Decoding Spirit of Independence

Even with a tight security jacket in place, the South Asian subcontinent is into celebration mode with India and Pakistan commemorating the 60th Independence Day.

For both countries the event of celebrations is ’independence’ and the difference is formal commemoration of annual event is of just one night. However, this one night makes a hell of difference and that difference can been seen in security canopy overshadowing all elements of celebration.

It has been a precedence that when Pakistan celebrates its day, the address of the country’s leader is always laced with abhors and loathes for India. How much such avowals are actually required by the peoples of Pakistan is yet to be discovered but the visible elite finds bliss in anti-India rhetoric. And 24 hours later when the Indian leader reaches the ramparts of Red Forte, rejoinder to previous day’s diatribe becomes almost imminent.

This tradition has been in place ever since India and Pakistan got freedom from the British oppression and simultaneously entered into a bitter addiction of mutual suspect –dampening the spirit of freedom and halting the process of growth. Who is to blame for this is much obvious.

While the rhetoric has been a part of celebration for the 60th straight year; ever since Jammu and Kashmir came under a bloody trap of militancy, some incident of violence to coincide the Independence Day has been seen as a permanent feature. Whatever, security measures may be in place; terror has always come with an element of surprise.

The celebration of the spirit of independence has many hues. As Pakistan had her day today, the Pak Rangers this morning walked upto to the International Border near here to offer sweets to their Indian counterparts –the BSF. True to the official protocol, the officers hugged each other and greeted on the occasion in RS Pura sector near here.

This line stretches very long. Dividing people, at some place this is called International Border while at other places, more sensitive though, it is called Line of Control. So, true to the united spirit of history and divided bruises of destiny, on one end of the line there were warm hugs while on the other end there were some skirmishes. A couple of hours after the warmth at IB in RS Pura sector, a Jawan of Indian Army sustained injuries at the LoC in Poonch sector. Identified as Manoj Kumar, the Jawan was guarding Gulpur Post in Poonch sector. In front of him on the other side of Line of Control is the Bakri Post manned by Pakistani forces.
What was seen in the RS Pura sector was visibly a part of official protocol or sort of border diplomacy. And what happened in Poonch sector was reflection of suspect and odium India and Pakistan are hostage to ever since this day of independence is being celebrated. Both the actions had a State control.

On the eve of Independence Day, nuclear armed neighbours can well pay a tribute to the humanity if some courage is shown to decode the public sentiment. Away from the official celebrations, what people on both sides of Line of Control long for? It is not too difficult to weigh the public mood. Such opportunity of understanding the public mood too was available on the Line of Control today.

While the guard is high on the entire dividing line, most of the people preferred to stay indoors to avoid the frequent security checks and escape the much familiar risk to their lives; yet dozens had the desire to cross the dividing line.

The Caravan of trans-LoC Poonch-Rawalakote bus service with 76 passengers on board today crossed over to the other side while 63 persons came to this side.

Those who crossed over included 50 residents of Pakistan administered Kashmir who retuned while 26 people from Rajouri and Poonch districts went to that side to meet their relatives.

Fifth time after the Poonch-Rawalakote bus service started, 30 residents of Pakistan administered Kashmir traveling on the caravan crossed over to this side to meet their relatives living in various parts of the Jammu and Kashmir while 33 passengers came back after visiting their relatives at Poonch.

It is important to mention here that more than 1000 passengers have crossed over since the Poonch-Rawalakote bus service was started.