SRINAGAR: In occupied Kashmir, where a freedom struggle has raged for nearly two decades, tens of thousands of students have been debating the values of the Indian champion of non-violence Mahatma Gandhi.

The students delivered speeches in a government-organised elocution contest that culminated with prizes on Tuesday — the pacifist icon’s birthday which the UN decided in June to declare the International Day of Non-Violence.

For the winner, espousing the Indian leader’s non-violent credo was a necessity.

“If Gandhi’s philosophy is not followed, we may soon have law of jungle prevailing everywhere,” said 19-year-old college student Taufeeq Yusuf, who collected the top cash award of $2,500.

“We in Kashmir will not get anything out of violence,” Yusuf added as applause rang out from the audience of thousand of students in Srinagar, urban hub of the anti-India resistance that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.

Gandhi was the leader of India’s freedom movement with his campaign of non-violent civil disobedience that ended in independence of the Sub-continent from Britain in 1947.

“Gandhi was a man of peace, who urged people to shun violence. He didn’t advocate war but peace,” said another student, 23-year-old Tasleema Jan.

“The question is not whether Gandhi’s philosophy is relevant or irrelevant —the question is do we have the courage to follow in his footsteps?”

But not all the contestants were so complimentary about Gandhi, known in India as “father of the nation,” during the run-up to the prize-giving which took place on a lawn bordering scenic Lake Dal, Srinagar’s tourist showpiece.

“Imperialistic powers are using Gandhi’s philosophy to strengthen their occupation of weaker nations,” said university student Baber Qadri, sparking spontaneous pro-Islamic slogan-shouting at a forum on Monday at Kashmir University.

Others said there was no reason to look for inspiration

to Gandhi, who was assassinated in 1947 by a Hindu extremist who objected to his message of tolerance and brotherhood between Muslims and Hindus.

“Why should we follow the Gandhian principles when Islam is there for us as a complete way of life?” asked Irtif Lone, to the applause from listeners.

The contest, which involved students at high schools, colleges and universities across the held state, was the brainchild of Kashmir’s Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, a pro-India politician.

He said he wanted to stir debate on Gandhi’s message of non-violence among students in the state, where unrest has left more than 42,000 people dead by official count since the resistance began in 1989.

Human rights groups put the toll at 60,000 dead and 10,000 missing.

“The response is an indication of the popularity of Gandhian philosophy among the younger generation,” said Azad.

The chief minister added he believed the marathon debating event set a record, at least in India.

“I’m not talking about 50,000-strong audience but 50,000 participants,” he said.

Some school principals, however, said they were summoned by authorities and told to ensure a good student turnout.

Other Kashmiri political leaders saw a sinister agenda in the debate.

“It’s a campaign to steer Muslim youth towards the Gandhian philosophy instead of Islam,” said Syed Ali Geelani, a hardliner who wants the accession of occupied Kashmir with Pakistan.

“Gandhi spoke about non-violence but the soldiers of his country have killed countless people in Kashmir,” he added.

Still, for some students weary of the bloodshed in which at least two people die daily as a result of violence in occupied Kashmir, Gandhi’s non-violent message had appeal.

“Gandhi was remarkable — out of this world. I wish we had a leader like Gandhi in Kashmir,” said 21-year-old student speaker Imtiaz Amin.—AFP