- “Kashmir issue is not to be handled by kids, it will be resolved politically”
- “Hartal, Curfew, Jihad etc words are carcinogenic for the roots of Kashmir”
JAMMU: Suggesting Kashmir youth to study well, have best education and stay away from drugs, Dr Heena Bhat advised the Kashmir youth that Kashmir issue is not to be handled by kids, it will be resolved politically. She said that the Hartal, Curfew, Jihad etc words are carcinogenic for the roots of Kashmir adding that ‘Hum Kya Chahtey Azadi’ is the deadliest line for Kashmir which has given us ‘graveyards.
While talking to Ajmer Alam Wani, Editor-in-Chief of JK Monitor (www.jkmonitor.org), Dr Heena Bhat, a strong woman who contested last assembly election as a BJP candidate from Kashmir, is not only pained by seeing Kashmir burning but also has an ambition to bring change in Kashmir believes that talking about things with what today's youth is not even concerned, is ruining future of Kashmir.
According to Dr. Heena, Kashmir has not right leadership which is resulting in loosing hundreds of loved ones every year and blamed the present leadership in Kashmir of misguiding and using embedded sentiment of Kashmiri for their own personal interests.
Dr Heena boldly says that shutdowns are not going to help Kashmir issue and asked what have we gained since decades of hartal protests, except loosing loved ones, Economy loss, depression, drug abuse, mental harassment of youth. Dr Heena wants her son and other kids to breathe in peaceful air and grow happily.
Stuck cause of unwanted social bonding, woman in Kashmir can bring change in the whole scenario, provided they are given wings to fly and support from family for doing best in every field, Dr Heena believe.
Here are few questions which JK Monitor asked Dr Heena and here is what she replied, we tried to present her views in original form without any unnecessary editing so her real message and emotions can reach in pure form to the readers.
Q: Being a doctor by profession, what compelled you to divert your career to be a politician, and what were the circumstances that played a role and influenced your decision?
Ans: I believe doctors serve people so does politics, but doctors are respected and politicians rarely respected. I was always interested in this field as my father late Mohammad Shafi Bhat, my mentor, my inspiration, my idol. I would always watch him doing best for people during peak militancy since 1990. I wanted to step into his shoe, his work, his idea of serving people, and my fathers’ health played major role.
Q: There were many political parties like National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Congress and others but what were factors that motivated you to join BJP?
Ans: National Conference (NC) leadership (Farooq Abdullah) changed in Kashmir, with rest of them I was not comfortable and PM influenced me to join BJP. His vision of development, Atal Ji’s peace process movement for India Pakistan. I sstrongly believe Kashmir issue will be somehow resolved during Modi Ji’s tenure. I thought things in Kashmir will change with change. My ideas match a lot with PM’s vision regarding Kashmir.
Q: What basic differences you see in the policies of BJP, NC, PDP Congress with regard to Kashmir?
Ans: There is huge difference in all parties in Kashmir. National parties’ vision is broader while rregional parties have only talked about history and are making history out of Kashmir every year.
Q: The Kashmir sees bloodbath and violence almost all the time, what according to you are real reasons that are making the Kashmir society to go for routine shutdowns and suffer each time?
Ans: Hartal, curfew, jihad etc words are carcinogenic for the roots of Kashmir. Talking about history, talking about things with what today's youth is not even concerned, is ruining future of Kashmir. Loosing hundreds of loved ones every year, reason is that they don’t have right leadership. Present leadership in Kashmir are misguiding them and have been using embedded sentiment of Kashmiri for their own personal interests. Shutdowns are not going to help Kashmir issue. What have we gained since decades of hartal protests, except loosing loved ones, Economy loss, depression, drug abuse, mental harassment of youth.
Q: What according to you, Kashmir issue or Kashmir problem is exactly, historically and presently?
Ans: Kashmir is a political issue .it is a topic globally only discussed; political parties take advantage of every issue for their interests. Who is talking about resolving the issue? Youth has to be guided for right path of education, success, normal life, which every Kashmiri deserves. We ourselves need to change the mindset, if we want our children, next generations to survive a normal peaceful life. Historically whatever has happened has happened, why we should suffer presently for past.
Q: Do you think the peace will rule the Kashmir and violence will disappear completely, what measures you suggest for it and who are the real stakeholders who can contribute in maintaining peace in Valley?
Ans: Why can't we think of bright future of Kashmir? If it hurts the sentiment of anyone that Kashmir is integral part of India let's speak India is integral part and is with Kashmir. Every Kashmiri belonging to any party, cast, creed, is stake holder undoubtedly. Politicians in Kashmir who have sold their souls to agencies are the ones who don’t want peace in Kashmir. Everybody is making money over dead bodies of Kashmiri and they are not outsiders.
Q: Being a Kashmiri woman, how you see the plight of women in Kashmir, is there need of any change in their thinking, perception, and living style or everything is up to mark?
Ans: Employment schemes for all sectors have to be introduced and upgraded. ‘Hum Kya Chahtey Azadi’ is the most deadly line for Kashmir which has given us‘graveyards ,’Zindagi Se Hi Azadi Dila Rahen Hain’. We need to change slogan. We all Kashmiris can bring this change. In all these decades women have suffered as mother loosing son, sister lost brother, wife lost husband, daughter lost father, half widows. Women been tortured by both. Women have suffered the most.
Q: How women of Kashmir can contribute in bringing everlasting peace in Kashmir valley?
Ans: I believe woman is strong and can bring change in the whole scenario. And I see lots of women are coming up. They are homemakers they can make their country as well. We need good education system for women. Shukar Alhamdulillah Kashmir is still safe regarding women as compare to other states. They should be given wings to fly, support from family for doing best in every field. Lots of girls, women want to bring the change but are stuck, because of unwanted social bonding.
Q: What message you would like to give to youngsters of Kashmir, especially girls and women?
Ans: My message is study well; Kashmir issue is not to be handled by kids. It will be resolved politically. Have best education, stay away from drugs, don want to see ‘Udta’ Kashmir.
Q: Tell us about yourself as person, a human being and what are your future plans for Kashmir Valley in particular?
Ans: As a person I am very strong woman, I will be in politics for rest of my life. Will bring change in Kashmir. Can't see Kashmir burning. I want my son and other kids to breath in peaceful air and grow happily.