In the past four months since the unrest that continues to burn Kashmir following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, protesters have now resorted to attack the basic right to education. While the state government stand clueless on who remains responsible for the burning down of 27 government-run schools, they believe it is the work of the separatists.
A top police official said that schools were targeted across 10 districts in the area. On Sunday, Diwali day, the Higher Secondary Kabamarg School in Anantnag, South Kashmir, was targeted, along with three other schools. Although nobody was injured considering schools remained closed amid the unrest, it makes one wonder, is education the price to be paid for 'freedom'?
As the situation gets out of hand, the Kashmir High Court took a "suo moto cognisance" to order the state government to take preventive measures. "Stop the enemies of education", it said. A judge in the high court agreed and called for a "collective effort" to save schools because "investment in education is an investment for future generations". However, Education Minister Naeem Akhtar said it was impossible to provide security to all 12,000 schools in the region. Addressing the issue, Akhtar stated, "Education is like oxygen to any society. It should have nothing to do with politics. Obviously, those behind the burning of schools and vandalising educational institutions cannot be called friends of Kashmir. Kashmiri society also has to take up ownership of educational institutions."
He also wrote an open letter to Syed Ali Shah Geelani, head of the Hurriyat Conference, a political umbrella of separatist groups in the Valley. "I plead guilty to having the belief that whatever our political future, it will have meaning only if our children receive education and are able to engage with the world on their terms," the letter read. Responding, Geelani said, "If the authorities are indeed concerned about education and the future of school children, they should first release all people, particularly students, and withdraw all cases against them to create a conducive and peaceful atmosphere."
Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Nirmal Singh said, "This is very unfortunate and the responsibility is on the separatists, including Mr Geelani and other people who are giving this calendar and they are encouraging such elements to burn the schools. Ultimately, the future of the children of Kashmir is in dark." With the future of several Kashmiri children in the dark, the events have garnered a lot of attention. Police sources said eight persons who were detained in Anantnag and Kulgam are currently being investigated, but so far, there is no substantial breakthrough in establishing who is behind the blastful burning. Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said, "This is a combination of madness and perversion, otherwise how can anybody think of setting fire to educational institutions. People of the Valley should realise that these people have crossed all limits and they are acting at the behest of our enemy from across the border, who's aiding, abetting, funding and training terrorists regularly."
At the moment, blame game has become the only way to cope with the matter at hand. The state government have nobody but the seperatists to blame, while the latter remain perplexed. Separatist leader Yasin Malik said those attacking schools "must be unmasked and punished" and accused the government of inaction. Even as, the students have another concerns. With the government indicating it would like to hold examinations in November, as scheduled, many ask for them to be postponed for at least two months and allow them time to prepare. They feel the allowance needs to be considered given the fact that they have not completed even 30 per cent of their syllabus.
A class 12 student who spoke at the condition of anonymity, said, "We have not been to school since July. We have only witnessed killings, arrests, daily protests, and stone pelting incidents. I studied at home and sometimes took private tuitions as well. But not every student has that opportunity. Therefore, the demand for rescheduling exams is genuine." Patent and Trade Union leader Ghulam Nabi Shah said, "Our children have not been to school for the last four months. They have not completed syllabus. Government should not make it a political colour and should defer exams to March."
