CENTRAL NEWS
The Erdogan regime has proven its desire to recreate an empire through its neo-Ottoman narratives. As the first step in pursuing this dream, the jihadist regime has reached out to all the “disputed” lands in the Middle East and North Africa region, attempting to spread its influence. Kashmir is one example.
Security forces and agencies have flagged Erdogan’s growing influence in Kashmir and are keeping a close watch on the money coming in from the West Asian country that has increased its focus on the region, an article by ThePrint has documented.
Sources in the defence and security establishment told ThePrint that Turkey’s growing influence began over the last few years and increased with the visit of top Pakistani army generals to the country in 2019.
A number of journalists, including two relatives of separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, are now working for Turkish media organizations or pursuing courses in Turkish universities. Suddenly one finds more and more people getting tied up with Turkey,” a source of ThePrint said.
The source pointed out an effort is being made to increase Turkey’s influence in Kashmir especially with the young population. Multiple sources in the defence and security establishment and the civil society seconded this observation.
It all started with a film
The first development that caught the eyes of the security agencies was the Turkish web show Dirilis: Ertugrul (2014), which has now become a rage in Kashmir, especially among the youth.
Dirilis: Ertugrul is a historical fiction based on the life of Ertugrul, father of Ottoman Empire founder Osman I. It highlights the struggles of Kayi, a Turkic tribe that went on to establish one of the most powerful global empires in the Anatolia region. ThePrint had earlier reported that fans not only enjoy the show but say it has helped them “rediscover” Islamic history.
“Many of the youth are now attracted to this series and see religion as part of the creation of the Ottoman Empire. Even though the series was released years ago, the popularity increased over the last one year,” a second source said, adding that the way the show has been produced is attractive.
The sources said a concerted effort is being made to increase the Turkish influence in Kashmir. This grew after top Pakistan Army generals made visits to Turkey last year and met Turkish propaganda arms, they said.
Money-flow
Ankara’s influence isn’t restricted to propaganda. Funds have also started to slowly trickle into Kashmir from Turkey through some NGOs and businessmen, said a third source in the defence and security establishment. “Traditionally, the money came in from Saudi and Dubai. Turkey is a new phenomenon,” said the source.
Civil activist Javaid Beigh said there is no doubt that Turkish influence is growing in Kashmir. “This (is) part of a cleverly planned ploy,” he said. Beigh added that a lot of Kashmiris had shifted to Europe and the Middle East, especially Dubai, in the 1990s. However, one now sees rich Kashmiris making investments in Turkey, he said.
Sources who are studying this growing sway point out that Kashmir perfectly fits into Erdogan’s political game plan as he seeks to counter Saudi Arabia’s dominance in the Islamic world.
Explaining why Turkey is focusing on Kashmir, another source said Erdogan, for his own political gain, is trying to project himself as the one who will bring back the Ottoman traditions that will set the standards for the rest of the Islamic world.
