Gul Gulshan Gulfam

by Pran Kishore

  Ghana Batukh shouted this elderly person down saying, ‘You, Rahim Wangnu! You cannot be a judge in this dispute. It hardly concerns you.’

  Malla Khaliq said loudly to all, ‘These allegations and counter-allegations will lead us nowhere. Whatever both sides are doing is illegal. However, there is a solution. Let’s ask the land surveyor – he will check the maps.’

  This irked Muji Dar, who stood up and said, ‘What can the patvari do? His hunger for bribes is insatiable. His only job is to transfer one person’s land to the other who feeds him more.’

  Malla Khaliq stood up. ‘When the two parties are unwilling to settle the dispute peacefully, legal action becomes inevitable.’

  ‘Haji Sahib, do not threaten us. Did you not encroach upon and beautify the land that was around your boats?’ Muji Dar shouted at Malla Khaliq.

  Noor Mohammad came to his father’s defence. ‘But we used the land that was already there. Did we narrow down this lake with fillings?’

  Noor Mohammad’s allegation caused a fresh uproar. Malla Khaliq tried once again to make them understand how their greed was turning their paradise into hell by slow poisoning. But they were so blinded by greed that such calamities did not bother them.

  Seeing that they were adamant to knock each other down, Noor Mohammad held Malla Khaliq’s arm and said, ‘Abba, let’s move away. They won’t understand.’

  This comment irritated Muji Dar’s son. ‘Oh yes, Noor Mohammad, how can we understand, for we all are asses here, aren’t we? Wisdom is your monopoly.’

  Malla Khaliq could not control his anger and said, ‘If only you had an iota of wisdom, you would not be committing such a blunder. If you people on both sides do not stop ransacking this Dal Lake, I will certainly sue you in the court of law.’

  ‘No more of this browbeating! You may go to whichever court you please. We also know how to expose the misdeeds of others.’

  Noor Mohammad led Malla Khaliq to the shikaarah. ‘Idiots! Incorrigible brutes! Beggars! Always mooching for alms!’ Uttering these words, Malla Khaliq stepped into the boat.

  Swana Hakh said to his folks, quite loudly, so that Malla Khaliq could hear, ‘I thought he had come to settle our dispute, but he opened up his own can of worms here.’ Then he said to his brother-in-law, ‘Ghana Sahib, get up and collect all those shafts they have pulled out.’

  Muji Dar pounced upon him, saying, ‘Listen, if you even as much as touch the shafts, I shall chop your hand off!’

  Malla Khaliq felt as if he had venom in his mouth. He said to Noor Mohammad, ‘You turn the boat towards the Boulevard. I will report them at the police station.’

  Noor Mohammad tried to assuage his father’s anger. ‘Abba, how many reports can we file against such dishonest people? There is not one family that is not busy filling up the Dal … to not only create swamps, but also to raise solid land. When the government is not able to do anything, what can you do? Only God can help.’

  Malla Khaliq had gone from office to office many times with the request that something be done to save the Dal, but the officials could not do anything for they had the backing of the politicians. They were all interested in extracting as much as they could out of this illegal activity. He looked round, heaved a cold sigh and said to Noor Mohammad, ‘If we don’t do anything about it, their filling will reach our isle. No, I think I must get them a stay order from the court.’

  When Razaq went to serve afternoon tea to Raja Rathinder Singh, the latter asked him about the commotion in the neighbourhood. But Razaq had no information. Meanwhile, Malla Khaliq, now pacified, walked in, and Raja Rathinder Singh asked him, ‘What can I tell you, Raja Sahib? These fools, I mean the vegetable growers, have made our life miserable. They have turned on each other in their greed for the waters of the Dal. These brutes will certainly make the lake dry up very soon.’

  Raja Rathinder remembered the Dal Lake of old when its crystal-clear waters stretched from Gagribal up to the hills in the north. He was pained to see how ignorant and greedy people had destroyed its natural charm by growing thickets of trees on swamps, and it appeared as if the lake had turned upside down. The dense habitation, stretched far and wide on these ugly marshes, looked like a vast jigsaw puzzle. The conglomeration of ugly huts, houses and shanties seemed to be waiting to expand and cover the remaining lake. Raja Rathinder Singh had witnessed the full glory of this lake as a child. It was after over thirty years that he was here again. He had read many reports about the lake dying, but his eyes could hardly believe that it was being devastated to this extent. Even God could not restore its lost beauty.

  Raja Rathinder, like Malla Khaliq, was absorbed in these thoughts. It was Razaq who diverted his attention by offering him a cup of tea. He took the cup and casting a melancholic look at Malla Khaliq said, ‘Haji Sahib, why are you standing? Please take a seat.’ Malla Khaliq, wont to follow old values, hesitated to sit down in Raja Rathinder’s presence. But on his insistence, he finally sat on the sofa. Raja Rathinder asked Razaq to make a cup of tea for him, too.

  Razaq left and Raja Rathinder told Malla Khaliq that he grieved more than him when he was on the deck of the houseboat that morning, watching over the Dal Lake. ‘Is the government doing nothing about saving the Dal? Are they unable to understand that if the famous lake dies, nothing of its natural beauty shall remain?’

  Malla Khaliq knew that Raja Rathinder was a compassionate friend of Kashmir and the Dal Lake, and thus he unburdened his heart but he also knew that this tourist was there only to enjoy Kashmir for a few days and would then go back to America where he lived after having lost his royal status in India. Still, he hoped that God might send some angel in the form of a human being, who would save and restore this paradise on earth. Raja Rathinder told him that he had met the Minister of Tourism in America and shown him a report, published in an issue of the American Travel about the plight of the Dal Lake. The minister had said that the government had prepared a comprehensive programme for saving the Dal Lake. ‘But five years have elapsed since then, and the Dal is still languishing in utter neglect,’ Raja Rathinder said.

  Malla Khaliq lost his temper and said, ‘All this is idle talk. It’s just a ruse to extract billions of rupees from the centre which reaches the pockets of very few.’

  Raja Rathinder’s wife and his grandchildren came into the drawing room. Their grandson was holding his grandmother’s hand tightly. Freeing her hand, she said, ‘Yes, I will definitely tell him.’ Malla Khaliq asked her what the child wanted. ‘The children are growing impatient to go on a trip of the lake with you.’ Malla Khaliq promised them that he would certainly take them the next morning and said, ‘I will also take you to the place where those people from our folklore got punished and changed into stone for cheating. I shall also show you the stretches that grew lotus flowers. You will see how the water strewn on the broad leaves gets divided into pearl-like droplets.’ Having assured the children, Malla Khaliq took his leave of Raja Rathinder.

  Just then, Noor Mohammad came. ‘It is Haji Ramzan’s wife again, with a proposal for Parveen. Amma is waiting for you.’

  On hearing this, Malla Khaliq blankly stared at his son’s face. Noor Mohammad nudged him. ‘Are you well, Abba?’

  ‘Oh yes!’ said Malla Khaliq as if awakened from a dream. ‘I was just thinking of our little Parveen, who until yesterday did not know how to tie her hair, being considered marriageable.’

  Noor Mohammad burst into laughter. ‘I don’t know what you will decide. But if you are not willing, I will tell this wife of Haji Ramzan’s that our Parveen is not yet—’

  ‘No. That is not the issue. Haji Ramzan’s family is very good and they are quite well off. Let’s go and see which son she has brought the proposal for.’

  The sun rose gloriously behind the lofty cliffs of the Zabarwan mountains, and spread its resplendence across the valley of the rishis. The hillock of Hari Parbat, far behind the lake, emerged from the mist. With this, the aarti to welcome the morning, coupled wit
h prayers from numerous mosques and shrines resounded in the air, making the morning peaceful. Malla Khaliq had reached Makhdoom Sahib’s shrine on the summit of Hari Parbat even before dawn. He had had a sleepless night thinking how time flew so fast that his dear daughter, whom he had raised with great affection, would be separated from him after her marriage. Haji Ramzan’s wife had made Aziz Dyad accept the proposal. He knew well that Aziz Dyad was more experienced than him in such matters. Yet he could not ward off the fears from his mind and that made him go to the shrine early in the morning.

  After the prayers, Malla Khaliq ran his hands down his face, and then stepped out towards the portico. There he hastily put on his shoes and took out the pocket watch which his father had bequeathed to him. He climbed down the stairs to the bottom of the hill and turned towards the Chakreshwari Asthapan which stood loftily at a higher summit of the same hill. The last sounds of the aarti had subsided. When Malla Khaliq reached the bottom of the stairs to the deity’s asthapan, he heard someone saying to him, ‘As-salaam-alaikum … jinaab … Haji Sahib!’

  It was none other than his friend Narayan Joo who was breathing heavily after having climbed down the stairs of the shrine. Malla Khaliq looked upwards and said, ‘Wow! What timing! This is one of the most important qualities lacking in the youth of today; they are not punctual.’

  Narayan Joo embraced his friend and said, ‘Old is gold, my brother.’

  Malla Khaliq was prompt in agreeing. He said, ‘Yes. You deserve a kiss on your forehead, my dear friend.’

  Narayan Joo bowed his head, saying, ‘And who is going to say no to you?’

  ‘My boss seems to be jubilant. I think you received some good news last night,’ said Narayan Joo.

  The two friends sat in the shade of a tree.

  ‘There is a marriage proposal for Parveen.’

  ‘Congratulations! Who is the lucky family?’

  ‘Haji Ramzan. The proprietor of the Neelofer Group of Houseboats and a big carpet dealer.’

  ‘Yes, I know him. Has he sent the proposal?’

  ‘His youngest son is yet to be married. His name is Parvez, I think.’

  ‘Yes, Parvez. He has his business in Delhi. It wouldn’t be wise to lose this opportunity. He is a very gentle and honest young man.’

  ‘I was intending to seek your opinion on this matter. It is my good luck that you met me here.’

  ‘You are really fortunate that the proposal came from the boy’s side.’

  ‘I think so too.’

  ‘There is no scope for thinking further in this regard. People get exhausted seeking good boys for their daughters.’

  ‘But that is truer about our Hindu brothers because all good young men have fled the valley.’

  ‘What else could they do? They prefer to live in the scorching heat of other parts of the country in order to make a living. Now leave this digression. I advise you not to delay in this matter. You go home and send them your consent.’

  The good news had rejuvenated Malla Khaliq after yesterday’s dismal fight in their neighbourhood. He narrated the incident to Narayan Joo. The very thought of that nasty event made his blood boil. ‘You can imagine my position, Narayan Joo. Those guys had the cheek to confront me. They hurled all sorts of abuses at me. You wait and watch. If they are not stopped, they will soon encroach upon the lake till my houseboats.’

  After reflecting for a moment, Narayan Joo said, ‘It is not an issue to worry about. I shall get them a stay order from the court in just one visit. This is a belligerent act against the law.’

  The spot where the two friends sat gave them a panoramic view of the whole Baharara Lake and a major part of the Dal Lake. Malla Khaliq was absorbed in that view, heart, mind and soul.

  ‘Do you see how the lake of our childhood has shrunk?’

  Narayan Joo cast a glance at his face and said, ‘If you do not get annoyed by what I am to say, I will tell you that this is not a new thing. It has been going on for so many years. Why were you silent when it all started? Now when you feel that you are suffering from the malady, you get irked.’

  ‘What could we do? We were engaged in the turmoil, and those selfish people continued bribing the authorities so that their plunder of the Dal remained unhampered.’

  ‘They are going to do the same again, mind it.’

  Malla Khaliq burst out. ‘This is not the time to lecture as our politicians do. The time demands immediate action to stop this plunder forthwith.’

  But Narayan Joo, unmoved by Malla Khaliq’s reaction, said with a smile, ‘Are you out of control again? Let us move now. I was planning to see you at your home. We have to finalize the return tickets of Rathinder Singh. We shall also see my advocate.’

  Saying this, Narayan Joo stood up and paid his respects to the Devi. Malla Khaliq bowed as did his friend. Then the two left for home through Kathi Darvaza, the big gate in the rampart built by the Mughal emperor Akbar.

  There on the Dal, Malla Khaliq’s family was already engaged in the routine morning chores. His second son Ghulam Ahmed had returned from the mosque and was greedily puffing the hookah in his room. His wife heated up his salt tea again in the pot. While pouring the hot tea in the cup, she teased her husband saying, ‘The plane from Delhi arrives at one o’clock; why are you flying in the air much before that? You are reducing even the inner lining of the chilam to ashes.’

  Ghulam Ahmed pushed the pipe of the hookah to one side and said, ‘You should have been working for the CID. I fail to understand why you continue to have a vigil on me from dawn to dusk in these times of freedom.’ Saying this, he turned the pipe of the hookah towards himself again, but Zoon snatched it away from his lips and said, ‘You have this omelette first. I have warmed it up twice. Then I shall fill the chilam with fresh tobacco for you.’

  ‘You know I’m not used to smoking early in the morning. It is your persistent poking that makes my mouth bitter, and then I prefer to fill my lungs with soot.’

  ‘If that is the case, I will try not to be an impediment in your ways. Do whatever you deem good for yourself. I am least bothered.’

  Ghulam Ahmed was a shrewd person. He had the knack of making people turn in his favour even if he had to hold their feet. He moved close to Zoon. ‘Look, my darling. Try to understand that I have many complex issues to attend to, and you are diverting my attention. You ask me to give you an account of every moment of my life … where I had gone and what I did.’

  ‘If I do not stay alert, you may go out of my control and I, like poor Zeb, will end up wailing over my destiny.’

  Ghulam Ahmed laughed boisterously, but Zoon did not stop there. ‘I am serious. These hippies are not to be trusted. They start feeling hot as soon as they find a man.’

  Ghulam Ahmed guffawed even more loudly, but Zoon continued, ‘Do you think I am so stupid that I cannot understand why this Mem reached here at the advent of spring? She has taken this houseboat on rent along with Qadir!’

  ‘Now for God’s sake, stop this nonsense. You have scissors for a tongue in your mouth! You never think before you speak.’

  ‘All right, you please have your meal and leave. Tourists might be waiting for you.’ Saying this, she went away.

  Malla Khaliq and Narayan Joo had left Kathi Darvaza and were walking towards Rainawari to reach the houseboats. But as soon as they neared the gurudwara outside the gate, they noticed several police jeeps and police personnel standing there. Narayan Joo said, ‘Oh no, I think there is some disturbance again somewhere. Let us walk towards our right and pass through Malakhah.’

  Malla Khaliq had the same apprehension, but when he saw the number on the deputy inspector’s jeep and the flag over it, he said. ‘No, let us go straight; it is DIG Prahlad Singh’s jeep. He might have come to visit the gurudwara and this police contingent has come with him.’

  Narayan Joo also observed the flag over the jeep and felt confident. Holding each other’s hands, the two friends walked towards the gurudwara. They moved cautiously as th
ey thought Prahlad Singh was prostrating before the Granth Sahib. But when they reached near the gurudwara, Prahlad Singh came out in his full uniform. Seeing Malla Khaliq and Narayan Joo, he approached them for greetings. ‘Hello, Haji Sahib, all well? How is your business running?’ Then turning to Narayan Joo, he said, ‘And you Pandit Sahib?’

  ‘It is all because of your good wishes that this year’s season has a good start,’ said Malla Khaliq. ‘Let us hope that the conditions remain stable and peace be restored.’

  ‘Yes, with the grace of Wahi Guru, there will be further improvement in the conditions here.’ Looking all around, Prahlad Singh said, ‘What solace this place has to offer!’

  It was for seeking solace that Malla Khaliq and Narayan Joo visited this place so early in the morning. ‘It is the power of this sacred land that gives spiritual solace. The whole of Kashmir is like that, it is the valley of the rishis after all,’ said Narayan Joo, in consonance with Prahlad Singh.

  While they talked, a DSP and two inspectors came hastily towards the DIG. After they saluted him, Prahlad Singh inquired, ‘Any success? Could you nab any of them?’ Bowing his head, the DSP said, ‘Sir, all of them escaped during the night.’

  ‘Damn it! I want them all. All those hippies as well as their supporters – I want them. Some of our officers are certainly in league with these drug smugglers. Do you understand? If it were not so, how could they know when we were going to raid them?’

  Malla Khaliq and Narayan Joo were listening very intently.

  Before he sat in his jeep, Prahlad Singh said to Malla Khaliq, ‘Come in, Haji Sahib. I will drop you to your residence.’

  ‘No, sir. Narayan Joo’s vehicle is waiting for us.’

  Prahlad Singh left in his jeep. The DSP and his contingent also followed him in their jeep.

  ‘Could you make out what they were talking about?’ Narayan Joo said to Malla Khaliq.

  ‘Yes, I did. A strange fear is gripping my mind. To be absolutely honest with you, I am on pinpricks because of Qadir.’