By Arif Bashir
The waters of Mata Khir Bhawani temple in central Kashmir have changed colour. From a red hue over the last three years, the waters looked a milky white this year during the Jethastami celebrations last Thursday.
Almost on cue, two days later the first anniversary of young Tufail Ahmad Mattoo’s death passed off peacefull and without much ado. This despite the fact that the Syed Geelani led Hurriyat had given a call for strike and a march to the Eidgah. Both seemed to have been ignored by the people in the Valley.
Mattoo was killed in a police teargas charge on June 11, which soon spiralled into a dance of death which saw 117 getting killed in Kashmir last year.
Syed Ali Shah Geelani who tried to ride the wave of violence last year by announcing a string of calendars of protest had asked the people to observe a complete strike on the day and had also announced a march to the Eidgah to pay homage to those killed in last year’s protests.
But that was not to be as people decided to ignore the call with shops, schools and other business establishments open in most areas of the Valley including parts of Srinagar city. However shops in Downtown and the city centre’s Lal Chowk remained closed while traffic plied on almost all roads.
While the state authorities had placed the Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani under house arrest to avoid any untoward incident, no strict security arrangements were seen in and around the city.
The ‘Eidgah March’ announced by the separatist leader too saw no response among the people of the valley as no attempt was even made to reach the Eidgah area of Srinagar city. The state government imposed no restrictions on vehicular or pedestrian movement.
Though Srinagar city as well as major towns and districts saw a calm day with no untoward incident recorded, a thin cover of CRPF and state police was kept on vigil at vital and protest-prone areas including Maisuma and Downtown areas of the city.
For traders and transporters it was business as usual as hundreds of foreign and domestic tourists went about business as usual.Talking to Current Nisar Ahmad Dar, a taxi driver was clear, “We have seen enough of hartal politics now we dont need any more of it” adding that there was a need to discourage such politics which threatened their earnings.Srinagar’s Mughal Gardens and health resorts in Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg witnessed an unprecedented rush of visitors – locals as well as outsiders who moved around freely.
“We have had a hassle free journey around the city today. We went around the Mughal gardens, visited the Dal Lake and were not stopped or hassled by anyone,” Ashok Mehta, a tourist was happy to point out.
But as a reminder of last year’s violence, Abdul Rashid Reshi, 38, who was shot by the CRPF in August and was in coma since, died at his home on the day. Reshi, a copper-smith from Samboora village was hit by a bullet on August 25, 2010 while he was downing the shutters of his shop.
Troops of the 183 Bn of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) had opened fire in which Reshi was in the head.
Thousands of Pandits who thronged the Mata Khir Bhawani temple at Tulmul Ganderbal in central Kashmir were happy too at the prospect of Kashmir having a prosperous year ahead. It is an age old belief held by Kashmiri Pandits that the temple pond changes colour. Each color holds a significant meaning.
This year the water appeared milky, an optimistic colour, according to the devotees, predicting peace and prosperity ahead. Interestingly the water in the pond had been turning red and pinkish during the last three years. Khir Bhawani is the most revered temple for the Pandits in the Kashmir valley.
“We have always believed that the changing color of the water here indicate the forthcoming season. It was red and pinkish during the last three years while this year it is milky. This is a positive sign and the year ahead will be prosperous and peaceful,” says Sham Lal, 76, who was here along with his family from Delhi.
Thousands of Pandits offered night long prayers to Goddess Ragnya Devi, popularly known as Khir Bhawani while Muslims from the neighboring villages carried on the tradition of offering them milk in earthen pots. Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra, lady Usha Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdulla were among those who visited the shrine.
Chairman of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front, Mohammad Yasin Malik was also seen mingling with Pandits at the shrine saying “Kashmir is incomplete without Pandits.” Malik has fallen in line with other separatist leaders including Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz in inviting the Pandits back to the valley.
The devotees too expressed their desire to return but only if the people wanted them back.“Political sloganeering and government claims are not enough. We need the people to accept that we have been a part and parcel of them,” Anil kumar, 44, pointed out.Asha Kumari, 55, too yearned to return to the valley and felt that no security would be needed if only the people are willing to accept them again.
Taej Kishan, an old man, said “I have lived most of my years in the valley and I want to breathe my last in my village. For this I need no invitation or approval. Let my neighbours come forward and call my name out loudly. I will be here.”