Lawless in
Srinagar
This article discusses a riot that
broke out in Srinagar, Kashmir during the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr. On
this day “separatists” are kept under house arrest for fear of causing a scene
at such a large gathering. Separatists Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar
Farooq were forced to stay in their homes on this day but somehow Farooq
managed by phone to make his voice known at Eid al-Fitr. He spoke his beliefs to
the largest congregation of prayers at the festival. Farooq proclaims to his
people that their government needs to resolve issues by accepting problems and
work for peace. Farooq states: “’ Imposing curbs on people and preventing them
from discharging their religious duties is interference in our religious
matters.’” A group of Farooq’s followers attack and burn a police jeep (three
police injured). Six men were arrested for the disturbance at Eid-al-Fitr, as
well as a twelve year old boy, Faizan Sofi.
Sofi was able to be imprisoned do
to Kashmir’s “state of exception”, which suspends the rule of law in the name
of security. The Public Safety Act allows the Indian government to arrest and distain
anyone “threatening public order”. This Act is estimated of causing 20,000
people to be detained over the past two decades. Faizan Sofi was sent to a
juvenile home for eight days; most minors arrested in Kashmir are sent to
prisons, not juvenile facilities. Sofi had his trial, and was released on bail because
the police had no proof of his involvement. The twelve year old returns home
eight days after Eid al-Fitr, but his father fears to send him to school
because Kashmir police follow Faizan Sofi. "Lawless in Srinagar" is an example of
religious division and conflict because the riot started due to a speech stating government is interfering with religious duties.
No comments:
Post a Comment