‘Lal Chowk’ and ‘Article 370’ had been identifying the spirit of Jammu and Kashmir until RSS volunteers Lal Krishna Advani and Narendra Modi did not roar to hoist the national flag ‘Tiranga’ at Lal Chowk in Srinagar. Advani’s ‘Rath Yatra’, charioting by Modi, succeeded in its attempt and ‘Lal Chowk’ got knocked down in 1990s, as BJP leaders have been claiming. 5 August 2019 hit at the second pole for the assimilation, and Article 370 was abrogated.
 |
| Cover page of 'Lal Chowk' that is written by Rohin Kumar. (Pic by R. Suresh Bhardwaj) |
Article 370 was the matter of pride for Kashmiris that accorded 'Special Status' to the State of Jammu and Kashmir, but with a resolution moved by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, its clauses have been ceased to be operative.
Dozen petitions challenging the validity of the J&K Reorganisation Act 2019 remain pending before the Supreme Court. Many legal experts believe that the court will approve its constitutionality. And, Altaf Bukhari, President of Apni Party, like leaders have chosen to go with the intent ‘move on’, as per an interview published in a book ‘Lal Chowk’ written by Rohin Kumar.
Rohin Kumar, an emerging writer and journalist, hails from Gaya district of Bihar. He is journalism graduate from IIMC, New Delhi and has published in many media outlets with same courage and enthusiasm that is flashed in his latest book ‘Lal Chowk’.
 |
| Monochrome picture of writer Rohin Kumar. (Picture is taken from his book Lal Chowk) |
‘Lal Chowk’, an economic hub in the now-Union Territory’s capital, reflects the happenings of whole Jammu and Kashmir, which is named after ‘Red Square’, central marketplace in Moscow, Russia.
Keeping the Chowk in the centre, the book strives to tell an untold story of Jammu and Kashmir that either has not been covered by media or has been muted in authorities pressure, as the writer claims. It narrates the chronology of Article 370 relating several stories with a touch of emotionality and sentimentality. It connotes an account of the contemporary History of Jammu and Kashmir before the repudiation of 370 and the aftermath of its revocation.
Although the conjugation of words sympathises the people living in the shadow of security forces, but the content is not erroneous despite having its subjectivity. It is a silver lining of the narration that apprises of the events and provides a way to understand ‘perception’, ‘optics’ and ‘binary’ with their practically functioning on ground.
 |
| People sit near Lal Chowk, in Srinagar. (An undated picture provided by a photojournalist from Srinagar, special arrangement.) |
‘Making of Perception and its Operation’ is the core of this book, that is described in its very first chapter which occupies the readers attention, as I found that the book will be a great source for ‘Hindi journalists’ to report from a conflict area.
The writer proves his courage again and again to sort out stories from a demarcated land, that is apparently enough for the people living outside Kashmir to understand Kashmiris what they think. To explain their thought process, he comes with several interviews, conversation and public opinion.
The book also comments on ‘Indian media and its reporting style’ that is, I think, overwhelmed. Praising some outer media houses, the book sets the writer to be a ‘Baba’ (preacher) on media ethics.
The portrayal of ‘Torture’ in a chapter seems to be real that displays a live example of the incidents. It is the beauty of writing that makes every word precious. Even after it connects the vibrancy of stories, some points might be doubtful because there is no substantial evidence except the words of victims.
The writer fails to enunciate the documents, reports and authorities’ words in support of his arguments. No serious reports are mentioned that can make the book only a novel piece in many opinions. There is also no equally narration from government side that sets a room for readers’ conscience to decide the book content appreciable or not.
| Lal Chowk, in Srinagar. (An undated picture provided by a photojournalist from Srinagar, special arrangement.) |
Like Article 370, the book shows the death of terrorist Burhan Wani as a watershed moment for the women participation in stone pelting. Many contexts justify the incidents of pelting stone on security forces as a symbol of struggle against authority in the absence of other options. There is a vast chapter in the book regarding Kashmiri women highlighting their nuances to free from patriarchal set up through a participation in the funeral procession of terrorists.
Overall it is good piece written by the writer Rohin, a batch senior to me in IIMC, who tried his best to jot it down. Colloquially, it is penned with a good grasp that hallucinates the reader and without any doubt it connects the dots in vacuum.
Note: I, as a reader, award him with 10 out of 10 for his efforts, 8 for writing and editing, 6 for conflict area reporting and only 5 to be a good book because, I think, it is only narration of the incidents without any way forward and substantiality!
No comments:
Post a Comment