TV discussions plunging to deplorable depths

I was on a panel discussion on Kashmir on Monday evening meant to discuss the NIA taking action against some of the Hurriyat leaders. I have been on many such debates in the past few months and I know by now most of the voices dominating TV news channels which vociferously seek to teach a ‘lesson of their lives’ to people from Kashmir.

No matter who they are, separatists, activists, a vocal local supporter, an elected leader or an analyst based outside, they are often described on live Television as gaddar(quisling), Pakistan ke tukde pe jeene wale log(People surviving on crumbs from Pakistan), Pakistan ke talbe chaatne wale log( ass-lickers of Pakistan), aasteen ke saanp( a snake growing up one’s sleeves) being liberally used for such participants.

However, Monday’s debate plunged to a new low. It was a different level of hate and venom-spewing altogether. One of the participants was called ‘suar ke dalal’ (broker for pigs) by the BJP spokesperson because he was reminded by the participant that the BJP-PDP alliance had mentioned ‘dialogue’with everyone as a part of the agenda of alliance.

Next time the BJP spokesperson addressed a lady SC lawyer as ‘aatankwadi ki beti’ (daughter of a terrorist). What astounded me was that the lady’s brother who by that logic would be an ‘aatankwadi ka beta’ is part of the BJP government in Kashmir and is a Minister in the cabinet. The hypocrisy of the BJP is glaringly evident.

The empty chest thumping and TV studio warfare indulged by the Modi government has resulted in a volatile border and made our national security far more vulnerable. Gross mismanagement of the National Security apparatus has resulted in multiple terror attacks on our security forces, rise in infiltration and has plunged the sensitive border states of Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab and the North East into unwarranted volatility.

Since 2014, 13 major terror Attacks have taken place in Jammu and Kashmir which are direct attacks on our security establishment. In 3 years, 210 Jawans have been martyred, more than 100 civilians killed. 15,000 civilians, 4,000 security personnel injured & 32 schools burnt by militants.

Yet, peace eludes us. Self-contradictory posturing of the BJP on engaging with Hurriyat or freeing separatists like Masarat Alam or Asiya Andrabi, has blatantly exposed their hypocrisy for holding onto power at any cost. Terrorism must be fought relentlessly, intelligently and wisely, and without fear or favour. Terrorism can be fought only by a united people, not by a people divided by religion. Religious polarisation that is intrinsic to the value system of parties like the BJP severely erodes our capacity to combat terrorism.

Unfortunately, none of the TV channels are asking tough questions to the ruling party on the government's failure to handle the situation but are busy making one Indian fight another in the garb of finding a Kashmir solution.

I can't help recalling that it was Atal B Vajpayeeji as the PM who in his quest to find a solution to the Kashmir issue had spoken of Kashmiriyat, Insaniyat & Jamooriyat as the way forward. Now I wonder if he would have been labelled a traitor too by his very own party members and spokespersons for these words.

The BJP government's objective seems pretty clear that we want the territory of Kashmir but not the Kashmiris who come with it. A role of a spokesperson besides putting forward their party’s perspective is to also ensure that the spirit of engaging with opponents maintains the dignity it deserves. Our future generation is watching and the least we can give them is an example they can emulate and follow.

As a participant on many news channels discussing the conflict in Kashmir, I have personally found it difficult to express an opinion without being interrupted and seen the levels of discourse falling several notches lower every single day.

While I am all for discussion and healthy disagreement, I also strongly hold the view that disagreement cannot become an excuse for name calling and using unparliamentary language for people you do not agree with. The 3Ds of democracy- dissent, debate and disagreement cannot be trampled upon by those who do not believe in it.

The author is a spokesperson of the Indian National Congress