The Hindu : Politicians throng Sufi shrines in J&K

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 30, 2004

National

National - Elections 2004

Politicians throng Sufi shrines in J&K

Luv Puri

POONCH, JAMMU

Ghulam Mohammad Jan, the MLA from Poonch, is on top of the terrorist hit list. But that doesn't deter him from keeping busy, making arrangements for a grand celebration at the Sufi shrine of Sai Ilahi Baksh in the Loran area of Poonch, a hot bed of terrorism. To many, it may come as a surprise that he isn't running for cover; but then, he cannot afford to ignore the popular sentiment in his constituency.

Located close to the Line of Control (LoC) in Shahpur sector of the same district is the shrine of another popular saint. Ever since the ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir, people have been making a beeline for it.

With elections round the corner, politicians have also started thronging the shrines of the State's Sufi saints, seeking divine blessings for electoral success.

In fact, they make it a point to offer worship at the shrines before they start campaigning. The politicians in this belt, who generally restrict their movements because of the terrorists, make it a point to join the people during the celebrations at the Sufi shrines, even in the remote villages. For centuries, the Sufi shrines in the State — particularly in this belt — have been a bridge between the various religious faiths; even agnostics are known to gather here. Abdul Mirza, a political activist says, "Like every resident of this area, even we come here to seek blessings. [The] Sufi saints represent the popular culture of our area."

Even though the movements of politicians are restricted by the fear of the terrorists, at these Sufi shrines they are able to mingle with the local people and get to know their problems, expectations and gauge the popular mood. It is the reverence for these shrines that has earned the politicians respect even under adverse conditions and turned the people away from the terrorists because of the terrorists' hostility to Sufi culture. These may not attract much notice outside, but have a lot of significance in the areas near the Line of Control. For quite some time now, the terrorists have been running afoul of the local culture; for example, some time ago, in the Hari Marote area of Jammu province, a foreign terrorist showed disrespect to the burial place of a saint revered by the local people. This provoked an instant reaction among the locals, who took out a protest demonstration against the terrorists.

A similar incident happened at a ziarat in the neighbouring Buffliaz area, where foreign terrorists criticised the serving of food at an Urs ceremony, terming it un-Islamic. Resentful locals provoked a backlash against the terrorists. Again, in the Thanna Mandi belt of Jammu province, Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists tried to bury one of their activists killed in action in the shrine complex, only to be thwarted by the local people and the police. These shrines are special not only to Kashmiri Muslims, but also to the Hindus and Sikhs; people come from all parts of the country to offer prayers and seek the blessings of the Sufi saints.

Rashid Ahmed, a local resident says, "It is not possible to erase the popular culture which is the common heritage of people belonging to all communities. Sufi culture which preaches harmony and brotherhood will remain part of our life, no matter what." Election time here only serves to reiterate the centuries-old harmony among the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

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