By Farzeen Amin

We as people view the world through different lenses. The same world occurs as differently to different groups of people. The world conflicts are the prime example of this difference of opinions such as the Taiwan conflict, Palestine Conflict, and Kashmir conflict. For some people, the conflicts are acts of terrorism and for the other, it’s the right of self-determination. One group stands with aggressors and the other with victims. So how will we ever evaluate who is right and who is wrong?

The lenses we wear are formed mostly by the media which includes mainstream media, film industry, news views, infotainment, and newly included social media. The Kashmir conflict is on the rise again after recent Pulwama attacks. The Indian Government is adamant to isolate Pakistan diplomatically without any investigation of the Pakistani government’s involvement in the attacks. However, a radical group in Pakistan is said to have taken the responsibility of the attack.

According to Indian media, as the result of attack 40 paramilitary persons have been killed and it has left many injured. The conflict although has brought the hardest time for the civilians in Indian Occupied Kashmir and the Kashmiri students in different parts of India. The grieving Indians are crazily beating the Kashmiri students and the civilians are openly butchered in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

So what now? The Indian government and media are calling it the worst attack on the army in ages as the act of terrorism. Who is the authority of defining what terrorism is?  The killing of young and innocent civilians is not terrorism? Sending RAW agents to Balochistan with million dollars to charge the separatist movement in the region is not terrorism? Use of Pallet guns on civilians and journalist is not terrorism?

The Indian Government is about not open yet another propaganda of attacks on Pakistan like their so-called Surgical Strike. The narrative Pakistan, India and the civilians of Indian Occupied Kashmir have adopted is faulty and it has proved ineffective to change the face and fate of Kashmir. The blame game, water blockage, war calls, rapid firing and attacks have added nothing but the further rift in the two nuclear states. The people of Kashmir are the victim of the entire scenario but they have also contributed to increasing the conflict with the continuous quarrels the military personals.

Here we need to ponder over what can be the possible solution to the long-standing conflict. I believe that we all need to change our narrative towards Kashmir. The terror attacks, wars, and false propaganda are not the answer to it. We need to groom the people of Kashmir with education. Only their voice on the international platforms can beat the false Indian propaganda portrayed through their news agencies and film industry.

Pakistan needs to use the media effectively and engage the international public in the conflict which has not been done effectively before. The hate from both sides is actually counterproductive. India and Pakistan must negotiate the provisions on the table rather than on the war fields. The states must stop taking the political advantage from the prevailing situation which is inciting nothing but violence.

The ethnic cleansing of Muslims in Kashmir can only be voiced through, diplomacy, media, social media and film industry as it is the era of hybrid warfare. The world needs to see the other side of the story they are told by Indian media. Finally, on the humanitarian ground, we must not mock the death of any person. The motive of the article is not to endorse any kind of terrorism as Pakistan is a peace-loving state and we condemn any and every act of terrorism.

Let’s send books and funds for education to the other side of the border, let’s show the real picture of Kashmir to the world together and let’s ask Kashmiri’s to rise with degrees and skills rather than stones and weapons. Let’s do more than just putting a lame status on Kashmir Day.

Also read: https://www.careerkarwan.com/articles/the-spring-in-syria