The Kashmir issue is not merely a conflict over territory, but “a culmination of misinformation in the Valley, disinformation around the world, and a lack of information within India itself.” His remarks set the tone for the thought-provoking evening
“Civilians are not just passive observers — they are vital contributors to what I define as non-military security. An informed citizen becomes a strategic partner in safeguarding the nation,” said Prafulla Ketkar, Editor of Organiser, while delivering the keynote address as chief guest at the book launch of Agnyatha Kashmir Files and its English translation Whispers of the Unknown Kashmir Files. The event was organised to mark Kargil Vijay Diwas on 26 July at Vivekananda Kendra Kaushalam, Bairagiguda, in Hyderabad.
Ketkar noted that the Kashmir issue is not merely a conflict over territory, but “a culmination of misinformation in the Valley, disinformation around the world, and a lack of information within India itself.” His remarks set the tone for the thought-provoking evening.
Organised by Samvit Kendra, a Hyderabad-based research institute, the event drew a packed audience of over 250 book lovers, scholars, patriots, IT professionals, and people from diverse walks of life — undeterred by the heavy rains.
The chief guest, Prafulla Ketkar, Editor of Organiser, delivered a thought-provoking keynote address, underlining the vital role of citizens in national security. Emphasising the importance of civil society in safeguarding national interest, he said that national security is not limited to the armed forces alone, but equally rests in what he termed “non-military security”, which involves an aware and active citizenry.
Houseful event-Book launch of Agnyatha Kashmir Files & its English translation – Whispers of the Unknown Kashmir Files. Sri @prafullaketkar ji gave wonderful insights on citizens role & lessons 4m #KargilVijayDiwas Sri @rakasudhakarrao inspired with stories of the unsung heroes. pic.twitter.com/Jv15FnAlk4
— Samvit Prakashan (@SamvitPrakashan) July 27, 2025
He began by stressing that the Kashmir issue is not a recent development confined to the insurgency of the 1980s or 90s. Instead, it is the result of a prolonged and layered crisis spanning decades since 1930’s — a culmination of misinformation in the Valley, disinformation around the world, and a lack of information within India itself. According to him, Jammu & Kashmir was once a spiritual and cultural hub — the land of Rishi Kashyap and Shaivism — but has been gradually transformed by radical ideologies and external manipulation into a region of conflict and confusion.
Ketkar argued that the Kashmir issue is not a product of the 1980s or 90s, but has deeper roots stretching back to the 1930s, when British political interference began distorting the region’s dynamics. He described how Raja Hari Singh, the then ruler of Jammu & Kashmir, had the power to collect taxes from regions that today lie in West Punjab (now in Pakistan) and had jurisdiction extending towards Tibet. Under his reign, key institutions such as the medical college was established in the region. Like all other princely states at the time of Independence, Jammu & Kashmir too was given a clear choice: to accede either to India or Pakistan. The present crisis, Ketkar asserted, is the cumulative outcome of historical errors and manipulated narratives dating back nearly a century.
He further alleged that some Congress leaders were even prepared to hand over Jammu & Kashmir to Pakistan, a view they expressed both publicly and in written columns. Ketkar placed this in a broader historical context, comparing it to the 1905 Partition of Bengal engineered by British Viceroy Lord Curzon along religious lines. That decision, however, was eventually reversed due to the fierce resistance by nationalist leaders such as Bipin Chandra Pal (Bengal), Lala Lajpat Rai (Punjab), and Bal Gangadhar Tilak (Maharashtra). At that time, over 400 secret societies were actively working against British rule, which ultimately prompted the British shift of their capital from Calcutta to Delhi.
Tragically, Ketkar noted, the very country that once forced the reversal of Bengal’s partition went on to accept the partition of India on religious lines in 1947, laying the groundwork for Pakistan’s perpetual hostility. He criticised popular narratives like “a peaceful Pakistan is good for India” or “we must tread carefully because Pakistan is a nuclear power” as misleading ideas that had no bearing on ground realities — narratives that were finally shattered during the Kargil War.
In the aftermath of Kargil, India undertook several national security reforms, he said, many of which were guided by the recommendations of the Kargil Review Committee. Kargil, he asserted, was a major turning point in India’s strategic and military doctrine. Since then, India has grown bolder and more assertive, as demonstrated by the Surgical Strikes across the LoC in PoK, the Balakot Airstrikes, and most recently, Operation Sindoor. These actions, along with the development of Theatre Command Centres, signify India’s preparedness and capability to respond decisively. “Our message to the world is clear,” he said. “India will strike when and where it chooses. We are no longer held back by fears of nuclear retaliation.”
Bal Reddy, a Kargil war veteran and the English translator of the book, shared emotional insights into the ground realities of the conflict, debunking Pakistan’s claims that mujahideen fought in Kargil.
“They were not irregulars — they were trained Pakistani soldiers, backed by Musharraf’s personal ambitions under the illusion of nuclear immunity,” he stated.
He shared stories of valiant officers and soldiers, particularly Brigadier Usman, the “Lion of Naushera,” who was martyred in 1947 and posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra. His grave was desecrated in 2020 by Islamist radicals at Jamia Millia University — a moment Bal Reddy described as “heart-wrenching.”
Author K. Raka Sudhakar Rao, widely known for his popular YouTube channel ‘Raka Lokam’, spoke passionately about his motivation behind writing the book. He described it as a sincere effort to document real-life tales of courage and heroism that have long remained absent from mainstream discourse.
He went on to narrate several powerful stories, including that of Major Somnath Sharma , whose fearless leadership stood tall against adversity, and Zorawar Singh, the legendary warrior who boldly marched all the way to Tibet. Sudhakar also recounted incidents involving brave teenagers who misled Pakistani soldiers into thick forest, showcasing raw courage in the face of extreme danger.
Among the stories was that of Rukhsana Kausar, a teenage girl who single-handedly killed a militant, exemplifying extraordinary bravery. He also highlighted the journey of BSF officer Nabeel Wani, and pointedly contrasted it with the mainstream glorification of terrorist Burhan Wani, questioning the narratives that dominate public attention.
Raka Sudhakar emphasised the urgency of introducing such stories to the younger generation. “I still remember a moment that left a lasting mark on me — the final journey of a Kargil martyr passed almost unnoticed, while, just a few streets away in Hyderabad, crowds were jubilantly celebrating a cricket victory,” he recalled. “That contrast struck me deeply. It was painful, yes, but it also became the spark for this book. I felt a sense of duty to bring forth the stories of our unsung heroes, especially for our children — they must know whose courage and sacrifice has secured their today.”
In his speech, recalled great Telugu poets like Veturi and C Narayana Reddy, who composed verses in praise of our brave soldiers and the land of Jammu and Kashmir in their writings and speeches.
P. Shailaja, Vice President of Samvit Kendra and Director of Samvit Prakashan, spoke about the organisation’s commitment to publishing meaningful and patriotic content. She outlined the various themes Samvit covers — including history, civilisational narratives, and national security — and appealed to the audience to support and participate in this cultural movement.
She appealed to the audience to visit HinduEshop to order books published by their organisation.
Samvit Treasurer Ramakrishna announced a special offer on the books. All Telugu copies were sold out during the event, reflecting the strong reader interest.
The books can be procured online at these links :
Telugu :https://t.co/KZbGXnjLRSEnglish :https://t.co/J6v7nmexAU
— Hindu eShop (@hindueshop) July 28, 2025