[This post is dedicated to S.A.R. Geelani (1969-2019), a martyr to the cause of human rights and justice. Shaheed Geelani Saab Amar Rahe.]
{photo credit: Muzammil Sidheeqi http://paarapuram.blogspot.com/}
10/30/2019
Yesterday I was reminded with forceful clarity that as an Indian who stands in solidarity with Kashmiri Azadi, it is important to constantly evolve in one’s solidarity efforts. And for me that means digging deep into a multitude of nagging questions and uncomfortable reflections. For instance…
Why did it take me so long to stand in solidarity with the people of Kashmir and their right to freedom? So much longer than it should have really?
It’s only been a few years since I came out publicly in solidarity with Kashmiri Azadi, but I’ve been active with Palestine-solidarity work for much, much longer. It’s even more insidious considering Kashmir is way closer to the land of my birth and childhood – geographically, culturally, and politically – than Palestine ever could be.
No doubt the lingering insecurities and cowardice of majoritarian nationalism run deep.
Truth is, organizing in solidarity with Palestine was just easier to do, mostly cos I didn’t have to do some heavy lifting on deep-rooted nationalist baggage. Make no mistake, I am ever grateful for what I learnt and experienced doing Palestine-solidarity work, not to mention the fact that I met the love of my life through that activism. I will always be in solidarity with the liberation of Palestine and the Palestinian people. But like the Jewish or Israeli progressive who is progressive on everything except Palestine, I was the Indian progressive who is progressive on everything except Kashmir.
I talked the talk and said the right words to be the liberated thinker I thought I was (which I may very well be doing right now).
But deep down, the nationalism of my youth exerted and still exerts great subconscious leverage.
Which is why I think transnational solidarity must always be renewed to stay honest and grounded.
Especially the often fickle and feckless solidarity that emerges from a member of a rogue oppressor nation to his occupied brothers and sisters facing the brute end of that nationalist oppression.
So, as an Indian – no matter how long it may take for this latent jingoism to whither away – I hope to keep saying till my dying breath…
Azadi now.
Azadi forever.
Free Kashmir.
love liberation struggle 