The kidnapping of Rubaiya Sayeed in 1989 and subsequent success of terrorists in getting able to rerelease  5 dreaded terrorists motivated terrorists that became the source of forced exodus of Kashmiri Pandits. Discover the horrific story that has a devastating impact on Kashmiri Pandits.

On December 8, 1989, Kidnapping of Rubaiya Sayeed, the 23-year-old daughter of then-Indian Home Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, was done by Kashmiri separatist militants. The kidnappers demanded the release of five jailed members of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) in exchange for Sayeed’s release. Know How?

IMAGE COURSEY: NAVBHARAT TIMES

The kidnapping of Rubaiya Sayeed, the daughter of then-home minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, on December 8, 1989, set the stage for a tragic turn of events in Kashmir. This watershed moment in the Kashmir insurgency not only emboldened militants but also led to a wave of violence against the Kashmiri Pandit community, ultimately resulting in their forced exodus from the Kashmir Valley.

It is noteworthy that The kidnapping of Rubaiyya Sayeed occurred shortly after the Janta Dal party took power. In response, the Vishwanath Pratap Singh government swiftly called a Cabinet meeting, attended by prominent figures such as Arun Nehru, Arif Mohammad Khan, and Inder Kumar Gujral, to discuss strategies for resolving the kidnapping. The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary, Moosa Raza, established a special cell to handle the crisis.

Who was heading the Government then?

At the time of the kidnapping of Rubaiya Sayeed, the coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir was led by Dr Farooq Abdullah, affiliated with the Congress party. However, tensions were already high between Farooq Abdullah and Mufti Mohd Syed, the Home Minister of India, due to their longstanding animosity towards each other. There were rumours that Abdullah would be removed from his position, and Mufti Syed held him accountable for the sporadic violence in Kashmir.

Role of Moosa Raza

Moosa Raza, the chief secretary of Jammu & Kashmir, revealed in his book- Kashmir: Land of Regrets that during his meeting with Mufti Syed to discuss the kidnapping of  Rubaiya Sayeed , the latter displayed no signs of nervousness or agitation. Meanwhile, Raza travelled to Delhi to meet with the cabinet secretary and remained in contact with the Jammu and Kashmir home secretary and director-general of police, who informed him about the JKLF’s demands for the release of certain individuals in exchange for Rubaiya’s freedom.

Among the individuals who demanded for release were Abdul Hamid Sheikh, Gulam Nabi Bhat ( Younger brother of Maqbool Bhat), Noor Ahmed Kalwal, Javed Zargar, and Mohd Altaf.

Abdul Hamid Sheikh had sustained severe injuries in a police encounter and was undergoing treatment at the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences in Srinagar. It was later discovered that his hospitalisation was part of a scheme orchestrated by Dr Guru, a prominent surgeon in the state. The situation was complex, and Raza encountered various challenges in his efforts to secure Rubaiyya’s release. Nevertheless, Raza’s account provides insights into the intricate circumstances surrounding the kidnapping and the attempts to resolve the situation.

During the negotiations for Rubaiya Sayeed’s release, the JKLF presented several demands to the authorities, including the release of Javed Zargar. However, at a certain point in the negotiations, the JKLF altered their request and instead asked for the release of Abdul Ahad Waza. To fully comprehend the significance of this change in demands, it is necessary to delve into the history and background of the JKLF.

 Rubaiyya Sayeed’s crisis management strategy involved Justice M L Bhat of the Allahabad High Court as a mediator between the government and the JKLF terrorist organisation. Through the efforts of the mediator and the government, five militants were released on December 13, 1989. The news of their release was met with great joy, and thousands of young men gathered at Rajouri Kadal to celebrate their release.

However, the release of these militants on 13^th December, 1989 had a negative impact on the situation in Kashmir. It emboldened the JKLF and other militant organisations, leading to increased attacks on government officials and Kashmiri Pandits. This created a dangerous situation where the insurgent movement gained momentum, becoming a turning point in the conflict.

The celebration of the militants’ release was marked by singing, dancing, and the raising of anti-India slogans. The term “Indian dogs” was used derogatorily to refer to the security forces trying to counter the insurgent movement, and this term was scrawled on the walls of Srinagar. Overall, the release of the militants had far-reaching consequences that exacerbated the situation in Kashmir.

 The situation in Jammu and Kashmir might have been different if VP Singh’s government had not acquiesced to the demands of the JKLF. If the BJP had withdrawn its support on the issue, the outcome might have been different, but they chose to remain supportive, and did not consider taking off support from VP Singh Government. Rather they preferred to take off support later when When Lal Krishna Advani was arrested during the Rath Yatra

Role of Politicians

The kidnapping of Rubaiya Sayeed by JKLF in 1989 was a turning point in the Kashmir conflict. The National Conference and Congress government, which were in power at the time, were widely criticized for releasing dangerous militants in exchange for her release. This decision emboldened the militants and led to an increase in violence against Kashmiri Pandits.

The BJP, which was the main opposition party at the time, also played a role in the escalation of violence. The party remained silent when the militants kidnapped Rubaiyya Syed, and did not take off the support to the Janta Dal, but took off support when Advani was arrested by Ladu Prasad Government in Bihar during his Rath Yatra.

later BJP formed a coalition with the PDP, a party that was responsible for its links with the terrorists and doing a fake drama of Rubaiyya Sayeed Kidnapping.

The BJP’s actions in the aftermath of the kidnapping of Rubaiyya Syed showed that the party was more interested in power than in protecting the Kashmiri Pandits. The party’s silence and its willingness to work with the PDP helped to create the conditions that led to the genocide of Kashmiri Pandits.

The kidnapping of Rubaiya Sayeed was a tragic event that had a devastating impact on the Kashmiri Pandit community. The BJP’s actions in the aftermath of the kidnapping showed that the party was not interested in protecting the Kashmiri Pandits, but rather in using them for political gains, which is still continuing.

Will the Kashmir conflict ever be resolved peacefully?

For more information on the Kidnapping of Rubaiya Sayeed, Read my book “ Uprooted and Forlorn: The Tale of Kashmiri Pandits in Exile

This post aims to respectfully share a meaningful interpretation of Bhagwan Ram’s name based on our scriptures. Understanding the significance of Bhagwan Ram is pretty simple from the perspective of his own life. The post does not cause offence to anyone, as it shouldn’t, as its purpose is to express a deep understanding of the significance of Bhagwan Ram’s name in alignment with our sacred texts.

Isolating God from the potency not only limits our understanding but also diminishes the profound beauty and wisdom that emerges from their divine interplay. Just the significance of  Bhagwan Ram’s character is incomplete without Sita, the divine is intimately connected to its potency. By recognizing and embracing this union, we embark on a journey towards a more comprehensive and holistic spiritual understanding, enriching our lives with the boundless love, wisdom, and grace that emanate from this divine union.

The union of  Bhawan Ram and Sita is symbolic of the inherent interplay between God and potency. It underscores the idea that the divine cannot be fully comprehended or experienced without recognizing the complementary aspect of its potency. Just as Ram’s character is elevated by Sita’s virtues, the divine is enriched and enlivened by the potency that emanates from it.

In Hindu tradition, Uttering God without the potency of God is meaningless. We use Radha before Krishna as Radha Krishna, similarly, we use Sita’s name as Sita Ram and Lakshmi Narayan.

In Hindu tradition, speaking the name of God without acknowledging the inherent power and potency of God holds no significance. We observe this by placing Radha before Krishna as “Radha Krishna” and using Sita’s name alongside Ram as “Sita Ram” and Lakshmi’s name with Narayan as “Lakshmi Narayan.” This highlights the inseparable connection and interplay between the divine and its potency.

When we separate the potency from God or try to create the potency independently, we lose the deepest spiritual essence and meaning of the words. Forcefully uttering “Jai Shri Ram” with anger without referring to Maa Janaki (Sita) transforms the sacred words into a political expression filled with negative emotions. However, Bhagwan Ram, who exemplified the virtue of Maryada (righteousness), was far from being an angry God.

For better understanding read Upanishad: The concentrated wisdom

Today, on the 28th of May 2023, the Kashmiri Pandit community is joyously celebrating Mata Kheer Bhawani Day today on Zyeshta Shukla Paksha Ashtami, a sacred occasion dedicated to the revered Mother Goddess, Mata Ragnya.

The significance of this day stems from the tale of Ravana, a devoted follower of Lord Shiva, whose unwavering devotion pleased Mata Ragyna, leading her to manifest before him. In response to Ravana’s reverence, he installed an image of the Goddess in Sri Lanka. However, Ragyna grew displeased with Ravana’s cruelty, and with the assistance of Hanuman, she journeyed to Tulmul. This event, known as Ragnya Ratri, marks the night when Ragyna arrived in Tulmul Ganderbal

While Ragyna is a manifestation of Durga, this specific form is closely associated with Vaishnavism. In Lanka, she was known as Shayama. Ragniya represents a serene and blissful aspect of the Goddess, embodying tranquillity.

Nestled amidst the enchanting landscapes of the Ganderbal district in the captivating Kashmir Valley, lies the sacred abode of Mata Kheer Bhawani. This revered temple holds a special place in the hearts of the Kashmiri Pandit community, as it is believed to be the dwelling place of the divine Mother Goddess, Mata Ragnya Bhagwati or Mata Kheer Bhawani.

One of the most remarkable features of this temple is the natural spring that flows within its premises. For centuries, the crystal-clear water of this spring has captivated the devotion of countless followers. It is regarded as imbued with spiritual significance and revered as a divine source of blessings and purification. Interestingly, the changing colours of the spring water have been observed to foretell the state of affairs in Kashmir. This phenomenon has been proven beyond doubt and continues to this day. The water is said to have turned red before the outbreak of the Kashmir conflict in the 1990s, serving as a forewarning of the impending turmoil.

However, the sanctity of the Kheer Bhawani spring lies not merely in the changing colours of its water, but in the profound devotion and reverence it instils within its devotees. The pristine water of the spring mirrors the purity and tranquillity sought by those who visit the temple, symbolizing a deep connection to the divine—a source of solace and spiritual rejuvenation.

As devotees of Mata Kheer Bhawani, we hold unwavering faith in the power of our beloved deity. Every Zyestha Ashtami, we gather from far and wide, drawn to the temple in search of her divine grace and blessings. The serene ambience of the temple and the captivating aura of the spring create an atmosphere conducive to introspection, prayer, and meditation. Through our heartfelt devotion, we find respite from the trials and tribulations of life, drawing inspiration from the timeless teachings of compassion, love, and righteousness imparted by the Mother Goddess. Our faith in Mata Kheer Bhawani instils within us a sense of purpose and hope, empowering us to navigate the challenges we face with courage and determination.

A visit to the Mata Kheer Bhawani temple is akin to a spiritual pilgrimage for the devout. It presents a profound opportunity to connect with the divine and seek blessings for personal well-being, prosperity, and harmony. The temple stands as a sanctuary of peace, where devotees can find solace and strengthen their bond with the believed presence of the divine.

The devotion to Mata Kheer Bhawani embodies the rich cultural heritage and deeply rooted spiritual traditions of the Kashmiri Pandit community. It reflects our unwavering faith in the divine and our commitment to upholding religious customs

The Upanishads, sacred transcripts of Vedic teachings, illuminate the path to discerning reality amidst the dazzling allure of life. Sit near a qualified Guru, embrace spiritual knowledge for discovering the ancient wisdom

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