Non-lethal shooting

Kashmir finally has conclusive evidence to prove that life in the Valley is returning to normal. The fact that a film is being shot in Gulmarg ten years after the last crew packed up is far more compelling than any election successfully held, or any representation to the United Nations. When a government helicopter landed at the shooting site, people expected the chief minister himself to step out, which goes to show the importance of the event. The fact that it was sundry journalists from Delhi who actually descended from the helicopter should not count as a damper either. The state government is quite right in trying to get some public relations mileage out of the event.

Of course, this sign of progress should be seen in its proper perspective. The killings still remain something of an institution in Kashmir, though the insane frenzy of the last eight years or so is clearly over. The militants can no longer claim to actually control territory in Kashmir but only last month, a village in Udhampur districtwas selected for a terror attack. In January, on the eve of Republic Day, 25 pandits were gunned down at Wandhama. Three days after that, the state government was to hold the first National Winter Games at Gulmarg. The killings were intended to put across the message that no matter how diligently national days were celebrated by the government and no matter how many feel-good events it sponsored, Kashmir was still a disputed territory. Now, however, that impression is likely to change. Though without intending it, the film crew is putting across its own message. It is saying that the Kashmir problem cannot be treated as an internal matter by the people of the state. The rest of the country also has to have a say on the issue. And simply by being there, the crew is affirming the faith of the rest of India in the peace process in Kashmir. By choosing to shoot a film with a strong inter-community angle on location, it is showing its commitment in very concrete terms.

It is a mixed signal, of course. In thewords of Amrish Puri, who is acting in the film, the crew members are 8220;alert8221;. In other words, they are just short of being apprehensive. And the government has seen fit to provide the crew with fairly extensive security cover 8212; a whole company of central forces is in attendance. It would be ridiculous to suggest that Gulmarg is now as peaceful as Ooty, but it would be perfectly correct to say that Kashmir is taking giant steps towards normalcy. It is heartening that the people of Gulmarg have reacted very favourably to the shooting. This is ample proof that Pakistani propaganda about Kashmir being ripe for an insurrection, about them suffering under the yoke8217; of Indian rule, is completely inaccurate. The reality is that they welcome signs of normal Indian life in their state, and the majority of them place a far smaller premium on political issues than on the pursuit of happiness. Insurgency in Kashmir is not backed by the will of its people. Had it not been for coercion backed by frightening firepower,they would have refused to be coopted by this foreign-sponsored movement.