SRINAGAR: At exactly 8am, CRPF hoisted the Indian Tricolour at Lal Chowk in the heart of Srinagar on Independence Day. At 3.45pm, Lal Chowk wore a totally different look. Hundreds of slogan-shouting protesters swarmed the area and at 4pm and planted the flags of Jamaat-e-Islami (which looks like the Pakistani flag) and the terrorist outfit, Hizb-ul Mujahideen, on top of the same tower where the Indian flag had been hoisted.
If one were to go by the symbolism of the spectacle at Lal Chowk, the valley’s alienation from the Indian Union seemed complete. One of the slogans of the protesters drove the message home — Jiyo, jiyo Pakistan, hum hain Pakistani . Other slogans included Islam Zindabad , Lad ke lenge azadi and Allah-u-Akbar .
The crowds had a free hand through much of Friday. They were aggressive in their gestures, but did not resort to violence. Driving around the city, it was obvious that CRPF’s presence was vastly reduced, especially in old the Srinagar area. Police too remained mere onlookers as the protesters kept jumping and screaming slogans at Lal Chowk for at least 20 minutes.
In the evening, though, there was news of police firing in the Habba Kadal area. More than 20 protesters were injured. Between 8pm and 9pm, the city observed a blackout — rather was forced to do so as activists went around enforcing it at buildings where lights were switched on.
What happened to the Indian national flag at Lal Chowk? Prabhakar Tripathi, t
RE:J&K: Tricolour at 8am, flags of separatists at 4pm
by neeti mehta on Aug 18, 2008 12:36 PM
The first thing should be done right now is to kick the protesters out of kashmir,who are asking for azadi.kashmir mein rehkar agar unhe indian union se azadi chahiye to chodo kashmir aur jao pakistan,waise bhi chila rae hona hum pakistani hai,,to phir kashmir mein kya kar-rahe ho..kashmir india ka TAJ hai..
India has come a long way in its 61 years of independence but still has a long way to go. It has made strides at the bottom but the top has not changed.
It still takes years to get JUSTICE (phrase is justice delayed is justice denied),
BEAUROCRACY: red tape is lot less than before since more people are willing to pay based on a set price list for services, and
POLIYICian is still a dirty word (their interests are above those of the nation).
J&K was returing to somwhat guarded normalcy when Amarnath Issue happened. Azad made a big mistake of doing something when situation was SUPERHOT, all it needed was a catalyst to start boiling.
PDP is one party that should have been banned even before SIMI as its leaders have ulterior motives that are Anti India. They made a issue of a non-issue.
BJP/VHP/RSS should be banned for being a party made of people who do not have any inkling on how to handle a country. All they know is HINDU, HINDUISM and HINDUSthan. They are not anti India but radically Hindustani. Extreme right or left is always bad for a multi cultural society.
At this time Amarnath agitation should be called off, things simmer down ( it will again take few years) and then move forward. Othewise J&K will remain a hot spot that it has been for the last so many years. When J&K will have good economy, only then things will cool down and no catalyst or person can break the communal harmony in J&K.
RE:India & J&K
by Shake Hasina on Aug 16, 2008 07:54 AM
Is it not a shame that at 4:00 PM on Friday, August 15, 2008 there was not a single sharp shooter posted by the CRPF or the Indian army atop any building around Lal Chowk in Srinagar !?!
Why was the ghost of Benazir Bhutto allowed to have a field day ?!?
Why was the Indian Tricolour lowered during the day while from the same tower 'desh drohees' had could be seen painting the town in mossy green ?!!!?
I really wonder how we made Hindi as a National language. Hindi/Urdu were the same language before 1800's after which, Hindi followed brahmi script and Urdu (right to left way).
For a South Indian, we see Hindi/Urdu is same and we should make some other south Indian language as National language.
The author may have a helicoptor view due to positions held, but these are facts of life. Nations are like individuals, dependent on others. US is a country others love to hate. Either way, it will continue to play an integral part. No other country has as much influence & they are still the one to look upto, sorry to put it bluntly,to save the world. They discuss all in transparency & are self-critical. Nothing is swept under the carpet. Russia was our ally during cold war. But Solhenytsin, a devout communist, brought out to the open the brutal Stalinist regime he suffered, though he loved his country. Even now the earthquake victims in China suffer in silence during Olympic glory to avoid incurring the wrath of others!
We are independent except in energy. That can be solved even without nuclear energy if there is a will! US is getting into the act with plans to reduce imported oil by 10 million barrels/day. With solar, wind etc we can cut the umbilical cord slowly. That still requires outside technology not to re-invent the wheel!
Let us take the initiative & co-operate with all against the common enemy, terrorism. Majority anywhere are against this scourge including muslim countries. For that our divisive politics should be bridled with common nationalism. No harm in taking some lessons from China where certain issues are inalienable, like protection of citizens & country at any cost.
Let us square up than be defeatist. Face up to issues than cower!
Without preserving hinduism there cannot be Indian nationalism period Secularim and Nationalism cannot go together. Its an oxymoron. There are 51 countries who are democratic but under the purview of judeo-christian principle.They don't allow temples or mosques or pagodas to mushroom. There are 29 hardcore muslim fanatic countries who have 0 tolerance against other religions. Even, try figuring a single moderate mulsim country like Turkey or Malaysia where hindusim is being flourished.. Absolutely none. They are state controlled. Why India should be an exception. We are hindus first then so called foreign coined term "Indian" ? Why should we be accomodative to other invaders ? Takling of secularism and democracy is a sign of weakness and timidity. Got it? I would stand 100% behind hindu balinese or a nepali than a indian muslim.
RE:We are hindus first. That realization is important.
by Amrendra on Aug 16, 2008 06:36 AM
That is a very narrow minded approach to life, you got there. Today in the period of globalization, and global problems, intolerance towards foreign immigrants or favoring some more than the others would only hurt the progress of our nation and eventually the world. Why should we look at other countries and their policies? We are open minded and progressive Indians, we have and always will help the world in any form that we can. Even if it means sharing our homeland with people in need. We should trust in God and walk on his path of helping eachother out. We are Indians, no matter how much we have suffered, or are suffering we will never turn our back on any person or religion. This will be our legacy.
RE:RE:We are hindus first. That realization is important.
by Infidel Blogger on Aug 16, 2008 06:39 AM
Another recipe for disaster. India needs to weed out cowards like you first. Stop following anti-hindu media outlets. Do you think US or Europe would have progressed by allowing millions of jehadis and madrasas in their soil. They have an identity and limit for religious tolerance. Unfortunately, India lacks one. Hindu awareness is a must for 800 million.
RE:We are hindus first. That realization is important.
by AK on Aug 16, 2008 07:53 AM
Who are you calling Hindus? Are these the same people you would have called Hindus 200 or 500 years ago?
RE:We are hindus first. That realization is important.
by Alex on Aug 16, 2008 07:12 AM
If you are an Aryan, then even you have to quit out of my country. Because you are the bloody beggars who brought caste system in to my unified India. Get last one for all you, Muslims and other social evils.
RE:We are hindus first. That realization is important.
by Proud Hindustani on Aug 16, 2008 06:30 AM
TIME TO START "QUIT BHARAT/HINDUSTAN" MOVEMENT FOR ANTI HINDUSTAN MUSLIMS. SIMILAR TO "QUIT INDA" MOVEMENT FOR BRITISH.
WAKE UP INDIA... JOIN YOUR BROTHERS TO SAVE YOUR HERITAGE
DECLARE A ALL INDIA BANDH IN SOLIDARITY OF OUR HINDU BROTHERS IN JAMMU. ONE FOR ALL ALL FOR ONE.
Why is the rest of the country quiet? All Hindus through out India must join the struggle and show solidarity by declaring an ALL INDIA bandh. Support our brothers in Jammu and Kashmir. Read my post above-choices.
SINCE WHEN DO INDIANS/HINDUS NEED PERMISSION TO..... use their land as they see fit? Its our country and we can build any shrine, temple, mandir, gurudwara, etc anywhere from Kailash Pravat to Sri Lanka.
This strife MUST continue and no compromise should be made. Otherwise every mosque should be destroyed one by one.
FREEDOM OF CHOICE FOR MUSLIMS IN KASHMIR/INDIA
Muslims in Kashmir/iNDIA should be given three choices: 1. If you do not pledge loyalty to India in heart and action-you will be provided a one way ticket to any muslim country that will accept you. 2. Convert back to the religion of your ancestors-Hinduism or Buddhism or Sikhism or Jainism. 3. If the above two are NOT acceptable you will be arrested and put to work in building the Indian roads and infrastructure.
POTA and TADA must be put into execution IMMEDIATELY.
RE:We are hindus first. That realization is important.
by Infidel Blogger on Aug 16, 2008 06:36 AM
Hindus are still in their slumber. Heavy brainwashing has been done by leftist anti-hindu media, bollywood,Nehru-Gandhi family,Congress and missionaries from last 61 years. Another bloody revolution against foreign invaders can save India. Gandhian policy of revolution will ruin us. Its weakness.
The dark and evil shadow of terrorism was NOT hanging over the the aam aadmi head. Today NO public spectator event the world over CANNOT be conducted without the fear of an terrorist attack. We may deny it, but the terrorist have won the psychological war. This disease can ONLY be destroyed when every citizen of the free world act as vigilantes. The muslim ghettos have to be broken so that the terrorists/illegals/anti Indians have NO place to hide and plan the attacks.
Independence celeberation is not the right spot/event to speak and celeberate one man's or few men victory. There are seperate events/awards to felicitate their victory. It was quite suprising me to note a qualified author's regrets over the missing felicitation of the "Game" winners. Offcourse it is a commendable job and we should be proud of those winners.
RE:RE:Muslims & christians are terrorists
by Rakesh Kumar on Aug 17, 2008 12:20 AM
to surya, Biggest terrorists are the christians. Then comes muslims, jews & sikhs. In the last 300 years alone christians have murdered atleast 200 million people, muslims atleast 30 million, jews atleast 10 lakhs and sikhs atleast 5 lakh. Hindus, buddhists and jains are normal human beings.
1. Kashmir is an integral part of india. 2. If there is any issue of kashmir, it is the issue of pakistan occupied kashmir. 3. Those who believe kasmhir should be independant, they should let other indians(only) know what they dont get by remaining with india and what they will do after independance. 4. Those who think Kashmir should be part of pakistan, write indivisual letters to the government, the government should arrange for their deportation to pakistan at their expence, or kill each one of them if they dont go. 4. Those who believe india is only for Hindus, they should first know there is no religion called Hindu, it was muslim who gave them hindu identity. 5. Indian constitution is more important and be given highest respect, not any other religions document no matter how important it is or how (many) people belive in it. 6. article 340( or whatever) should be scrapped immidiately. 7. No hindu personal law or muslim personal law, there is only one law that is defined by the constitution. 8. Kashmir must get more industry, roads energy at the higest priority. 9. Army should be deployed only on the borders. 10. Only kashiri police should be handling kashmiri affairs. 11. Indian Media should be given free access to kashmir and they should be truthful while doing their job. 12. If there are any human rights vialoation, evry person that does must be punished, irrespective of his cadre, stature, religion. 13. Kashmiri pandits, should live wherever they live to
RE:KAshmir
by Prashant on Aug 16, 2008 02:02 AM
13. Kashmiri pandits, should live wherever they live today as I consider them responsible for today's "muslim dominant kashmir". 14. All the organizations RSS, SIMI, Huriyat must be banned for spreding communal hatred.
We are "Bharatiya" fisrt then Hindu, Muslim, kashmiri, bengali, brahmin, chamar. Bahujan hitay bahujan sukhay. Let us work towards developing a nation where veyone enjoys, liberty, equality and fraternity.
RE:KAshmir
by NIKHIL ARYA on Aug 16, 2008 02:26 AM
I am theer with you bro...I agree to your view point, itt very well said. Its everyone's indiviual decision to accpet useless acts of RSS, SIMI or Hurriyat etc...well STand up for change in country now ppl.....its a humble request..
RE:KAshmir
by Infidel Blogger on Aug 16, 2008 05:02 AM
Secularim and Nationalism cannot go together. Its an oxymoron. There are 51 countries who are democratic but under the purview of judeo-christian principle.They don't allow temples or mosques or pagodas to mushroom. There are 29 hardcore muslim fanatic countries who have 0 tolerance against other religions. Even, try figuring a single moderate mulsim country like Turkey or Malaysia where hindusim is being flourished.. Absolutely none. They are state controlled. Why India should be an exception. We are hindus first then so called foreign coined term "Indian" ? Why should we be accomodative to other invaders ? Taling of secularism and democracy is a sign of weakness and timidity. Got it? I would stand 100% behind hindu balinese or a nepali than a indian muslim.
RE:KAshmir
by Proud Hindustani on Aug 16, 2008 04:53 AM
WAKE UP INDIA... JOIN YOUR BROTHERS TO SAVE YOUR HERITAGE
DECLARE A ALL INDIA BANDH IN SOLIDARITY OF OUR HINDU BROTHERS IN JAMMU. ONE FOR ALL ALL FOR ONE.
Why is the rest of the country quiet? All Hindus through out India must join the struggle and show solidarity by declaring an ALL INDIA bandh. Support our brothers in Jammu and Kashmir. Read my post above-choices.
SINCE WHEN DO INDIANS/HINDUS NEED PERMISSION TO..... use their land as they see fit? Its our country and we can build any shrine, temple, mandir, gurudwara, etc anywhere from Kailash Pravat to Sri Lanka.
The Buddha statues blasted by the nuts taliban should be rebuilt piece by piece. This strife MUST continue and no compromise should be made. Otherwise every mosque should be destroyed one by one.
FREEDOM OF CHOICE FOR MUSLIMS IN KASHMIR/INDIA
Muslims in Kashmir/iNDIA should be given three choices: 1. If you do not pledge loyalty to India in heart and action-you will be provided a one way ticket to any muslim country that will accept you. 2. Convert back to the religion of your ancestors-Hinduism or Buddhism or Sikhism or Jainism. 3. If the above two are NOT acceptable you will be arrested and put to work in building the Indian roads and infrastructure.
POTA and TADA must be put into execution IMMEDIATELY. Scrap article 370.
We were poor. The difference was only leftists VS Rightists in terms of economics. Now we are more prosperous due to liberalisation but very divided on caste and religion basis. How I wish we had the India of yesterday and prosperity of today.
