J K News Today’s special report
Tiranga rallies in Kashmir , in which school children and others are seen marching through roads and streets with national tricolour in their hands offers glimpses into the change that the Valley has undergone in the recent times.
These rallies are more than events ahead of 76th Independence Day , these signal knock of a new era in which Kashmir wants to see itself in the days, months and years ahead.
Today- on Sunday , when thousands of people marched through boulevard in Srinagar , with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in lead , it was a wonderful spectacle , which the rest of the country could have aspired for not long ago, but never imagined that it could take shape of reality . The men were jostling with “ Tiranga” in their hands marching in full view with a sense of pride clearly visible on their faces , and a glimmer of new hope in their eyes.
Here, it is important to revisit the pages of history , particularly the days, when the Indian national troicolour was trampled , burnt and there were threats for all those who dared to defy the militants . A single instance tells its own story- it is indirectly related to the idea of India and celebrations of Independence Day. Mohammad Yusuf Halwai , a Kashmiri Muslim and National Conference activist in Srinagar, was shot dead on August 20 , 1989 , when he defied the militant group Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front’s call to observe black day and keep lights off on August 15 that year. This was his conviction, and faith in India that motivated him to do what he did , defy militants, to reiterate his Indian identity.
Perhaps, it is also important to note , that BJP had launched two yatras – one in January 1992 , and another in January 2011, with a pledge to hoist “ Tiranga”- national trocolour at Lal Chowk, historic square in Srinagar, with a twin purpose – ( a ) establish and reiterate Indian sovereignty to uphold the dignity of the tricolour , ( b) to avenge insult to the tricolour inflicted by militants and their sympathizers.
In January 1992 “ Ekta Yatra”, led by the then BJP chief Murli Manohar Joshi , did succeed to unfurl the tricolour at Lal Chowk . Today’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi was part of the Yatra . And on the eve of 76th Independence Day, Tiranga Yatras and Har- Ghar tiranga missions are inspired Prime Minister Modi’s vision , Kashmir is as vibrant participant as other states of the county . The message is loud and clear that constitutional and legal integration of J&K following the abrogation of Article 370 is transforming into an emotional and patriotic connect between Delhi and Srinagar , bridging all the gaps..
Tricolour is a pronounced symbol of this integration.
LG rightly pointed out to the people that today’s Tiranga rally must have answered all those who had declared that no one will hold tricolour in Kashmir – thousands have participated with vibrancy and enthusiasm. His reference was toward some of the political leaders , particularly PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti , who had declared , during her days as Chief Minister that if the Article 370 and 35 A were to be tampered with , India will not find a “ single shoulder to carry the Indian tricolour.”
Today’s images which emerged in Srinagar today not only the negative thoughts and ideas of the past, but also stood as an assertive demonstration as to in which the direction the winds were blowing – National Tricolour stands tall and supreme in Kashmir
