The sombre occasion of commemorating the death of 23 men who fought against the Dogra rule in 1931 today turned into a show of strength between the Mufti Mohammad Sayeed-led coalition government and the National Conference, reflecting the struggle for occupying the same political space in today’s Kashmir. Worse, it was marred by an attack on the vehicle of the minister for public health engineering, Qazi Afzal. This has always been one occasion when the state’s deeply divided political parties stand united. From separatist Hurriyat to mainstream National Conference and ruling Peoples Democratic Party, all vie to lay claim to this legacy.This time it gained in significance as it was the first such political opportunity for Omar Abdullah to portray NC in its Kashmiri nationalistic character after snapping ties with the Centre. It was also the first day in office for the new Hurriyat chief Moulvi Abbas Ansari — the Hurriyat had called for a strike. Its leaders were barred from visiting this small downtown graveyard and were arrested even before they could set off in a procession.The granite tombs of the 23 men were decked up with flowers as the Chief Minister led the state in remembering them. Speaking to the gathering, Mufti made an impassioned plea for ending the 13-year-long bloodshed in the Valley.Addressing PDP-Congress supporters a few feet away from the graveyard, he urged the militants to take the cue from Palestine where the fundamentalist Hamas has agreed to a ceasefire. ‘‘Our state has gone through horrible experiences. We all are to be blamed for this mess. But we have had enough. I call on the boys who have picked up guns to stop the violence. Look at Palestine where Hamas has agreed to a ceasefire. I assure you that we will seek a final settlement of the Kashmir dispute in keeping with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people,’’ Sayeed said as the crowd cheered in approval.Regretting that any conflict between India and Pakistan hits Kashmir the most, Sayeed assured the people that their hopes won’t be sold out while the settlement of Kashmir is worked out. ‘‘PM Vajpayee offered a hand of friendship to Pakistan from the Valley which was reciprocated by General Musharraf and Jamali. When these two PMs can talk, they should also talk to the Kashmiris who have suffered the most in the conflict,’’ he said.As the PDP-Congress show wound up, NC supporters ripped off the buntings put up at the venue. But not before the car of Qazi Afzal, minister for PHE — who had defeated Omar in the elections — was attacked by NC supporters. The minister escaped unhurt but his driver was beaten up and the car damaged. According to PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, an FIR was filed later and the police had arrested two people and seized a vehicle.Just an hour after Mufti’s rally got over, the spot glowed in red as the NC red flag emblazoned with a white plough showed up everywhere. Breaking out in adulatory slogans, the rapturous crowd that was more than double the size of the PDP-Congress gathering greeted NC president Omar Abdullah as he arrived in a procession of vehicles.Omar mocked Mufti: ‘‘He has never come here to pay homage earlier.’’ Claiming that conspiracies were being plotted against NC on both sides of the border, Omar said his party couldn’t be bought or put down as it represented a movement that draws inspiration from Sheikh Abdullah who encouraged the oppressed Kashmiris in the 1930s to fight the Dogra rule. ‘‘For 55 years there has been no solution to the Kashmir problem. But today when you talk under US pressure, you should bear in mind no solution will be acceptable to us unless we are taken into confidence. If there could be talks with the Hurriyat who call for freedom, NC should be taken into confidence,’’ he said amidst cheers from the crowd.Assuring his supporters that he could kick away any chair if the question of selling Kashmiri hopes arose, he said for any resolution and peace in the state, substantive political steps have to be initiated. ‘‘By buildingflyovers or hospitals you can’t bring in peace and prosperity. You have to take vital steps and that’s greater autonomy — only that can bring about peace in the Valley,’’ he stressed. The separatists, however, have their own take on the day. They believe that they alone are the legitimate guardians of the sacrifices of these 23 men.
