Here's an excerpt from a book I'm reading. The author, a Kashmiri Pandit, is recollecting his Maternal uncle's description of the 1947 Pashtun tribal invasion that he experienced first hand in Baramulla.
Here goes:
"When he learnt about the tribal invasion, (Maqbool) Sherwani rode out on his horse, going from village to village, urging people, particularly the Pandits, not to leave. He had been galvanizing people to put up a brave front against the Invaders. His party had coined a slogan to instill confidence among the people.
Hamlawar khabardaar, hum Kashmiri hein tayyar.
O invader beware, we Kashmiris are ready for you.
But when it became clear that the lives of many people were in jeopordy because thousands of tribesmen were approaching, he decided to sabotage their advance. For the invaders, reaching Srinagar was important and they were using local guides to show them the way. Through his network, Sherwani misguided the tribals, causing them to lose crucial time. But eventually, they saw through his trickery and captured him. He was dragged to a hillock where nails were hammered into his hands. ... 'Victory to Hindu-Muslim unity', Sherwani had shouted. A squad of invaders pumped bullets into his body ... "
Everyone needs to absorb the above. Maqbool Sherwani died protecting Kashmiri Pandits. He could have taken the easy way out, saved his own life, and just not cared. But he didn't. He did what was right.
He was a man.
And I'm willing to bet there are many many Maqbool Sherwanis in our midst yet. We need to learn from them. All of us: Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Jews, Atheists, Agnostics, ... We commit ourselves to protecting each other, and we are set. No one will be able to make us kill each other ever again. No one.
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