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Growing economic activity surprises film-maker

SANA ALTAF. Dated: 7/5/2013 11:22:55 PM

SRINAGAR, July 5: Expressing surprise over the growing economic activity in the Valley, independent film maker, Sanjay Kak, Friday questioned whether Kashmir actually looks like a war zone. Referring to the developmental and economic activities currently taking place in Kashmir, he said people need to review the situation in Kashmir.
“Does Kashmir actually look like a war zone? I do not know of any war region where there is so much economic and other activities taking places,” Sanjay said while speaking at the interactive session following the screening of his new film, ‘Red Ant Dream’ here Friday. The event was organized by Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society. The film focuses on the struggle of Adivasis from the mineral-rich hills of Odisha and on the swelling protests by Punjabi peasants around that iconic figure of Bhagat Singh. The film questions if revolutions are possible anymore in India democracy.
It was the second time that Sanjay’s film was screened in Kashmir.
In 2007, Jashn-e-Azadi, a film about Kashmir freedom struggle won applauses across the Valley.
“We talk about militarization in Kashmir but I do not know any militarized zone with such ferocious economic activity. I am amazed.”
The film maker said there has always been symbolic value of Kashmir in Indian Constitution. But what is needed is to take a materialistic view of the circumstances apart from what is being reported in media.
“There is construction going on everywhere. Hotels, resorts, malls and houses are being built. Is there a construction boom or tourism boom?” he questioned.
He said people of Kashmir need to think as to what forces are propelling these energies and what implications do they have on life in Kashmir.
“Money is being thrown into city and poured into countryside. The situation needs analysis.”
Commenting on the film, Aala Fazili, a research scholar said Kashmir’s should learn two things from the film.
“First, that India will use forces against any uprising here as a security official himself says in the film that power runs through barrel of guns. Secondly, India not only intends to occupy our land but our culture and society which means our struggle should be multi-faceted.”
Drawing line between the struggle of various groups in India and Kashmir, Junaid, Kashmir University student said the freedom struggle in Kashmir is divine
He referred to the last phone conversation of the three militants killed in an encounter in Tral, Pulwana on July 1.
“What was amazing in that conversation was that militants who were involved in gunfight with forces were being asked for help from someone who was on safer side. Someone who was safe was asking help from those getting killed. And that help was not of this world but hereafter because they were going to be martyrs.”
Junaid said Kashmir’s struggle is driven by Islam and has connection with here after unlike the struggle of Maoists or Naxals. One must respect the struggle of every community, he added.
Criticizing the screening of the film about movements in central India in Kashmir, one of the speakers said that such film are being screening here to confuse the mind of the youth and drift them from their cause.
To this, Sanjay responded by saying that blocking information apart from Kashmir is impossible.
“Youth need to see what is happening around them and then train their minds to act in their line. We cannot block them.”
Baari, a research scholar viewed that Kashmiri’s must learn three things from the film- revolt, revolution and rebellion.
Drawing inferences from various quotations in the film, he said Kashmiri’s need to fight with spirit.
“We have to realize that flying birds cannot be caged and once they stop their fight they will be crushed. Besides, without masses we cannot achieve anything. We must ourselves rise."