We, as Kashmiris, have had enough of this rhetoric. Hence, we reject any form of writing, drawing, or social media post that attempts to divide us, destabilize us, and push us back into a state of turmoil. Our peace, progress, and unity are what matter most, and we will not allow anyone to disrupt that.
Israar Shahid
It takes considerable effort and nuance to portray an accurate image of Kashmir and its political situation, even for those living within the Valley—let alone for someone residing far away. The trend of leaving Kashmir to settle in cozy, sophisticated environments and then proclaiming oneself as a commentator on Kashmir’s affairs is not new. This phenomenon dates back to figures like Aga Shahid Ali, a renowned poet who left Kashmir during its peak turmoil and subsequently wrote about it from London. While I usually pay little attention to such self-styled commentators and their rhetoric, a recent post on X (formerly Twitter) by Mir Suhail Qadri caught my eye. In this post, he shared a cartoon featuring the renowned Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh, who is currently in Kashmir. The cartoon depicts Diljit with open arms and closed eyes, surrounded by three falcons, with the scene being watched on a phone screen. Above the screen, the text reads “Bollywood in Kashmir,” with an arrow pointing to Diljit’s head labeled “Sukoon.” The falcons are partially emerging from the phone screen, their legs shackled, while the white background includes an arrow with the caption “Whitewashing the Oppression.” Intrigued by this depiction, I questioned how someone living on the other side of the world could claim to understand or represent the realities of Kashmir. To delve deeper, I decided to connect with some fellow Kashmiris to gauge their reactions to this cartoon and its implications.
When I posed this question to a young Kashmiri author, Imran Dar, who hails from Srinagar, he responded with profound disappointment. He said, “Israar, this is exactly what has caused more harm to common Kashmiris than anything else. Mir Suhail, who was born and raised in Srinagar—where life is already far more privileged than in our villages—has always lived comfortably. He worked with local newspapers here, earning a livelihood by promoting narratives that suited his masters at the time. Now, having moved to the US and settled into a comfortable married life, why should we, who live the realities of Kashmir every day, accept his narrative?” Imran further added, “The issue of Suhail is not whether Kashmiris are suffering or not. The real issue is that Mir Suhail can no longer manipulate or play out his and his masters’ divisive policies here in the Valley. That’s why he resorts to such nonsensical acts while living abroad.
During a discussion on the newly elected government, I unexpectedly posed the question to everyone present. One person who responded was Magray Babar. With frustration evident in his tone, he said, “Hum jaiseaam Kashmiri ladkon ko hameshabewakoofbanayagayahai” (Common Kashmiris like us have always been made fools of). He continued, “In the past four years, we’ve seen tremendous progress in every sector—whether it’s tourism, the economy, agriculture, or education. We attend our schools every day, and we understand the importance of peace because we haven’t experienced it for the past 70 years. So, how is it that someone who left Kashmir just before the abrogation can have a clearer picture of the region than we do?” He went on to firmly condemn Mir Suhail Qadri, stating, “I would never want this man back in Kashmir. Our peace is fragile, and we, the youth, are its protectors. At any cost, we cannot let it slip away, because we have already suffered enough. The opinions coming from the cozy rooms of New York about my Kashmir are not accepted.”
I called one of my friends, Beigh Firdous, who typically avoids politics and other such discussions, and explained the situation to him. I asked for his opinion on someone from the US commenting on the contemporary situation in Kashmir. Initially, he was shocked that such things even happen. He replied, “Israar Bhai, I’m from South Kashmir, which was once a hotbed of terrorism. I can’t even begin to explain how much we’ve lost in business due to the turmoil. It’s only in the last four years that we’re not just recovering from the past losses, but we’re actually running at a profit now.” He continued, “If someone sitting in the US makes a cartoon and titles that ‘whitewashes the oppression,’ I have one thing to say to them—stay out of our Kashmir. It’s ironic that someone who’s chosen the safety and comfort of the US tries to provoke unrest among Kashmiris. His distance from the Valley makes him ill-informed and unqualified to comment on our current state.” He further emphasized, “Neither can we afford anyone misrepresenting our valley, nor can we accept it. Hence, I reject Mir Suhail’s ill-informed, self-styled commentary on my Kashmir.” It is crucial that we, the people of Kashmir, not only protect the narrative but ensure it’s represented accurately. The truth of Kashmir lies with those who live it—not those who abandon it for comfort and then spread divisive rhetoric from afar.
While discussing this matter with a political analyst named Syed Showkat, he shared his experience of following Mir Suhail since his time as a senior art director at CNN News in Delhi. Syed told me that Mir had drawn a cartoon in February 2021 titled “Internet Ban in Kashmir,” where the figure’s eyes, nose, and mouth were sutured shut. The first fact check here is that 2G internet was functional at the time, and there was no full internet blockade. Secondly, in the context of Kashmir, internet shutdowns have played a pivotal role in controlling the surge in violence during periods of unrest. A simple cost-benefit analysis makes this clear—while internet bans are inconvenient, the loss of innocent lives due to street violence is far worse. Syed further noted, “Even if someone comments from the safety of a cozy environment, their words should promote harmony and peace. If they do the opposite, we, as common Kashmiris, will reject it.” We must understand that peace cannot be achieved through divisive rhetoric. For the common people of Kashmir, the truth is far more complex and nuanced than any simplistic narrative drawn from outside our region. The harm caused by such false representations only deepens the wounds of a society already struggling for peace and progress.
Adv. Tahir Lone, a geopolitical analyst, aptly observed, “Mir’s strategy appears to be an intelligent attempt to radicalize Kashmiri youth, who, after enduring years of turmoil, have begun to embrace peace and rebuild their lives. By attempting to divide communities on religious lines, Mir is trying to disrupt the delicate peace that many have fought so hard to achieve.” In April 2022, Mir Suhail drew a cartoon titled “Ramadhan in India”, depicting a Muslim offering Namaz on a prayer mat with sharp knives beneath it, pointed directly at the praying boy. This drawing was clearly designed to create a false narrative and sow discord, attempting to disturb the communal harmony that exists between different communities. During the month of Ramadhan, markets in India are always thriving, and our Hindu brethren not only wish us well but, in many cases, fast alongside us as a sign of solidarity. The reality on the ground is far from the divisive narrative Mir tries to project. It seems that when Mir failed to manipulate the Kashmiri youth, he turned to target the Muslim youth across the rest of India. As a common Kashmiri, I firmly reject the divisive policies of Mir Suhail, especially when they are being crafted from the comfort of cozy rooms in New York. Our peace is not something that can be toyed with from a distance, and it is high time that we, as Kashmiris, assert our right to a peaceful and harmonious life.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Mir Suhail claimed that the period after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 is considered a “Maatam” (mourning) in Kashmir due to the devastation of tourism and the economy. The irony is that he hasn’t been in Kashmir since August 1, 2019, yet he still feels entitled to have an opinion on a situation he hasn’t witnessed firsthand. The truth, however, tells a different story. Since 2019, Kashmir has witnessed the highest tourist footfall in its history. The iconic Ghanta Ghar at Lal Chowk is filled with tourists even at 2 a.m., and it’s almost impossible to get a room in any hotel in Srinagar today. Border tourism, too, is thriving like never before. These are the facts, ones that Mir Suhail conveniently overlooks in his efforts to create a false narrative about our situation. Through conversations with fellow Kashmiris—like those mentioned above—I’ve come to understand that we cannot allow anyone, especially those far removed from our reality, to manipulate our emotions and narratives. Mir’s attempt to radicalize the youth and destabilize Kashmir is not only misleading but dangerous. We, as Kashmiris, have had enough of this rhetoric. Hence, we reject any form of writing, drawing, or social media post that attempts to divide us, destabilize us, and push us back into a state of turmoil. Our peace, progress, and unity are what matter most, and we will not allow anyone to disrupt that.
The Writer is a student activist and can be reached at [email protected]
