Of separatists and stray dogs

By Naseer A Ganai

GNS JAMMU...: Latest discourse in Kashmir is stray dogs. And all of sudden people are suggesting why separatists are not raising their voices against ninety one thousand, one hundred and ten stray dogs which have been let loose on Kashmiris.

Chief Justice, Justice Khalifullah while hearing case about stray dogs raised a point when the State Government pressed for their sterilisation. He asked whether dogs will stop biting if they are sterilised. Srinagar Municipal Corporation has so far failed to come up with answer to this question but it went ahead with the construction of multi crore dog pounds. In these pounds, dogs will be sterilised, given good food and they will have care takers.  This is the plan of the State to tackle problem of stray dogs. The same State which failed to answer query of the Chief Justice.

Now in case separatist leaders raise voice against stray dogs, will that change situation on the ground. Will it have effect on the population of dogs? Will they vanish? Will they stop barking and biting? After all the decision would not be taken by the separatist that Kashmir should have stray dogs in streets or not. It is the Government that has to decide.

Further, when separatists issue statements on issues like Kashmir dispute, these intellectuals would laugh at them. It is Pakistan and India who have to solve it, they would argue. Then how statement of separatist leaders, on far serious issue of stray dogs assumes significance, when their statements on human rights abuses, Kashmir and South Asia are considered ridiculous. I wonder.

Why should separatists always talk? And who are these separatists? Are not they the same people, who are being accused of opening shops in the name of movement? Good. If these shops are so lucrative, why don't you open one and issue statement yourself about anything. From stray dogs to Michelle Obama. Who stops you.

Anyone can have admission in the University of Separatism. Why to shout at the faculty and the students of this University from outside asking them to do this and that instead of becoming part of the University and taste how it is to be in its campus.