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Why Is My India Silent? ‘Neerja’ Actor Zahoor Writes on Kashmir

Abrar Zahoor, who played a hijacker in ‘Neerja’, gives us a first-person account of the bloodshed in the Valley. 

Updated
India
4 min read
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Hindi Female

I don’t know how to express in words my deep emotions about what I’m seeing in Kashmir. As an Indian citizen, my heart aches when they say anything against my country. But it’s extremely painful to see innocent people dying here everyday. On Tuesday, a 9-year-old kid was shot dead, which was justified saying that the kid was shot as he had a stone in his hand.

Is there any humanity left? How can anyone kill another human so cold-bloodedly? Be it an Indian official or anyone else, killing innocent people is just not acceptable.

Kashmir is my homeland. It’s one of the most beautiful places in India and is our pride. But now it’s turned into a graveyard. There is smoke everywhere and people dying every hour. All you see and hear these days are gunshots, vehicles being burnt and people being killed left, right and centre.

Where is my India? Who will back me? Why is my India is not raising its voice on the killing of civilians? Why there is no explanation for killing civilians? Should I wait for someone from my family to be killed before raising my voice?

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Where Is the Justice?

Do they know that those being killed are someone’s child, brother, sister or husband? How will the families bear it?

It’s not about killing a terrorist or a militant. It’s about bringing an end to all the violence and conflict that’s happening.

If we kill one terrorist today, his brothers or his friends may follow in his footsteps. By killing one, we are helping to produce 5 more terrorists who are more vengeful. Is this how it’s going to work? My heart sinks with grief when other countries criticise us and laugh at us as we fight amongst ourselves.

Kashmir is an integral part of the country. It’s our land. Every Indian should get involved in its issues and ask for explanations. The Constitution declares India a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic, assuring its citizens of justice, equality, and liberty, and endeavours to promote fraternity among them. Where is the justice here?

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Abrar Zahoor, who played a hijacker in ‘Neerja’, gives us a first-person account of the bloodshed in the Valley. 
Abrar Zahoor played a Palestinian hijacker in the movie Neerja. (Photo Courtesy: Twitter/@Theabrarzahoor)
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Stand Up for Humanity

We Indians are considered to have a strong value system, and every time I think about the current situation in Kashmir, I question myself. Why has it gone missing? Why don’t they ask whose mistake it is? Why don’t they question why lakhs and lakhs of people came onto the roads to protest? Are all those people wrong? Who is right then?

I don’t want to know who is wrong. I just want it to be right. Do whatever it takes and somehow stop all the bloodshed. I don’t want people to die anymore. I don’t want a mother to lose her son or a son to lose his father. Women are getting raped. What kind of punishment is this?

We all have to stand up for a cause. If not for the country or for a religion, for humanity. Just think if this was happening in your city. I feel handicapped here. I feel choked. I’m unable to move. It’s disappointing and disheartening.

For the last 2 days they have declared a shoot-on-sight order. Really? What am I? Where am I? Shoot on sight? They will kill me if I’m seen on the road? Who will kill me? This is my home and these are the people our government has kept for our security. They will kill me? What kind of security it is? Is this the ultimate solution? When will all this stop? More than dust, there is blood on the road!

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Bring Back Peace to the Valley

I remember back in 2010, there was curfew declared for more than 3 months. They say it will be worse this time. This means my dad can’t carry on his business for the next 3 months. It also means no one will get food supplies. What kind of democracy is this? Where is our media? What are our headlines these days in the newspapers? Being in Kashmir, I smile looking at those headlines. I cry seeing Indian officials dying in the line of duty. Ultimately it’s a loss for humanity!

I said “Hello” to a CRPF official this morning and he was shocked that I greeted him. May be no one has ever greeted him before out of fear. I asked him about the situation. His response was “Hum bhi dukhi, public bhi dukhi aur khuda bhi hum se dukhi.” (We are sad, the public is sad and god is also sad.) I Wish I could explain his expression when he said this. He turned his head and left!

I am very anxious about how I can leave my parents and family alone in such a situation. But I have to go as my work is in Mumbai. I guess that’s what I have learnt from my dad. How to be strong – mentally and emotionally!

Where are my friends who have prayed for Paris, Gujarat, Mumbai, US and Iran? Why is my India not praying for Kashmir? I conclude here, wiping all my tears and joining my hands, praying and requesting for just one thing – a solution without killing and bloodshed and to bring back peace and harmony in Kashmir.

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Topics:  Kashmir   Protests   Violence 

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