“Madam, he further says:
“Muslims have adopted the approach of killing every Hindu in the valley. I will eliminate those (Muslims) first”.
(Interruptions) “If they adopt the approach of killing the Hindus, I will eliminate them first”, (Interruptions) “Madam, he is being vindictive. (Interruptions) N.K.P.SALVE: “Madam, these are the utterances of a Governor of this country. These make me ashamed of my country, (interruptions). I am ashamed of myself, I am ashamed of being an Indian where there is a Governor who can talk all these things with venom (interruptions). How to tolerate this kind of a thing? Now, what does he say further?
The superiority of the Hindu race “On being reminded that a minuscule percentage of Kashmiri Pandits has exploited the majority Muslim population for decades, Mr. Jagmohan remarked. ‘It is a matter of facility. Can one help if the Hindus are more intelligent and capable than the Muslims? That does not mean that the Hindus can be killed”.
- SHIV SHANKER: What a perception (Interruptions)
N.K.P. SALVE: “What a perception, what intelligence and what brilliance: Is there no such thing as Indian ethos? (Interruptions) Is there no such thing which is the heart of the Constitution of this country? What are we doing to our secular values? We are throwing them overboard in such a manner and with this type of things which are only helping the people shedding crocodile tears in Pakistan and elsewhere?”
Jagmohan rewarded for “good work”
It is interesting to note that most Indian newspapers blacked out the incidents of excesses by the security forces raised by Prof. Soz and others in the Parliament. This, in tum, confirms P.H.R.O’s old characterization of Indian Democracy namely that all Democratic institutions are “for”, “by” and “of” the upper Hindu castes. These institutions are of marginal use for the minorities. Also, Jagmohan’s views are not the views of an isolated crank but represents the very psyche of India’s ruling establishment. That is why no enquiry into the excesses in Kashmir has been instituted. On the contrary, Jagmohan has been rewarded by the ruling establishment with a nomination to the upper house of Indian Parliament.
Since the main theme of P.H.R.O’s enquiry is the incidents of May 21 we got hold of Satish Jacob, a B.B.C. Correspondent who frequently visits Srinagar and is lucky to be allowed to work there. Given below is Dr. Rajinderpal Singh’s interview with Satish:
- Satish Sahib, as an eyewitness, would you like to say something on the killing of people by the security forces on Mirwaiz Maulvi Farooq’s funeral procession?
Ans; Mirwaiz Maulvi Farooq had been in touch with me on telephone since Jagmohan took over as Governor in January, 1990. He used to discuss with me the situation in Kashmir. I too went to Srinagar almost every fortnight and met him. He had issued a few public statements on the Kashmir situation Pro Pak groups behind the murder
Owing to Mirwaiz’s stand, a few Muslim groups were angry with him. The Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front and 57 associate groups favour independence from India.
They are secular people. They are opposed to Kashmir being driven to Islamic fold. There are certain other groups such as Hizbul Mujahideen, Allah Tigers, Al Khomeini, that have been floated by JammatEIslami. Kashmir’s JamaateIslami and Pakistan’s JamaateIslami work hand in hand. They want Kashmir to be a part of Pakistan. As soon as J.K.L.F. leader Amanullah announced at a press conference in February Kashmir’s future status to be independent of Pakistan the latter cut off arms support to members of J.K.L.F. Pakistan diverted that support to the Jamaat groups. Consequently Hizbul Mujahideen acquired new muscle power. .Maulvi Farooq was chairman of the Awami Action Committee as well as Mirwaiz of Kashmir. The Mirwaiz was opposed to Faroog Abdullah as well as his father, Sheikh Abdullah. Thus he was in conflict with the approach adopted by the Abdullah family.
- But there was rapprochement between the two groups and they wanted to jointly contest elections 2
Ans: Yes temporarily. One thing that is not widely known is the fact that Mirwaiz always talked in terms of an independent Kashmir.
Mirwaiz’s anguish over migration
Q: Even when he had an understanding with Farooq Abdullah?
Ans: Yes, always. The Mirwaiz was in favour of referendum and a firm settlement of the dispute, one way or the other. At the same time, the Mirwaiz was a moderate man. For instance, when Hindus started migrating from Kashmir the Mirwaiz phoned me to express his regret over the phenomenon. He was at a loss to know as to why the Hindu brethren were leaving.
Q When was it? During the Abdullah regime?
Ans: No, no, I am talking of the Jagmothan period
Q: Before Jagmohan’s arrival or after his departure?
Ans: Are you not aware that Kashmir Hindus started migrating after Jagmohan’s induction? Which Hindu left the valley earlier? This pained Maulvi Sahib and he issued several statements. His moderate approach was a source of annoyance to the followers of the Jammat.
Militants were gunning for Mirwaiz
Even before his death, the Mirwaiz had to face attacks thrice or four times. He escaped those attacks. Once his jeep was set on fire. All the attacks were engineered by these people. The morning the Mirwaiz was done to death three youths visited his residence. They said they wanted to meet the Mirwaiz. They entered his room and killed him. All these youths were Kashmiris.
Q:But some people, notably the Mirwaiz’s brother, say that the killers were not Kashmiri’s but were Hindi speaking youths,
Ans: All this is untrue. I can explain to you the rationale. Terror is so all pervading that none dares call a spade a spade. I shall do the same where it for me to face the kind of situation obtaining there.
NonKashmiri assailants? Nonsense!
Those who say the attackers were not Kashmir’s are telling lies. They are issuing statements under duress. Once you take them into confidence, they will come out with the entire story. They are known. Even their identity is known.
Q: No organisation owned responsibility for the killing.
Ans: Let me tell you why? For one thing, no leader has control over the situation. These elements felt shaken when they abducted and killed Kashmir University Vice Chancellor MushirulHaque. The Kashmiri people did not like the killing. They resented it.
‘Thus there was some realization of the mistake. the same is true of the killing of Maulvi Sahib. There is a feeling among senior militant leaders that a wrong has been done. They appear to be in fear of being associated with secessionist groups.
G.O.I gained nothing from Maulvi’s death
That is why they are concealing the truth and making it appear that the murder is the handiwork of Government agents.” How could we kill Maulvi sahib? he was our leader. Why should we kill him,” so runs the explanation. But one may pose the counter question: of what avail was Maulvi’s killing to the Government? My answer is none.
Q: What about the chowkidar’s statement that he followed the culprits up to the police post? That the police even after they had seen them looked the other way?
Ans: Rubbish.
Q The chowkidar’s version has been repeated by The Guardian London, as quoted by the National Herald.
Ans; No, no all this is absurd. Those youth were Kashmiris and the police post was no where near. I have myself surveyed the area. All the same, the whole world knows who killed Maulvi Sahib. It is different that no one is willing to tell the truth. The show of sorrow is spurious
But, if you talk individually person to person, the truth will be out. Even otherwise, the Maulvi was accused of being an Intelligence Bureau (IB) or the Central Bureau of Investigation (C.B.1) agent. Let me tell you none of the militant groups felt a debit sad about Maulvi’s death. Not to the extent they pretended to be. All the show of sorrow is spurious.
Q In other words, the militants used even this tragedy to their advantage!
Ans: Yes, that is something unique! The militants are adept at using everything to their advantage.
Q: What about the firing on the moumers?
Ans: I am coming to that. The security forces are wholly at fault. There is absolutely no reason or justification for the firing. None, at all! I went there. I spoke to 3040 persons. I spoke to the CRPF and the police people as well. I also interviewed the people living in the neighborhood of the place of the incident. I have recorded all these interviews.
Mourners offered no provocation
There is no evidence whatsoever that there was any provocation prior to the firing or anyone from the crowd made any firing.
Q: Does that mean that the Prime Minister’s statement in Parliament that militants fired on the policemen was false?
Ans: Yes, a lie, a white lie. Iam also in possession of Jagmohan’s recorded statement to the effect that he could not explain to me as to why the police firing took place. Jagmohan also admitted that 69th Battalion responsible for firing had been withdrawn.
The guilty battalion is “withdrawn”
If the CRPF was not to be blamed why were they withdrawn? Jagmohan also ordered an enquiry (departmental) to find out as to why the firing was resorted to by the CRPF. No such order was passed earlier, VP Singh told the Parliament that there was a two way firing. When we drew VP Singh’s attention to Jagmohan’s statement, he first kept quiet and then said, “I cannot say anything about that. “If the Governor is not aware of the two way firing then how could the PM vouchsafe for that? Had there been a two way firing a few security personnel would have been harmed. At least some would have received a scratch each!
Q: The Government said a Commandant and four CRPF men had been injured.
Ans: False. Utterly false. I told them I wanted to see the Commandant. Which hospital he was admitted in? What were the CRPF men’s identity numbers? They could tell nothing.
Ved Marwaha is ignorant!
Shall I tell you something more interesting? Ved Marwaha is advisor to the Governor. When newsmen went to ask him why the police firing was resorted to near the Islamia College, Marwaha could tell nothing. “Where did the firing take place?” he asked. Only teargas had been used, he pleaded. When we said, “fifty persons have been killed there” he was surprised. He said he was not aware of the firing. When the Advisor did not know about the firing, how could the Prime Minister make such assertive statements in Parliament?
Let me tell you, what really happened. The Maulvi was injured at 11 am and he was at once removed to the hospital. The hospital is located at Saura. The Maulvi Sahib breathed his last on the way. Several bullets had riddled his body. There was no way to save the Maulvi Sahib. Since Saura is not far from the place of the incident, people who heard about the incident started gathering there. The mourning started. The people were crying. They asked for the dead body. Despite doctor’s refusal, the public forcibly picked up the body. They started moving with chants “Allah hoo Akbar.”
C.R.P.F. Intercepts mourners
There were three police interception posts between the hospital and the Islamia College. All these posts were manned jointly by the CRPF, the Military and the Border Security Force.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 21, 1990
