Kashmiris proud as their sons become Indian Army soldiers

SRINAGAR: At a time Kashmir’s youth are raging against the Indian state, a small group has donned the khaki-and-olive of the army and pledged to fight for the country.

SRINAGAR: At a time Kashmir’s youth are raging against the Indian state, a small group has donned the khaki-and-olive of the army and pledged to fight for the country.

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On a bright, clear Thursday, 308 soldiers participated in a passing-out parade to join the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI) — an exclusive regiment of soldiers drawn from the state. Of the 308, 116 were from the Valley and Muslim dominated areas of Jammu.

Their families travelled in the stealth of night to watch them take the salute and fly the tricolour at the Rangreth Centre in Budgam district — mindful of the tension outside its walls, where a 41-day curfew keeps a fragile peace after violent clashes between young Kashmiris and security forces that have left 66 dead and thousands injured.

This is the paradox facing the average Kashmiri youth — give in to the overwhelming ‘azadi’ sentiment or pursue the stability of a job with the security forces. Most of the recruits from Kashmir and their families weren’t keen on talking about their motives for joining the Army.

Asked why he had sent his son to the army, Ghulam (who refused to reveal his full name) said, “The situation is very bad. It is not easy to talk.” The farmer hails from south Kashmir’s Anantnag, which has seen the highest number of killings (18) in the ongoing unrest that is a result of the people’s anger against the killing of a militant commander.

“We are poor families. That is why we send our children to the army. We know the sentiment of the people (against the army) is not favourable,” said a woman from the same district, who had come to cheer her cousin.

Recruits from Jammu were more vocal. “My childhood wish was to join the army as my father and grandfather both worked with the army,” said Tanveer Ahmad from Rajouri, flanked by his father, mother and 100-year-old grandfather.

On the protests in Kashmir, he said, “Every individual works towards his own aspirations. I appeal to the Valley’s youth to live peacefully. Many students are not able to study and many people are not able to earn.”

All the recruits went through a rigorous 11-month training session at the Rangreth Centre. “The regiment recruits jawans from J&K and brings together three religions — Hinduism, Islam and Sikhism — to bring laurels to their regiment and the nation,” said Lt Gen Satish Dua, general officer commanding of the Chinar Corps.