Toru’s gumption was low, simmering instead of boiling.
“My question is — how can you say that the Haq Force has failed when the death of their young leader has led to an emotional current across Kashmir. Stone pelting and violent protests have been erupting regularly in most areas…”
“Name ‘most areas’ and define ‘regularly.’”
Her gumption went quieter but she held her voice steady, sticking to her questions. Atharva knew them, but he wasn’t in the mood to duck them, even though he had to keep his persona steady for his upcoming trip.
“There is Harnag and Qazikund in Anantnag, Kokernag, Kulgam, Shopian and Srinagar, to name a few.”
“From ‘most’ areas, you have come down to six, ma’am. There is the answer for you.”
“But you cannot deny that there have been injuries, serious ones due to the use of pellet guns by the Indian forces. Children and women have been injured.”
“How many children and how many women, Ms. Ray?”
This time, she did not even blink — “As per the latest report from this morning — 17 children and 25 women. Half of them have been discharged but they were serious enough to be admitted to the hospital.”
“And did the report state what the causes of their injuries were?”
Her mouth snapped shut.
“Stones,” Atharva declared. The questions Amaal had planted in her list were meant to paint a demonic picture of the Kashmiri government, take the stand of every anti-Atharva Kaul narrative so that he could set some records straight. Unknowingly, Toru had walked into that trap and levelled his playing field. He did not feel even a little bad about destroying her on national TV. She had used Iram enough for this to be payback.
“If women and children were injured due to stones, falling down the road and stampedes — where do you think the stones came from?”
“If that is the case, then why are the people of Kashmir suddenly burning with a sentiment of reticence for you?”
“I do not believe that is true. But if, at all, a fraction of that is, I would like to tell them and your viewers through this interview to google Waris Khan for me, then google Ansari, the head of Haq Force. Waris Khan’s son is a practicing doctor, settled happily with his family in London. Ansari’s daughter is an IT engineer and his two sons are practicing lawyers with the American Bar Council, both far away from his so-called ‘freedom struggle.’ They are all safely working abroad. So tell me then, is their cause only for others’ children? Is it only for Aziz’s son Usama?”
“What will your government’s stance be in the future with regard to these militant groups? Do we see a solution in sight? Negotiation? Talks?"
“Until these groups do not stop spreading terror and unrest in my state, there is no question of talks.”
“And the Indian army?”
“What about it?”
“Will they take over Kashmir? There are rumours of a Presidential rule…”
“They are exactly that. Rumours.”
“This must hit too close to home, the devolving state of affairs in Kashmir. I remember you and your wife talking about your childhood growing up here, in such dire circumstances.”
Atharva swallowed but did not let his voice tremble — “We grew, Kashmir grew, and today it knows better. We are not going back there.”
Toru smiled. “That’s hopeful, coming from you. Now, moving to the most controversial of all topics. Your upcoming trip to PoK.”
Atharva gave a tight smile.
“Your ally, Yogesh Patel says that he or Janta Party does not endorse your trip but will not break the alliance either, as they have Kashmir’s best interests at heart. The SSF and BSF joint press statement snubbed you for your announcement, while Momina Aslam has called youanti-national.What does the world look like from your side right now?”
“Yogeshji may have his perspective, and I completely understand where he is coming from. We have both, in our individual as well as allied capacity, worked out Jammu & Kashmir’s wider interest. As for the SSF and BSF chiefs, I understand their stands too. They come from a purely military standpoint, where the enemy is the enemy and there is no grey area. I was in their place once. That compartmentalisation of enemy and fraternity was at the core of my understanding of the world. But now I have to stand on a pedestal that represents the people. I cannot think like a military man. I don’t have that privilege anymore. I am going to PoK on the invitation of a university that traces its history back to the Jamwal Dynasty, on a tour to talk about the roots of an average Kashmiri.”
“An interesting argument, if I ever heard one,” Toru rallied with a wry quirk to her mouth. “But you did not answer my question completely. About Momina Aslam’s comment, that you are…”
“An anti-national? I do not dignify such comments with an answer.”
“Well, on that note, I will wind up this interview. Would you like to say something to end this chat?”
