The story of creation of Kashmir goes back to around 5000 years, when a demon by the name Jalodbhava, who although raised by Nagas, became a trouble for them. The nagas with the help of Sage Kashyap, requested Lord Vishnu to help them get rid of the demon. Vishnu drained the valley of its water and killed the demon. It was on the request of Sage Kashyap, the Nagas welcomed the humans to the valley of Kashmir. This was the beginning of human habitation in Kashmir. As a mark of gratitude, the Kashmiri Pandits (Hindus) still revere Nagas, through the springs of Kashmir (Spring is called Nag in Kashmiri). Almost every temple in Kashmir has a spring considered to be a residing place of nagas of Kashmir and hence sacred
The tradition continued till 1990, when almost in one single night, the entire Kashmiri Hindu population was forced to leave their home of 5000 years. The pro-Pakistani elements and the Jihadis ensured that the valley is bereft of its aborigines and its only minority. On the night of 19th January, 1990, almost 5,00,000 people were forced to flee by force, coercion, threat, killing, rape or any other threat a savage could use.
In the last few years, Pandits yearning for their roots, decided to visit their holy sites. One such visit was planned this year by a group of 40 Kashmiri Pandits, to the holy spring of Kaunsar Nag also known as VishnuPad (feet of Lord Vishnu).
Kaunsar Nag is a spring in the mountain range of Pir Panchal in south Kashmir. The spring has numerous mentions in the religious texts of Kashmiri Pandits and even in the historical texts like Rajtarangani. Konsarnag – Myth, Legend and History
While not required by any law, they pilgrims considering the ground situation in Kashmir, decided to inform the concerned authorities about this trip. The idea was also not to provide an alibi to the authorities in case of an unfortunate event. The approval was duly given by the Deputy Commissioner of the area.
This did not go well with the Jalodbhava of the current era. The three elements of previous Jalodbhava were present in even now. There was Nag (spring), the descendents of Kashyap and water. The jalodbhava, now known as Syed Ali Shah Geelani, raised the voice of protest against the pilgrimage. He initially chose the camouflage of environment, forgetting that the spring and its surrounding were being promoted as a tourist destination by Tourism Department and thousand of tourist visit the spring every year.
On being rebutted with facts and low numbers of the pilgrims, Jalodbhava was left with no option but to show his true colours (Terminate Kaunsar Nag Yatra). The protest was against Hindus doing pilgrimage in Kashmir as his followers’ believe that Kashmir is only for Muslims.
The Jalodbhava created communal tension, instigated violence against the pilgrimage and even threatened the pilgrims. As usual, the weak state government succumbed to the pressure of this demon and prohibited the pilgrims from taking the pilgrimage. (Separatists force govt. to withdraw permission for Kaunsar Nag yatra)
While the mythological Jalodbhava used his physical power to kill people, the reborn jallodbhava uses the gift of gab and religious ignorance to kill people. The Jalodbhava of 21st century has been playing with the lives of many for over the years. While his children live a life of comfort, he has been brainwashing the youth of Kashmir against a plural society and respect for other religions. He has been indirectly responsible for many deaths. In 2010, the Jalodbhava through his rabid communal speeches instigated young impressionable minds to stone pelting and arson, resulting in death of around 120 people.
Post exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, the separatist like Geelani, had been shredding crocodile tears for their Pandit brothers. Knowing fully that Kashmiri Pandits return is difficult, (some even said impossible); they saw no harm in lying blatantly. Kashmiri Pandits were assured of protection, full religious freedom and brotherly treatment. Then something unexpected happen, the 2014 elections of India, threw up a Prime Minister, who for the first time in 25 years, confidently talked about the return of Kashmiri Pandits. This in conjunction with increasing number of Kashmiri Pandits returning to valley for pilgrimage created panic in the minds of Jalodbhava and his cronies. They today feel that Kashmiri Pandits can come back, hence, the mask of Kashmiryat (an imaginary word for ‘Hindus being treated well in Kashmir’) had to be thrown aside to block the return of Kashmiri Pandits.
The modern Jalodbhava sees the return of Kashyap descendents as a threat to his existence, and hence the opposition. Interestingly, the mythological Jalobhava was killed by Lord Vishnu from the very same spot, what is today knows as Kaunsar Nag
