Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Law and order must prevail' that was published in Newsband

Law and order must prevail

Kashmiri students elsewhere must be reassured of their personal safety after the ghastly terror attack in Pulwama on February 14. A petition related to this has been forwarded to the Supreme Court which has agreed to give a hearing to it.

Hundreds of Kashmiri students have already returned home or moved somewhere else seeking safety. The Union Home Ministry is doing its best to ensure the safety of Kashmiris. The Jammu and Kashmir police too have set up helplines. The Supreme Court is now hearing the issue. It is also the State’s responsibility to ensure the well-being of citizens.

Law and order must prevail, and the students must be given enough confidence that they can return to their educational institutions and studies without fear. No group of Indians should be allowed to be isolated by blame-calling mobs, and the situation demands a strong, politically-led initiative to end the intimidation and reassure the victims.

There is a tremendous reaction of anger in the country about the Pulwama incident. All Kashmiris should enjoy all protections and rights available to them as Indian citizens. Fortunately there was no violence or retaliatory attacks anywhere except some kneejerk reactions of intimidation at few places which have been fixed quickly. We find many institutions cooperating with one another in this matter.

One wonders where were these institutions when the massacre and killings of Kashmiri Pandits and Sikhs happened, which of course was a more serious crime and a shame on humanity.

Those who always criticize the "hindutva" look at only one side. Hindus are in majority in our country. It should not be an issue to the critics. Why do they always target the Hindus? The critics made an issue about some students having tried to expel Kashmiri students. But have they tried to question why? Have they tried to find out as to how normal students are forced to do this? If Kashmiri students only think about Kashmir which belongs actually to the Hindus if you see historically, if they indulge in anti India sloganeering all the times, break all the rules, even take a gun, these critics do not care to speak against their audacity against majority. Peace cannot be made by single side. These unjust critics are the people who are responsible for this agitation. They should change themselves first.

It is also true that if there are one or two stones in a bowl of rice, there is no use throwing the whole rice. One or two miscreants in Kashmir does not mean that entire Kashmiris should be boycotted. The needy must be helped and many of the Kashmiri students are sincere and innocent who do not have any relation with extremism

The Supreme Court is acting independently and quickly agreeing to hear this matter, Union Home Ministry is issuing immediate advisory notes to all states and union territories, J&K Police are setting up a helpline under Governor's rule, Uttarakhand Police are taking action on culprits, press is championing the cause freely, etc. All these things should be lauded.

Great pity that the jurisdiction of the apex court is required to be invoked for an Indian citizen’s fundamental right to life to be protected. It is as if all other organs of the state have withered away.

Lastly, try to show some concern for the Pundit refugees who are also Kashmiris.