Tale of Kashmir and Ukraine : Drawing Lessons From Unending Seize of Mariupol.
Human history has shown that there cannot be smoke without fire.Both appear true about plight and exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in J & K in the past and that of helpless citizens of Mariupol and Kyiv for now over a month.
A territory that was not only inhabitated but also belonging to native people, such as, Kashmiri Pandits and Ukraineans repectively, has been on latent and manifest fire. While former gets infested with home grown terrorists ,every now and then, latter is also facing attack by Cruise & supersonic missiles and brand new weapons with lurking danger of a possible chemical or nuclear attack.
Patience , perseverance and resistance power of Kashmiri Pandits has been judged and taken care of by unknown Islamic militia opposed to them, gradually or suddenly in some cases.In respect of Ukraine, locals knew their Russian “cousins” following same religion in advance.While Pandits mostly surrendered and vacated with their families in tow ,the erstwhile ‘Soviets’ of Ukraine allowed their women and children to take refuge elsewhere through a stiff bargain of a humanitarian corridor. Maximum numbers of people separated from their families and habitat have found shelter ,not Asylum in Poland ,But most determined men stayed back to give a fight. They are being joined in, by a large number of ex-patriate Ukraineans.
From physically stopping attackers and invaders to throwing patrol bombs, to putting anti- tank barricades,they are now also resorting to Guerilla warfare.
Will The Entry of Chechnyans Make Any Difference ?
Emerging evidence shows entry of Islam following mercenaries from Chechnya, on the side of Russia. Majority are reported to be under the guidance of notorious Sheikh Mansur Gang, who being inhuman and ruthless, could be also called War Veterans, being much ahead of earlier nasty method of Suicide Bombing.While majority of them appear to be hand in glove with Russian Army in surrounding Kyiv ,Kherson Mariupol, and possibly Kharkiev ,a couple of them are now surprisingly taking side of Ukrainens.Their outfit and swiftness too appears distinct from that of armies of two warring nations.
Seize of St.Petersburg (earlier Leningrad)
Ongoing seize of port city of Mariupol in Crimea region and almost Encirclement of Kyiv could be compared in many ways to inhuman and atrocious 872 days of unimaginable seize of Leningrad(re christened St.Petersburg) ,the second largest city of Russia which looked typical European in its planning, landscape and somewhat cosmopolitan character.
This author carries vivid personal memories of July -Aug.1996 of this amazing and mesmerising city of clean water bodies and villas as also relatively small but quiet Vyberg , located near Finland border.
As per inputs assembled from Google, the former capital of Russia, recorded death of one million people and Red Army defenders during 872 days of seize by the German Army. Soon all highways and railway lines were cut off.A narrow supply line through Lake Ladoga was however made available.
When severe winter showed minus 40 degree Fahrenheit temperature, daily ration of citizens was reduced to only 125 gems of bread and people were compelled to burn books and furniture to stay warm.
Soon animals and pets began to be consumed and people had no option but to boil leather to produce edible jelly.
Even grass and weeds had to be cooked at a particular stage. On top of it, hold your breath, unbelievable stories of Cannibalising the dead were heard(sic).
To keep track of it or with a view to contain it ,Police had to create a Special division.
Starvation deaths in biting cold conditions are reported to have claimed 600,000 lives.
With the onset of Summer in 1943, some supply chain was made possible through Lake Ladoga. After testing the unique endurance of city dwellers,Germans began their Retreat and ultimately seize was lifted on 27th January 1944.
Lines of comparison
Seize of Leningrad was mainly the handiwork of foot soldiers,backed by tanks and other war worthy vehicles.Air support was taken only in the beginning to set fire to a large Warehouse having food grains.
On the contrary, in the present case it is all -army, air force, latest Cruise and super sonic missiles and Submarines on the standby in regard to vital sea front of Mariupol.
Coming to civic conditions and availability of food,water, gas and electricity, both situations appear identical. People,in a way, held captives so far, cannot perhaps have unlimited patience and tolerance, akin to that of people of Leningrad.
Ironically, an Ukrainean grand mother,who managed to live through the seize of Leningrad from Sept.1941 to 27th January 1944 by the Germans, died only recently during the ongoing seize of one of Ukrainean cities by the Russians.
Putting The Clock Back ?
While the bouts of sufferings of Kashmiri Pandits are coming to the fore more from 2014 onwards, and for the first time a daring movie called Kashmir File, directed by dare devil Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, seems to have given a fresh Filip to the process, it remains to be seen whether the Kashmiri Pandits spread all over India, may return to reoccupy houses, now being vacated in Srinagar and parts of Jammu region.
In respect of Ukraineans, however, it may take months if not years probably to revert even if UNO succeeds at last or warrying nations reach a compromise soon.
But shedding of crocodile tears by NATO, and a sort of lip service by the President Joe Biden of USA and P.M. Boris Johnson of U.K. may not stand a chance.
Just concluded Dance of Ukraine festival held at London raising therewith, £ 1,20,000 in aid of war victims of Ukraine may make little sense, in addition to funds raised by some other concerts or drives by many men and women celebrities elsewhere.
Graceful Ballet performances by dancers of Ukraine, a few European countries, Brazil, Argentina and U.S.A. is likely to soothen ruffled feathers but tears shed by children and mothers, lost lives and ghastly sight of devastated cities can not be forgotten.
Aaloc Srivastav,
IAS(R),
Ex-C.S, Sikkim