You remember, or at least, have heard about the Gaw Kadal Massacre? After India appointed the infamous Jagmohan as governor of Kashmir, his supposed “cards of peace” quickly slipped away from his hands thereby bringing chaos in every nook and corner of the valley. Young Kashmiris might not be aware of the chilling declaration from this modern-day Genghis Khan that was broadcast on TV and radio as a warning to all Muslim Kashmiris. He infamously addressed to Kashmiris, saying “Meray haathoon say aman ka patta khisak jayega” (The card of peace that I am carrying will slip away from my hands). This warning proved to be a self-fulfilling prophesy, as within 24 years, nearly 60 people were killed and hundreds injured in Gaw Kadal area of Srinagar on 21 January 1990.

Much has been written about this massacre since 1990. Besides a few reports, an important aspect of this tragedy has been, if not completely neglected, but underreported to a great extent. What led people to come out from different parts of Srinagar and protest? On the intervening night of January 20 and 21, Indian troops raided a congested locality in downtown area of the city. It was during this raid that women were molested inside their houses while men were dragged out in the dead of night. The news of sexual harassment by Indian troops spread like wildfire and, aghast, people took rallies in different parts of the city, protesting against the dishonor of their women folk. Thousands of people protesting against the molestation of their women had gathered near Gaw Kadal where Indian CRPF troops directly fired upon them thereby killing at least 60 people and injuring nearly 300 others.

For the Kashmiri Muslims, the intolerable violation of their women’s chastity was a line crossed with dire consequences. They laid down their lives in defense of honor, an unwavering resolve that nothing is above the honor of our women.

Fast forward to the present, and the specter of dishonoring our women rears its head in a dangerous way. Since August 5, 2019, Indians openly discuss the subjugation of Kashmiri women, brazenly contemplating marriages and forced relocations outside the valley. The air is thick with derogatory utterances, with many BJP politicians shamelessly promoting a narrative that reduces Kashmir to a mere trophy for conquest. There is a sharp increase in online posts and offline speeches asserting Hindu supremacy and claiming ownership of Kashmiri Muslim women. A dangerous narrative is being propagated that Indians can now marry the “fair-skinned” Kashmiri girls. Although more than four years have passed since 5th August, the perception of Indians only intensifies, the result of which may be disastrous anytime soon in the future as India eyes on a complete Hinduization of our homeland. With active government support, the Indian singers have made pop songs about settling with “fair Kashmiri” girls. A BJP lawmaker in 2019 asserted that the party workers can now marry fair Muslim women from Kashmir. The open call by the Chief Minister of India’s most populous state for the despicable act of exhuming Muslim women from their graves and subjecting them to rape is enough to give us an idea about these inhuman beasts and compel us to remain vigilant and prepared to resist, regardless of the challenges we may face.

This toxic rhetoric, propagated among them, paints a sinister picture of settling in Kashmir with nefarious intentions. Such discussions about changing demographics and cultural assimilation cast a long shadow over the valley. We, especially the young generation of Kashmir, should always remember that our forefathers, in the face of adversity, stood resolute in defense of the honor of their women. They laid down their lives as a testament to the sacredness of that commitment. Now, it falls upon our shoulders to safeguard the dignity and honor of our women. Resist the encroachment of ideologies that seek to diminish our identity and exploit our land and resources. Let the echoes of Gaw Kadal serve as a rallying cry and a reminder that the sacrifice made by those who came before us demands a steadfast commitment to protecting the sanctity of Kashmir and its people.

This article was written by Brother Yousaf Buch last year for Revolutionary Resurgence. Due to the important message it conveys, we decided to republish it this year as well.