Kashmiriyat is rather esoteric for a person who has not lived in this serene landscape. But still I will try to demystify this for you. Its about a simple conversation I had with a Kashmiri some time ago. It was a lazy Sunday evening during my visit to this heavenly abode. I got the chance to strike a conversation with an elder in one of the quaint villages. The enthusiasm exuded by the individual when I started talking to him made me feel at home which is nothing but an important tenet of Kashmiriyat. He offers me a cup of tea and enquires “Sab Khariyat?”, which means all good?. This is the first and foremost thing any Kashmiri asks you on meeting.
Although the chances are very high for the person to ask you this same question repeatedly. The next question he will ask you is “Ghar pe sb theek ho”. Once he finishes with the enquiry
of the well being of all your family members, he is open to questions. Out of curiosity, I asked him directly, what is the difference between Kashmir once upon a time and now. He was quick to reply,"Kashmiriyat is no longer celebrated here like it once used to be. The word Kashmiriyat was alien to me. I immediately like an obedient disciple asked him, “What is Kashmiriyat?” He with all the authority of a master enlightened me with these words, Kashmiriyat is a way of life and when followed showers you with a peaceful and harmonious life. It is a centuries old tradition of communal harmony and religious syncretism which made Kashmir what it was. But, when he said this I noticed the gloom in his voice. To raise his spirits I asked him whether he can explain it to me.
He told me that once upon a time Kashmir was home to all religions and that co-existence was their pride. Kashmir absorbed everything that set foot on her soil and made it a part of her. He told of the Sikhs, Hindus, Bhuddists, Muslims and Jains who lived together with Kashmiriyat being their only religion. I saw the phantasmagoria in his eyes. I interrupted, “what happened then”. He said that somewhere along the way they lost track. Some vile forces penetrated this land and sowed the seeds of hate and discontent. Then slowly the seeds grew roots and then it started developing into a tree. I again interrupted him with the question “why didn’t you cut the tree before it grew” ? To this his answer was that for people to realize that the fruits of this tree were poisonous, they had to eat it. But once the poison started flowing through the body, it became addictive even before they realised how harmful it was. Now the only panacea is Kashmiriyat.
I further asked him,"How do you think resurgence of Kashmiriyat can bring about change?” He replied, when Kashmiriyat starts flowing again in the veins of the people, they would no longer see anyone as outsiders instead will greet them with a cup of tea just like I greeted you. They will no longer be swayed by the rodomontade of gun slinging militants rather they will be their nemesis. Chaos and cacophony will no longer thrive as even the once who have gone astray will start preaching love and compassion. They will no longer be able to bear the agony of their neighbour and will become each others saviour. It was getting late. Before bidding farewell to my new teacher who taught me what Kashmiriyat is, I asked him this; “When do you think this will happen”? His reply filled my heart with admiration for him. The seeds of Kashmiriyat are dormant, not dead, and when people like me nurture it, It has no other option but to sprout. I thanked him for the tea and bid adieu.
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