Debating Geelani

while Geelani has shortcomings "moderates" can't escape criticism.

This refers to the series of articles written in favour and against the senior Pro-freedom leader Geelani Sahib. Even if one can’t agree to all the points of S.Rashid but it can’t be sheerly described as malice coming out of his pen. He has raised some genuine questions about the leadership of him. Similarly those who have written in support of him can’t be dubbed as just ‘spin doctors’ as Geelani sahib has genuine following among various sections of society which is based on the stand taken by him. Most Kashmiris including me have great regard and respect for this octogenarian leader who maintains contact with people in every nook and corner of valley despite his ailing health., but are averse to his accessionist ideology which will lead us to no where and due to which we as basic party to this dispute loose ground as this reduces this dispute to just two (India and Pakistan) only furthermore it doesn’t help us at international level to gain support and sympathy for our cause.

Geelani sahib in his book ‘Nawai Hurriyat’ has strongly rejected the third option as policy enacted by India to divide the opinion of Kashmiris and while replying to a question given impression that “Azad Kashmir” and this side of Kashmir are separate entities therefore ignored the answer on the subject of their support to freedom struggle and at other place described it as part of Kashmir therefore contradicted himself. Actually it is where the technical fault lies in our struggle. That part was liberated to be our Base camp for our liberation struggle but unfortunately Pakistan has never allowed this to happen in real sense as it kept the remote control of our struggle in his own hands. It was he who vociferously opposed the opening of Srinagar Muzaffarabad road not only because of hectic travel documents but he even suggested to the people having relatives across to wait for Azadi and then think for travel through this road. When recently the saffron brigade chauvinists blocked highway it was his men who were part of Muzaffarabad chalo program for the opening of same route to which he opposed earlier thereby clearly depicting lack of pragmatic thinking and approach while dealing with the sensitive issues relating to Kashmir.

Amidst all this so called Moderates can’t escape criticism, they are the living with fourty options and change it as they change clothes that is most confusing. Once a senior leader of Hurriyat (M) in a seminar at Hurriyat H.Q suggested to his chairman who wasn’t present there due to “illness” to decide whether he wants to be appendage or assert himself like a true patriot and revolutionary. But just few days after it almost all among the top guns of this faction showed signs of surrender and fatigue at a local hotel here during a seminar under the pretext of realism. One wonders that if the view point of their colleague couldn’t reach to their hearts what will be the effect of feelings of common man on street like me on them. Rather than applying mind and taking everybody in to confidence to formulate strategy to make conditions in which India will be compelled to initiate serious tripartite talks they just go with bowl begging for talks. They have become used to succumb under the pressure and follow the dictates of outsiders without seeing the implications of it on our freedom struggle thereby weakening and diluting our case.

Kashmiri people have time and time again showed in many international opinion polls that majority of them want complete independent Kashmir and it is the duty and role of leadership to give direction to the genuine sentiment and present it before the whole world rather than imposing their sweet will on the people. In this regard people of Kashmir don’t need approval of anybody to pursue their ideology as it is our fight and it is we who have to decide its course. Both the factions and others outside it should shun the acrimony and brinkmanship and join not only heads but heart as well. We need collective leadership as we have seen the catastrophe of handing entire edifice of movement to one man in the shape of Indra-Abdullah accord in 1975. Kashmiris have given innumerable sacrifices and are mature enough they won’t allow to letting that happen again. Once Geelani sahib himself said that Kashmir is yet to produce any other leader of Sheikh Abdullahs stature, but even he has some sacrifices to his credit but even after many decades he is remembered for his wrong doings on Kashmir front, pro-freedom leaders better see their fate accordingly in case of any eventuality.

Credit goes to Greater Kashmir for giving equal space to diverse opinions and view points which is its true hallmark.

Kashmir dispute in its historical perespective.

Kashmir is a powder keg, nuclear flash point in south Asia. This dispute has consumed more than 5 lakh lives only from 1947. Kashmir which is having 5000 year old history was an independent country till it lost it’s sovereignty at the hands of Mughals on 1585 A.D. There after Mughals came Afghans then Sikhs then Dogras and now worlds so called largest democracy has occupied it through its military might. About the year 1015 Mohammad Gazane took possession of valley for some time, it reverted again to Hindu kings who ruled it till 1294 A.D. After this Ranchen a Tibetan ruler, ruled it from 1325-1327. After wards the Chakoons ruled it till Mughals invaded and captured it. Later the successor of Nadir shah, Ahmad shah Durrani added Kashmir into their empire from 1753-1819. In 1819 A.D forces of Ranjit singh defeated Afghans and Kashmir became part of Sikh dominion. In 1820 Ranjit singh granted principality of Jammu to Ghulab Singh, the areas of Baltistan and Ladakh originally part of Tibet were conquered by Ghulab singh. Due to death of Ranjit singh trouble arouse between Sikh and British for possession of Punjab. Ghulab Singh gave favorable terms to British and betrayed his fellow Sikhs, British awarded him with territory between Ravi and Indus. Through a treaty on March 9 1846 he got Jammu, Poonch, Ladakh and Baltistan and through infamous treat called Amritsar treaty on March 16 1846 British sold Kashmir to Ghulab Singh. He ruled Kashmir through iron fist and imposed heavy taxes, he also imposed strict laws such as slaughtering of cow was capital offence till 1947 and if a Muslim converted to Hindu he retained all rights of his property but if vice versa he was liable to loose all interests in joint family and property under the state law. Kashmiri peoples struggle for emancipation of their rights became full fledged and organized rights movement after the massacre of 23 Kashmiris by the brutal Dogra Army. The real trouble began when on June 4, 1947 Lord Mountbatten brought plan for partition of India called Indian Partition act 1947. According to this act area comprising of Muslim majority will constitute a new country Pakistan and rest areas having non-Muslim majority will remain as India. But this act was applicable only for British India not for princely states which were near about 564 and were under indirect control of British. These 564 states were given choice either to choose to remain Independent or join any one of the two dominions in keeping two things under consideration first, majority of subjects whether Muslim or non-Muslim and second continuity of their states borders. As for as Kashmir is concerned it was a princely state and was having 85% Muslims and its border has continuity more with Pakistan than with India so there were only two options before Maharaja of Kashmir either he should have declared Independence or announced to accession with Pakistan. But Maharaja under pressure from Congress hatched a well knotted conspiracy, he removed R.C.Kak (then prime minister of Kashmir) and appointed Mehr chend for this slot who was a Hindu from Punjab and also a nominee of congress, bcoz the former one held meetings with the Pakistani leadership as well regarding the future of Kashmir and was known as man of integrity. Later maharaja also removed Muslim servicemen from his police and army removing any iota of doubts what he was planning to do. Maharaja was facing revolt in Poonch against imposing high taxes and this became a popular uprising against his ill motivated plan and he almost lost writ on Kashmir. Later on 4th October Khawaja Ghulam Nabi Gilkar formed first free Government of Kashmir and on 24th Sardar Ibrahim formed government. The laws relating to partition were never honored sincerely. India used its force and captured Hyderabad and later invaded Junagarh on pretext of being Hindu majority area and violated same by invading Kashmir. The state of Kapurthala had Muslim majority but non-Muslim ruler which through help of RSS succeeded in eliminating his Muslim subjects and same was repeated in Alwar and Bharat Pur. These tactics were also used in Jammu province were 5 lakh Muslims were butchered and lakhs were forced to flee mostly during November 4th, 5th, and 6th to turn it in to Muslim minority area. There after this dispute went to UN which passed resolutions declaring it a disputed territory.
The beauty of Kashmir and its picturesque and breath taking serenity always lured many Mughals, Afghans and Sikh governors to think of declaring themselves as independent of their masters. Akbar’s subedar Mirza Yadgar, Raja Sulkhjiwan and Amar Khan two protégés of Ahmad shah Abdali, Sheikh Gh. Muhammad governor under the Sikhs toyed the idea of Independent Kashmir. Even Maharaja Hari Singh personally desired of Independent Kashmir. Chaudhary hamidullah Khan (then acting president of Muslim Conference) also urged Maharaja to declare Independence and assured him cooperation in this regard. In May 1953 Adali Stevenson met Sheikh Abdullah in Srinagar and on the same year on 13th July during martyr’s day speech he said “the Kashmir position was such that it should have the sympathy of both India and Pakistan- it is not necessary that our state should become an appendage of either India or Pakistan”. After the failure of operation Gibraltar and Indo-Pak war of 1965, many Kashmiri stalwarts like K.H.Khursheed and Shaheed Maqbool Bhat started to think of Independent option in practical terms. Due to which Maqbool Bhat became victim of parochialism, sadism and apathy, was labeled as Indian and Pakistani agent by the henchmen of different agencies who were suffering from kleptomania, obscurantism and apathetic attitude. But these monopolistic vampires would be feeling poleaxed to see Maqbool Bhat becoming heartthrob of oppressed people bcoz falsehood by its nature is bound to perish. Maqbool Bhat was a man with mission and vision, who dreamed about independent Kashmir and had to suffer through out his life for espousing this noble cause. But he stood like a rock against injustice and indefatigable against hurricane of suppression and through sheer determination and resilience rose to the iconic stature in the resistance movement.
Moreover India and Pakistani leaders have time and again made commitments to Kashmiris regarding their Independence. On July 11 1947 Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah said “The second question that is engaging the attention of the Muslims of Kashmir is whether Kashmir is going to join the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan. I have already made it clear more than once that the Indian States are free to join either the Pakistan Constituent Assembly or the Hindustan Constituent Assembly or remain independent”. On July 9 1951 Nehru Said “Kashmir has been wrongly looked as a price for India or Pakistan. People seem to forget that Kashmir is not a commodity for sale to be bartered. It has an individual existence and its people must be the final arbiters of their future”. On July 14 1972 Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Said “History has shown us that no right of self determination can be achieved by proxy. If the people of Jammu Kashmir want their independence, if they want to be liberated .., if they want to be free people in fraternity and friendship and comradeship with Pakistan, they will have to give the lead and we will be with them...no matter what the consequences”. On Feb. 18 1992 Nawaz Sharif said “I made it very clear that, of course, the right of self-determination means that let the Kashmiris decide as what they want. This right of self-determination if exercised by the Kashmiris, of course, they have every right to decide whether they want to join Pakistan, they want to be independent or they want to join India”.
APHC which is spearheading the political resistance movement here has clearly stated in one of his objectives that “To make peaceful struggle to secure for the people of the state of J&K the exercise of the right of self determination in accordance with the UN charter and the resolutions adopted by the UN security council. However the exercise of the right of self determination shall also include the right to Independence as explained in sub-clause (ii)”. It is natural that every person belonging to any group has to abide the rules of that group so no Hurriyat leader has liberty to reduce the right of self determination in to two options only if anyone does that he is violating the constitution of APHC. Right to Independence is basic ingredient of UN resolutions regarding self determination and this right can’t be limited. It is also debatable that if conditions are putted with any right whether that remains then right or not?

It is clear from the speech of PM Manmohan singh that borders can’t be changed but made irrelevant that India is using policy of gaining time to consolidate its hold over Kashmir. But she can’t hold Kashmir against its inhabitant’s wishes for ever. India by using repressive policy to sabotage mass movement can’t muzzle the legitimate voice of Kashmiris. The recent visit of Maj.Gen. Avi Mizrahi (chief of Israeli ground forces) to Kashmir to access the situation here to help Indian security forces in counter insurgency operations and the offer of US in April this year to help India in fighting against militants in JK if analysed properly has many security threats for India also as it will shift balance of power in South Asia therefore there is ever apprehension that level of violence will increase. America with its military bases across the world and its troop’s presence in Iraq and Afghanistan wants complete control of affairs in South Asia. In case of US and Israeli help to India, Kashmir will find more space and sympathy in Muslim world; this help will provoke Muslim warriors across world to fight in Kashmir for martyrdom. Kashmiri fighters with limited agenda of liberation of their motherland have restricted their fight with India within J&K but there is no guarantee that warriors with international agenda will do so, they may take their struggle in every nook and corner of India which is already facing trouble in more than 16 states, this may lead to disintegration of India. So this is high time for India to understand multiple dimensions of Kashmir dispute.
India is trying hard to equate our struggle with that of Al-Qaeda to garner support of west but our struggle is a national liberation movement poles apart from Al-Qaeda aimed to achieve complete independence and reunification of our forcibly divided parts of Kashmir. There are about 18 resolutions on Kashmir pending before Security Council in U.N to which both India and Pakistan are signatories and world witness to them. India and America who both were under English rule should understand that national movement’s takes natural course and end only after their logical conclusion. Let policy of ‘live and let live’ prevails. Justice as they say is supposedly blind. It will not be muted and we will not be silenced.

Kashmir is a powder keg.

Following text has been read in conference held at Birmingham London on 4th October 2008 in connection with Azad Kashmir Republic day. The day on which first free Kashmir government was formed.

Kashmir is a powder keg, nuclear flash point in south Asia. This dispute has consumed more than 5 lakh lives only from 1947. Kashmir which is having 5000 year old history was an independent country till it lost it’s sovereignty at the hands of Mughals on 1585 A.D. There after Mughals came Afghans then Sikhs then Dogras. Kashmiri peoples struggle for emancipation of their rights became full fledged and organized movement after the massacre of 23 Kashmiris by the brutal Dogra Army. The real trouble began when on June 4, 1947 Lord Mountbatten brought plan for partition of India called Indian Partition act 1947. According to this act area comprising of Muslim majority will constitute a new country Pakistan and rest areas having non-Muslim majority will remain as India. But this act was applicable only for British India not for princely states which were near about 564 and were under indirect control of British. These 564 states were given choice either to choose to remain Independent or join any one of the two dominions in keeping two things under consideration first, majority of subjects whether Muslim or non-Muslim and second continuity of their states borders. As for as Kashmir is concerned it was a princely state and was having 85% Muslims and its border has continuity more with Pakistan than with India so there were only two options before Maharaja of Kashmir either he should have declared Independence or announced to accession with Pakistan. But Maharaja under a well knotted conspiracy removed R.C.Kak (then prime minister of Kashmir) and appointed Mehr chend for this slot who was a Hindu from Punjab and also a nominee of congress, bcoz the former one held meetings with the Pakistani leadership as well regarding the future of Kashmir and was known as man of integrity. Later maharaja also removed Muslim servicemen from his police and army removing any iota of doubts what he was planning to do. Maharaja was facing revolt in Poonch against imposing high taxes and this became a popular uprising against his ill motivated plan and he almost lost writ on Kashmir. Later on 4th October Khawaja Ghulam Nabi Gilkar formed first free Government of Kashmir. During these days and mostly during November 4th, 5th, and 6th 3 lakh Muslims were butchered by Dogra army with the active help of Rss and other chauvinist communal forces in Jammu which had already spread in many parts of Jammu. About 5 lakh Muslims had to flee leaving their every thing behind. This all was done so that atleast Jammu should remain with India if plebiscite will be held on the regional basis. There after the ceasefire between India and Pakistan this dispute went to UN which passed resolutions and rest is history.

Since then movement for right to self determination is going on through many phases and in this connection we have formed a group in srinagar under the banner of All Jammu and Kashmir Tehreeki Azadi consisting of youth with passion and burning desire to see this dispute get solved once and for all and we stood by complete Independence of Kashmir. we are acting as a young think tank and work in volatile and hard conditions in this disputed region and have understanding with Kashmir Workers Association (UK) which is at initial stage and hopefully will grow in to an powerful alliance because we both are trying to follow the vision and mission and path laid down By Shaheed Maqbool Bhat (A.R) and we will like to have alliance with all other like minded resistance forces in this regard We express our gratitude and solidarity with Kashmir Workers Association (UK) which are working on an important front of our Struggle i.e. diplomatic front and we will Insha-Allah work with them for the emancipation of our cherished dream of Independence.

Notwithstanding the sanctity of the UN resolutions regarding Kashmir the two major parties to the conflict, India and Pakistan, do not appear to be in a mood to honor these resolutions; and this is happening at the cost of solace and tranquility of besieged and beleaguered Kashmiris. Further dereliction on Kashmir front will be tantamount to inviting more trouble in Kashmir in particular and the subcontinent in general. In the backdrop of the growing trend of violence and anarchy all over the globe- with special reference to Iraq, Afghanistan, Chechnya, Assam- it is not advisable to perpetuate the state of uncertainty in Kashmir because the western powers have already declared that Kashmir is a nuclear flashpoint and a fuse in the tinder- box of Asia. Kashmiris are by nature peace loving. Unfortunately India and Pakistan while adhering to their ego-centric stand and stance vis-à-vis Kashmir are literally pushing this heroic and struggling nation to the wall. Three generations have already struggled hard for achieving their right to self determination. Indian intransigence and obduracy is a major hurdle in the peaceful settlement of Kashmir issue. How far is it expedient for the two responsible democracies of south Asia, India and Pakistan to victimize Kashmiris without any respite and reprieve? The younger generation which was forced to resort to violence in early nineties has come of age now and is seriously thinking about a political peaceful settlement of Kashmir issue.

Indian policy of gaining time so as to consolidate its position in Kashmir has made situation worse where the future of whole south Asia hinges on the prospect of Kashmir dispute. People of Kashmir have once again shown that they wont rest until they are given their birth right i.e. unfettered right of self determination. The use of brute force by Indian security forces on the people here won’t cow-down Kashmiris. People of Kashmir would never allow the nefarious and evil plan of saffron brigade to ‘nationalize’ the entire route leading to Amaranth cave and carving out separate Hindu enclaves to succeed and will scuttle their vicious game plan as people here are very sensitive with regarding to land. The agitation of Jammu has made it abundantly clear that Kashmir valley, Doda, Poonch, Rajouri, Gool-gulabgarh and Pak administered Kashmir are real sufferers and hence these areas constitute war affected areas. While rest of areas can afford to wait but the people of war affected areas won’t accept status quo.

It is understood that ultimately this dispute has to be solved through tripartite talks and on negotiation table neither India can take away whole Kashmir nor Pakistan can take it away. And Kashmiris won’t accept any solution reached only between these two which negates their aspirations. So best solution is that both countries cease claim on their respective parts of Kashmir and allow it to get united and emerge as an Independent nation.

On other side of Kashmir situation is not as green as appears to be. To take part in elections one should have affidavit, taking oath of allegiance for Kashmir’s accession with Pakistan, which belies Pakistan’s claim of unconditional support for Kashmir cause. The people of this side of Kashmir particularly youth are more interested in doing business overseas rather than in liberation movement and its leadership has paid only lip service and done almost nothing practical Rather than those sycophants who talk of interim solution and advice to forget permanent solution as according to them independence is not possible even after 100 years, true freedom fighters and revolutionaries should form government there. Who will channelise resources for liberation movement and highlight it in its right perspective besides this will justify its name as ‘base camp’. If Pakistan says P.A.K as ‘Azad Kashmir’ then it should accept it as ‘Azad’ as well which compel India to come clean on Kashmir issue. If movement is of ours then its remote control should also be in our hands as it is we who have to do what is to be done.

The total area of Jammu Kashmir is about 84000 sq miles which is more than individual 93 independent countries and has population more than that of 125 independent countries of the world. We have so much of economic potential if used in better way we will be even able to give aid to other countries. Kashmir has tremendous water resource by which we will be able to generate hydro-electricity on large scale which can be exported to our neighboring countries, alone through this we can become rich state. Kashmir is world famous tourist spot with fascinating and breathtaking natural beauty which can attract thousands of elite tourists who can spend thousands and lakhs and we will be able to earn billions of foreign exchange. Natural herbs are found in abundance in Kashmir and we can use them to make hundreds of medicines and it can prove big source of income. There is tons of waste wood in the forests of Kashmir which is not used and their quantity is increasing, this can be tapped and taken out to make paper for printing and for other uses we can setup hundreds of paper factories here. Fruit, timber, minerals and handicrafts of Kashmir are famous all over the world and can prove big asset for our economy. There are thousands of doctors, engineers and other professionals on both sides of C.F.L working in different countries and earning tens of billions in foreign exchange. Within short period of time we will be great economic powerful country than rest of our neighbors.
People of Kashmir have shown in different international polls that overwhelming majority is with Independent Kashmir. And to the satisfaction of India and Pakistan we say let Kashmiris decide themselves their fate whether they want to remain Independent or accede to India or with Pakistan. It can act as buffer state between India and Pakistan only if better sense prevails over both countries. I will conclude by the saying of Maqbool Bhat Shaheed (R.A) “meray watan key ufaq par Azadi ka suraj toulo ho kar rahega”.

At last I once again on the behalf of my party express my sincere thanks and solidarity with Kashmir Workers Association (UK) for providing me this unique opportunity to present my views before this august audience.
Thnx to all of you for listening me.