Who has sown gunpowder in the gardens?

"The entire valley sits in sadness, the season of roses has committed suicide, who has sown gunpowder in the gardens?"

These lines by Gulzar Sahab powerfully depict the pain and loss of Kashmir.

Once a land known for its breathtaking beauty and serene gardens, Kashmir now finds itself surrounded by violence, despair, and a sense of helplessness.

Through these words, Gulzar Sahab captures the deep sorrow of the region, a sorrow that has replaced the vibrancy and peace that once defined it. “The entire valley sits in sadness” is a reflection of how the land, once full of hope, is now drowning in grief.

“The season of roses has committed suicide” is a metaphor for the death of Kashmir’s once vibrant and joyous spirit, a place where nature, people, and peace harmonized beautifully. And then, “who has sown gunpowder in the gardens?” points to the destruction caused by terrorism and violence that has erased the calm and beauty of this land.

The truth is, this isn’t just Kashmir’s problem. Time and again, we hear of such tragedies happening in different parts of the world. Mumbai’s Taj Hotel attack, the horrific violence in Delhi, and so many other incidents where lives were lost and communities torn apart.

The question remains: Why do we only rise in anger after such incidents happen? Why do we wait for the devastation to unfold before we decide to act?

The truth is, it’s easier for us to react when things hit close to home.

But why do we only stand up in rage after the damage has already been done? Why do we wait for these catastrophic events to trigger our sense of humanity? The question is, why don’t we recognize the underlying issues and work towards solving them before tragedy strikes?

It’s time for us to reflect on our collective responsibility.

Why do we wait for such horrific events to awaken us?

Why can’t we proactively build a world that thrives on peace, empathy, and mutual understanding?

The responsibility lies with each one of us to address the root causes of violence and hatred before it’s too late.

This isn’t just about reactions to tragedies; it’s about creating lasting change. It’s about ensuring that we don’t have to wait for another disaster, whether it’s in Kashmir, Mumbai, or anywhere else, to ignite our collective consciousness. It’s time to act, to speak out, and to take meaningful steps toward a world where no more gardens are ruined by the seeds of violence.

Let’s rise above the devastation and work together to create a future rooted in humanity, love, and peace.