The killing of Burhan Wani, the acknowledged face of new-generation militancy in Kashmir, has thrown a new set of challenges before the system: How to counter his legacy of guns and its exploitation on social media. Security forces have claimed a major success, but the real achievement will be an atmosphere in which his death closes a chapter once for all. In this third decade of militancy in Kashmir, Burhan combined multiple images: an angry young man filled with revenge against the forces that mauled the dignity of his brother six years ago, the boy next door, a symbol of “sacrifice”. His brother was killed by the Army last year. He used social media to lure young and educated boys in South Kashmir into militancy. On his death Omar Abdullah has noted: “Burhan’s ability to recruit into militancy from the grave will far outstrip anything he could have done on social media”. Kashmiri anger has erupted after his death. It requires careful handling. Post-Burhan, the road ahead is quite tough for the government and security agencies. It is tougher for parents who nurture dreams of seeing their wards pursue studies and careers. This is a difficult challenge. It needs a narrative of peace in Kashmir. Many of those who call for peace are being condemned as collaborators. Peace is considered an Indian philosophy and normalcy abnormal by these young activists on social media.The halo of “martyrdom” is being conferred on Burhan for he graduated from a teenaged militant to the awe-inspiring “commander” of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He mastered his terrain from his birthplace Tral in Pulwama to the encounter site in Kokernag in Anantnag. Guns can be neutralised by guns, but there is no counter to folklore in the making. The real test and challenge for the government in Kashmir is how to get the “boys” turn to the pen from the gun. Burhan was “our boy” in the Kashmiri political lexicon — a son of a teacher who drifted away and took to the gun. The only solution is to treat the common man with dignity — in the street and in the home.
