That the Hindu society is divided into irreversible social classes giving rise to discrimination and inequality thus leading to disharmony within the societal fabric is something that the Indians conveniently avoid while portraying the modern face of India. No amount of technological advancement or modernization could change public perceptions and attitudes. A society so fragmented from within can only perpetuate a set of reinforced beliefs.
This can be clearly exemplified by the revolt of troops of the Ladakh-based 226 Field Regiment against their officers, who according to them had beaten an enlisted man working as a personal valet in an extremely brutal manner.
The incident reveals a great divide between the soldiers and officer cadres of the Indian armed forces. This fight that left many injured, where the troops attacked the officers with weapons and gadgets while condemning them using loudspeakers is an occurrence that has precedence only in the colonial era Indian army or the post-Independence Indian Army in 1984, where the clash between the officers and the troops was described as the worst of its kind.
Entire units of the Indian army had mutinied showing a fundamental lack of discipline and cohesion within the organization, which is the most primary ingredient for effective working. Something that still continues.
This gross violation of human rights within the ranks and the atrocities carried out upon the innocent and voiceless people of Held Kashmir under the draconian anti-terror laws designed by the Indian army to force people into submission and silence is gaining enormity. There is a dire need for human rights organizations and the United Nations to take into account the plight of the poor people.
This vile and grotesque form of slavery under the garb of labor and anti-terror laws that has to be borne by innocent victims need to be unearthed and brought to the fore. The United Nations must put its foot down this time round to stop this killing spree that the Indian forces have embarked upon in such blatant manner while giving a damn to the entire world.
If peace is to return to the region, the atrocities in Kashmir ought to be curbed and the Indian armed forces be stopped from violating Human Rights.
AYAANA MALIK
Islamabad
