A YOUNG college going boy namely, Asrar, who was missing for a couple of days, was found dead in the vicinity of Rainawari this morning. The news spread like wild fire and the level of infuriation among the people which was already at a high (because of the Shopian incident) was amplified. I was in university attending lectures by Nasir sir, unaware of what was happening within the campus. Soon after our class finished, there was this gigantic mob of protestors chanting slogans and approaching our department. Within no time, all of them were in our classroom shouting and telling us all to join them. Some of us went eagerly while some, including me, being quite crowd phobic, remained passive. But in a little while, I could not figure out what had compelled me to do that.

I joined my friends in the protest. On seeing all those people shouting and expressing grief, my conscience was stirred. There was something in those slogans which tore my heart into pieces, I was sweating all of a sudden, and I had goose bumps. There was this guy, fuming with anger and chanting anti-Indian slogans. His voice, I remember was cracked though strong. I was weeping, despite the fact that my eyes were not wet and I instantly found myself shouting and chanting as loud as I could. This Aazadi bug has finally played its game on me. But it was worth it; however I realised it too late. It was a new me altogether, I speculate why I don't feel the same way now. And now as the sun has set, this day has passed, yet it has given birth to an insurgent trait in my persona. Suddenly, I discover myself engrossed in a matter I never before thought of. I can sense worry lines on my forehead. Yeah, I am thinking about my beautiful hometown of Kashmir. Myriad questions over-burden my psyche today.

How long are we going to endure, who will put an end to this ordeal? We have sent countless innocent people to Eidgah. Who will do justice with the blood that has flown in its streets? There are many deaths to be condoled and many souls to be consoled. The young generation of today with conscience is waiting for someone to utilise their energy in the right direction. On the other hand, there are also some people who seem not to be bothered. I found several boys as well as girls, who were there just for the sake of enjoyment. I observed many people in the protest who couldn't afford to open their mouth and raise a voice. One of them was even carrying an umbrella. Imagine, somebody holding an umbrella in the middle of a procession. Oh! These U-V rays, they really damage your skin, you know and some people just can't afford to get sun-burnt, no matter what. At the end of the day, I conclude, they can kill a revolutionary but not a revolution.