August 21, 2010 (Sampurn Wire): Kashmiri supermodel-turned-actor Muzamil Ebrahim who fled from the extremist violence of the Valley in 2004 would very much like to return home to help youngsters understand the futility of violence.
However, at the moment Muzamil’s return to Kashmir seems hugely impeded by the escalated violence in the Valley. Muzamil is deeply angered by what is happening to his people back home. “I don’t have any immediate family in Kashmir any longer. A year after I came to Mumbai, my parents sold our home in Kashmir. Now my mother and brother stay with me. My father stays in Jammu and still has business links with Kashmir. So we can’t really pretend we are out of Kashmir. We can never be.”
His friends in Kashmir are very upset with the way government forces are handling the violence. “If armed forces shoot 14-year olds in the heads, no matter what the provocation, there are bound to be deep repercussions and resentment among the people. 22 teenagers have died in recent violence. The entire Valley is burning. The Indian government has failed to make Kashmir feel like a part of India.”
Muzamil is ready to go to Kashmir and speak to youngsters in their own language. He feels only a Kashmiri can understand what his brothers are going through. “Reasoning with them, talking to them… that’s the solution. Not pumping bullets into heads of angry stone-pelters,” says Muzamil.
Muzamil can’t wait to get into Kashmir, “The last time I visited was two years ago, and that too after four years. I’m longing to get back and be of any help possible.”
— Subhash K Jha / Sampurn Wire
