A popular Turkish television series, Ertugrul, viewed by Indian-occupied Kashmiris amid the coronavirus pandemic is “relatable” to their day-to-day suffering and gives them hope, a political analyst said.
“It gives me hope that one day by the will of God, our sufferings will end too,” Abu Bakar, a 27-year-old business student who is obsessed with the series, told Anadolu Agency.
Ertugurl gives hope to Kashmiris amid Indian barbarism
Bakar completed five seasons of Dirilis Ertugrul last month but is watching again because of its religious appeal and strong message: Victory is not ours, it belongs to Allah.
“I am strongly connecting with this series as an ‘oppressed’ Muslim. The series is so impactful in many ways that I relate to. It has cultural, social, political and religious appeal,” said Bakar.
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Dirilis Ertugrul, set in 13th century Anatolia, now modern-day Turkey, is based on stories of the Muslim Oghuz Turks, fighting Christian Byzantines, invading Mongols and Crusaders.
Read more: Ertugrul Gazi not really a Turkish cultural invasion
The series featuring Ertugrul Ghazi, warrior and father of Ottoman Empire founder Osman I, depicts the struggles, tyranny, oppression, suffering, identity and justice of Kayi, a minor group of a Turkish tribe of 2,000 people.
“This series fits well in Kashmir. The circumstances here are the same as depicted in the series. It feels like a God’s Man like Ertugrul Gazi has come to Kashmir to end oppression, injustices and tyranny,” research scholar in sociology Manoon Akhtar told Anadolu Agency.
Kashmiris hope for a ‘voice’ as they watch Ertugrul
Experts in the region believe the series has become a sensation because it somewhat soothes the bruised and oppressed residents while giving them “hope” of a voice.
Political analyst Noor Mohammad Baba said death and destruction has been a common sight for Kashmiris for decades and in between a series like Dirilis Ertugrul has more impact as people relate to its content.
Read more: People of Pakistan, Turkey love well-crafted stories: Ertugrul actor Engin Altan
“Three important factors are there for its huge popularity in Kashmir: One, its content is relatable with Kashmir, cultural affinity is there and most important the Islamic values it professes,” Baba told Anadolu Agency.
#Burning_Kashmir_Valley
The greatest need of the hour for Kashmiris is a leader like Ertugrul Ghazi.@Team_IKWarriors pic.twitter.com/uPE69joOs6— Lord of virgo's.. (@Danishcane) July 17, 2020
It was last December when the popular Turkish series made its way to Kashmir, four months after the Indian government did away with the special status of the region while forcing a strict military and communication lockdown.
It was during that time when Kashmiris from outside brought the series to Kashmir in pen drives and in phones. However, in the current pandemic crisis, the popularity of the series grew to new heights as Pakistan dubbed it in the Urdu language in April.
Kashmiris name their newborns Ertugrul as they hope for freedom
The fever of the Turkish series is such that many parents are naming their newborns Ertugrul.
A couple from South Kashmir’s Pulwama district recently named their son Ertugrul after the pair’s eight-year-old daughter suggested the name as she is a die-hard fan of the series.
Read more: Why Does Ertugrul Threaten The Pakistani Entertainment Industry?
“My daughter is more hooked to this series. When I was expecting for delivery, she told me that if we have a baby boy, we will name him Ertugrul and we named him the same,” Nazish Akhtar, the mother of the newborn told Anadolu Agency
Pediatricians say Ertugrul is a frequently encountered name for newborns in Kashmir.
Consultant pediatrician Suhail Naik said for the last four months he has seen many parents name their children Ertugrul.
“It suggests the impact of the series on the people here,” said Naik.
Kashmir: a disputed region
Kashmir, a Muslim-majority Himalayan region, is held by India and Pakistan in parts and claimed by both in full. A small sliver of Kashmir is also held by China.
Since they were partitioned in 1947, New Delhi and Islamabad have fought three wars – in 1948, 1965, and 1971 – two of them over Kashmir.
Read more: Pakistan furious: India violates ceasefire 1600 times in 2020 alone
Also, in Siachen glacier in northern Kashmir, Indian and Pakistani troops have fought intermittently since 1984. A cease-fire took effect in 2003.
Some Kashmiri groups in Jammu and Kashmir have been fighting against Indian rule for independence, or for unification with neighboring Pakistan.
According to several human rights organizations, thousands have reportedly been killed in the conflict since 1989.
Anadolu with additional input by GVS News Desk