Kashmir solution and role of our intellectuals

Some political analysts and commentators are of firm belief that this is the ideal and fully ripe time for the resolution of Kashmir dispute. After the Mumbai attacks Kashmir dispute has once again hogged the lime light and all the key global powers and players have felt the dire need of solving it as it is the key to the permanent and sustainable peace in south Asia. American president Obama all along his election campaign highlighted the need of resolving this vexed issue, and similarly British Foreign Secretary David Miliband made some rational comments which irritated India and recently U.N Secretary General Ban Ki Moon described it as world’s most dangerous place and Susan Rice described it as one of the hot spots.

India may have got some relief from the Obama administrations move to appoint special envoy Richard Holbrooke with his mandate ‘limited’ to Afghanistan and Pakistan only, which many believe was done on Indian governments request as it would have created major hiccups for them as elections are just few months away in India. But it would be impossible for Holbrooke and Obama administration to overlook the lingering Kashmir dispute in their broader assignments in south Asia which has potential to disturb the whole equation of events and Americans know it that road to peace lies through the Kashmir and the basic cause of contention between India and Pakistan is Kashmir dispute and that is why despite Kashmir being not on Holbrooke’s “Plate” he said “ we have to understand that to get the Pakistanis to focus on the west, we have to have a reduction in tensions between India and Pakistan”.

Back home pro-freedom leadership doesn’t look prepared to gear them selves to meet the changes and challenges which may come into effect after the loksabha elections in India will be over, they need to come out of illusion of defeat and set back after the good voter turn out in 2008 elections. If they analyze recent elections properly they haven’t suffered any defeat as the “mainstream” camp got forced to toe their line and they had to leave the pro-India cloak to seek the votes from people hence the stand of pro-freedom camp stands vindicated. And people didn’t voted for any ideology but only for developmental issues and de-linked Kashmir dispute from elections and forced the “mainstream” leaders to do the same. Pro-freedom leadership represents the sacred sentiment which is deep rooted in the hearts and minds of people of Kashmir, so there is no question of defeat or of any setback to them.

Our intellectuals should come up with innovative ideas and present them before the pro-freedom leadership rather than criticizing them only and they should stop questioning the commitment of people towards the freedom struggle as people are wedded to the cause of complete independence and sovereignty of Kashmir. Yes criticism is necessary but only criticism won’t do anything, our intellectuals should put their heads together and present suggestions before the leadership and guide them to empower them with new ideas constantly so that they can carry on freedom struggle with renewed vigor and impetus. Recently many pro-freedom leaders admitted that due to lack of any strategy they failed to capitalize on the popular agitation witnessed in 2008 and lost an important opportunity. Now it is for intellectuals to come forward and help them in formulating a clear and workable strategy. Mere criticizing them would amount to hypocrisy. It is the responsibility of everyone to see and check whether the struggle for independence is going on in right direction or not, as we all belong to this soil, hence can’t escape the huge responsibility laid on our shoulders by the lakhs of martyrs who gave their red hot blood to highlight this dispute in international arena. In this regard intellectual class of our society has more responsibility and they should take the lead and discharge their moral and national duty accordingly and it would be better if they will do it collectively.

India has always been in denial mode in accepting Kashmir as the core dispute this has impinged the peace, progress and security of entire south Asian region, this dispute has led to the arms race in this region due to which it has become a big drainage to the sources of India and Pakistan and of Kashmir as well hence its resolution is must and in the interest of all. So it is imperative for the pro-freedom leadership that they exert themselves like conscientious protagonists of the cause of independence of Kashmir and it is for our intellectuals to add more subjectivity to it which will prove a deterrent against the trends of war in South Asia and will act as buffer between India and Pakistan.

Where are they?

Few days ago APDP (Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons) staged a sit in protest in the heart of Srinagar pressing for their demand of whereabouts of their relatives subjected to enforced custodial disappearance by the various security agencies, troops and police mostly since the break out of armed rebellion from 1988, and appealed the C.M Omar Abdullah of setting a truth and reconciliation commission of which he has remained a vocal supporter before and during his election campaign.
According to APDP more than 10000 people have been subjected to custodial disappearance and C.M being Chairman of Unified Command Council has moral duty to look in to their genuine and humane demands. Subjecting people to custodial disappearance is worst kind of human rights violation and it has been mostly seen the relatives of disappeared persons suffer from the mental trauma and remain in dilemma about the safety of their near and dear ones which is horrific to say the least. After the shocking discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves in different parts of Jammu and Kashmir mostly from Uri many including the relatives of disappeared fear about their loved ones who have gone missing under the custody of troops. Even a stone hearted will get softened as their demand is nothing but to show them the graves of their dear ones if they have been killed or let them a chance to meet them if they are alive.

In many cases where the perpetrators of human rights violation be that custodial disappearance, custodial killing, fake encounters or other violations have been identified they have got away from any kind of accountability by the draconian laws powered to them through which they enjoy total impunity from the law of land. Indian prime ministers assurance on the soil of Kashmir about ‘Zero tolerance’ to human rights violation and assurance by any other leader will continue to remain as mere rhetoric as long as these draconian laws are not withdrawn. Recent statement of Mufti Sayed (former C.M) merits attention where in he also stressed on this fact that investigating these violations on case to case bases will be inadequate. Recently a news report in various media sections carried the statement of Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Alliance in which they demanded abrogation of Disturbed Area and Armed Forces Special Power Act as these laws are a hindrance to get foreign tourists to Kashmir, hence a major stumbling block to the tourism sector.

In 2004, a Manipuri women Thang Jam Manorama was abused and killed by Assam Rifles and after the protests erupted to repeal the AFSPA then in November that year the then Prime Minister of India A.B.Vajpayee constituted a committee to review the provisions of the AFSPA and the said committee submitted report in which it was reported that “the act, for whatever reasons has become a symbol of oppression, an object of hate and an instrument of discrimination and high hand ness”. But unfortunately this report was made to appear like as north-east centric view and missed J & K where violations are much more and according to average mentions about J&K by the US state dept in its country state report on human rights violations and killings in conflict areas from 1993-2002 are 56.4 and combined seven states of north-east is 36.2 which is far less than J&K. It is the oppression unleashed by Indian troops backed by these black laws which have alienated the people of Kashmir more and more and in the words of South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) this alienation among the people of Kashmir is complete and irreversible.
The brutal tactics employed by the India. forces here to suppress the movement for unfettered right of self determination have always backfired as this have provided the necessary ammunition to the freedom struggle to move forward with renewed vigor and this was witnessed by whole world during the agitation here few months back. Kashmir dispute will continue give sleepless nights to the Indian leaders and policy makers and this dispute if left unresolved will continue to remain as major threat to peace and progress of South Asia. Hence a multi pronged peace offence is needed to start tripartite talks for its final resolution. To make the atmosphere conducive for meaningful talks India has to initiate steps to remove the deep mistrust which she has created by its denial mode and time gaining policies, first and foremost these draconian laws should be repealed, troops should be moved back to barracks in a phased manner and a impartial commission should be made to look in the violation of human rights as demanded by ITHB and APDP and let them know where there near and dear ones are for which they have been protesting from a long time.

Welcome Move

Now leaders of Indian Muslims have decided to form a political party at national level though late but better than never. This is a welcome move by the Muslim leaders of India it should be appreciated as a positive and an assertive step taken by them. The announcement of forming a political party of Indian Muslims at national level came in a press conference by Maulana Baduruddin Ajmal, who heads the Assam United Democratic Front, earlier few days ago newly formed Ulema Council also decided to field two candidates for two seats of Azamgarh Sadar and Lal Ganj to espouse the cause of Indian Muslims at national level.
While its need was felt among the 180 million Muslims living in India since a very long time but it should be a united well coordinated effort rather than striking individually and separately for this cause of upliftment of Muslims across India . Indian Muslims used to and are relying on the so called secular parties for the fulfillment of their needs and in return they get nothing from them and these parties treat them just as their vote bank only and use lip service and verbal jugglery to please them and did nothing substantial work for them on ground so far. The condition of Muslims is pathetic and as stated by Sachar Committee report that in various places of India the condition of Muslims is even worse than of Dalits ( considered to be of ‘low caste’ and untouchables by some Hindus). There representation as per the above report is almost negligible in all sectors and clearly lack representation, their share in govt employment is 4.9% against the population of 14% and in many states it is exactly zero. They are way behind in every sphere of life.
Rather than relying on others Indian Muslims will have to take the burden of their grievances and problems themselves and address them on their own as rightly stated by Maulana Ajmal “we heavily depended on secular parties to work for our socio-economic and political empowerment. This is not possible we have to solve our problems on our own”.
Another problem faced by the Indian Muslims are that they have been made scapegoats in the name of national security rather vilified as was seen recently when many youth almost all Muslims were arrested on ‘charges of involvement in bomb blasts’ from the remote and most backward district of Azamgarh in U.P. They are being selectively targeted for any wrong that happens in India . They are treated as second class citizens with no trust on them in their own country, among India ’s Security Agencies (namely, CRPF, CISF, BSF, SSB etc.) Muslim representation is 3.2 per cent only. Those who lynched, mauled and mutilated them by instigating anti-Muslim riots in which thousands of Muslims were butchered mercilessly find themselves in higher echelons of power rather than facing the law of land and escape any accountability with total impunity. The followers of Damodar Savarkar have gained much ground in ‘secular’ India by inducing fear among Muslims and inviting Hindutva doctrine.
Ironically the so called secular parties of India have always played pawns in the nefarious game plans of saffron forces, they in real sense act as team ‘B’ of these Hindutva brigades in their every heinous act. Muslims of India look scattered at present with no direction and their future looks uncertain in this dark atmosphere amid this the decision of these Muslim leaders to form political party at national level to focus for upliftment of Muslims from the backwardness and removing the stigma attached with them is a welcome move and a right step in right direction.

Arrogance and double standards

The savagery of Israel is before whole world, the naked dance of death and destruction, mutilated bodies, scenes of injured persons and the rubble of buildings scattered all over Gaza. Her blood thirsty belly consumed more than 1300 innocents without any mercy. Though the announcement of ‘ceasefire’ has come with it withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza but the peace in the region looks uncertain yet as borders of Palestine are under total siege by Israel. Israel once again showed her crude and arrogant face throwing every law and morality to winds with U.S at its back. Used white phosphorus bombs which burns quite fiercely and other unethical weapons on hapless people of Palestine. Bombarded U.N head quarter in Gaza at a time when U.N general secretary Ban-Ki-Moon was in the region for ‘peace initiatives’ Had this act been taken from other side the reaction obviously would have been different, whole world would have not only joined heads in the condemnation but for sanctions as well.

Although India used some measured words in the condemnation of Israeli attacks on Palestine but still it has no moral ground to condemn it as it enjoys close relations and proximity with Israel. Both learn from each others suppressive tactics which they employ in their respective occupied parts. Recently chief of Israeli ground forces Maj. Gen. Avi Mizrahi visited Kashmir in helping Indian forces in their counter insurgency operations in Kashmir to crush the armed rebellion here. Both are alliance partners in perpetuating State terror and oppression on the people who demand their birth right of freedom and statehood.

Meanwhile the heat and dust created by India in the aftermath of Mumbai attacks refuse to die down as India has threatened to snap its ties with Pakistan and according to reports India is keeping its ‘powder dry’ till SAARC foreign ministers meet at Colombo in what India says ‘to line world’s solidarity after Mumbai attacks at its doorstep and to build collective pressure on Islamabad to dismantle terror infrastructure’. While the hot pursuit adopted by Congress is understandable as it wants to reap on the charged atmosphere to its election benefit as elections are few months away exactly what BJP did after Kargil war but so called Indian peace activists have also toed the government line. The former U.N under secretary general Shashi Tharoor in his article in times of India titled “Keep up the pressure” says “The threat of sanctions (by UN) would be even more potent if they specifically targeted the Pakistani military, including travel bans and other military assistance…Pakistan must not be allowed to believe that with the passage of time, Mumbai will have been forgotten and Islamabad will be off the hook”.

Sensing the loosing of ground to Congress the BJP has upped the ante by raising the issue of Afzal Guroo once again to checkmate the congress. Many insiders of Congress believe that by hanging the Afzal Guroo congress will atleast finish one issue with BJP, without visualizing the repercussions and consequences it will have in valley and on the newly coalition of NC-Congress. India finds itself in the whirlpool of duplicity and double standards and this was echoed by former Home Minister Shivraj Patil as well while speaking to the media men he had said “people are saying don’t hang an Indian in Pakistan, Sarbijit, and then are demanding hanging of Afzal Guroo”. Remember how A.R.Antulay had to resign, simply for demanding investigation in the killing of ATS Mhahrasthra Chief in the wake of Mumbai attacks, which smells something fishy in the Indian camp.

Though due to Mumbai attacks the fragile peace process has received a jolt mainly due to jingoism and belligerence of India and the over reaction showed by India over the David Miliband’s statements shows her denial mood and rigidity but and core dispute of Kashmir can’t be put on back burner forever as its nature wouldn’t allow her to do so. This main dispute of Kashmir if kept lingering will escalate the tension in the region so it is better for India’s own Security and progress to shun obduracy and intransigence and come to negation table without closed chest. Both countries (India and Pakistan) being Nuclear armed can’t afford war therefore best for them and for entire south Asia would be the restoration of national sovereignty to the Kashmir which will usher an era of long-lasting peace, security and progress of entire South Asia.

Tryst with freedom

Kashmir is a lingering international dispute, basically a simple political issue involving the future of people of Kashmir who have to decide its course through a promised plebiscite but the chauvinism of the Indian rulers rendered this dispute complicated and confounded.

Kashmir which is having 5000 year old history lost its sovereignty at the hands of Mughals on 1585 A.D. There after Mughals came Afghans then Sikhs then Dogras and then afterwards claiming it self as world’s largest democracy laid her hands on this through fraud, foul play, treachery and using military interference. 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. 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 U.N which passed resolutions declaring it a disputed territory whose future is to be decided by its people through a referendum to which both India and Pakistan agreed.

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. Akbars 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. Moreover India and Pakistani leaders have time and again made commitments to Kashmiris regarding their Independence.

Recently former Finance Minister Tariq Qarra had laid proposal of Kashmir having its own currency which it was enjoying before 1947 but due to unknown reasons it was shelved under the carpet. May be due to the reasons that it didn’t suited those who matter at the higher echelons of power as Kashmir having its own currency has potential and impression of being a sovereign state. Though due to recent Mumbai attacks the fragile peace process has received a jolt mainly due to jingoism and belligerence of India but the main cause and core dispute of Kashmir can’t be put on back burner forever as its nature wouldn’t allow both countries to do so. So it is better for India’s own Security and progress to shun obduracy and intransigence and come to negation table without closed chest. Both of them (India, Pakistan) are nuclear states so can’t afford war therefore best for them and for entire south Asia would be the restoration of national sovereignty to the people of Kashmir.

Broken Promises Reason of Marking Black Day

On 26th January 1950 India became a sovereign democratic Republic with a written constitution and elected parliament. The Indian Constitution, the longest in the world, consist 397 articles and 12 schedules which provides for a single citizenship for the whole of India. Really something to cherish and enjoy for Indians and reason for them to make celebrations to mark this day as national pride and honour.

But the coin has other side as well, as India marks its Republic or Independence day with whole of its population expressing joy Kashmiris prefer other way by marking this day as black day by a general strike and processions at various places to show the resentment brewing in their hearts and minds. It is not out of hatred but due to Indian leaders who despite their clarion commitment regarding a referendum in Kashmir for its final dispensation blatantly reneged on their promise and pledges.

Does it suit you as a country who claims itself to be ‘world’s largest democracy’ to hold a region against its populace’s wishes and aspirations and deny them the basic democratic and internationally recognized right of self determination which you promised to them before whole world. Your betrayal and perfidy has cost your honour as a great nation. And how can you stake a claim to the permanent membership of UN Security Council when you put your damn foot on the resolution passed by this world body to which you and Pakistan are signatories and shamelessly declare Kashmir, an internationally recognized territory, as your integral part and get irritated by some rational comments by world leaders who foresee its inherent potential to destabilize peace of whole South Asia.

Bayonets and bullets cannot be answer to Kashmir crisis. You trample your own constitution while dealing with Kashmir and by putting restrictions on those who dare to challenge your might by putting them behind bars for propagating peaceful resolution of Kashmir dispute and thus violate the right to freedom of speech and expression guaranteed by article 19(1)(a) of Indian constitution. You lynched, mauled and mutilated Kashmiris because they reminded you of your own promise. Kashmir has potential to destabilize your integration as if kept lingering new generation of Kashmir who are committed to their motherlands cause may take this struggle to your streets and lanes if you kept your self in denial mode and continue to rule Kashmir with iron fist through military muscle backed by draconian laws. So it is better for you to adopt prudence, sagacity and magnanimity and strong political will to solve this dispute. As you flutter your national flag in pride here your troops continue to unleash the hell on oppressed people which forfeits your claim of championing human rights as putted by Howard Zinn:-
There is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killings of innocent people.

World Consciousness on Trial

Zionists have turned Palestine again into a killing ground. Flexing their military might on innocent people, displaying every muscle of lethal weapons which she possess, unchecked, on unarmed people, showering bombs, bullets, rockets and other unethical weaponry generously on children, woman, young and old alike, bombarding Schools, hospitals and other buildings turning them into rubble, choking essential commodities and life saving drugs at her ‘sweet’ will. Using every possible way to hammer Palestinians. And world sees this all with great ‘calm’ and composure’ and the ‘sole super power’ derives sadistic pleasure from the cries of people of Palestine and nips any effort to check the hooliganism by this rogue state by using veto power.

Equally condemnable role is of Arab countries they are watching this like mute spectators and have no moral courage to stop the havoc wreaked and hell unleashed by Israel, such a small country having few million population covered by Arab States. Despite having wealth and abundant natural resources they are weak militarily. Together they were handed defeat by Israel in just six days in late 1960’s. One wonders what they are doing, many of them doesn’t have even regular forces not to speak of latest and modern naval, aerial and ground forces. They have got consumed in the luxurious life styles. U.N.O, O.I.C, Arab League and other world bodies haven’t moved beyond their ritualistic statements. The win of Hamas in popular elections in a democratic way has not gone well with the ‘champions of democracy’ as they see it as their end of monopoly and hegemony. They only want their brand of democracy, where in their puppets are in power, to flourish as it suits their vested interests. They have achieved success in this endeavor as almost in every Muslim nation except few their stooges are in chair, who take every step to please their mentors latest being statement of President of Egypt Hosni Mubarak when he impressed upon E.U that Hamas shouldn’t win the war in any case, and on his directions border with Palestine has already been closed so that Palestinians find no escape route.

There have been protests by people across the world including in Kashmir against the savagery of Israel and rightly so but people of Kashmir fail to understand why no such similar protest for them anywhere, why no strike in any part of world (not even in any Muslim nations) to show solidarity with the suffering masses of Kashmir which we are used to do. Kashmir is highest militarily occupied zone in terms of population ratio where in innumerable massacres, killings of civilian’s at large scale, human rights violation backed by draconian laws mocking rights conventions are regular ‘features’ but still conscious of world has not woken up. Kashmir being declared as an internationally recognized disputed territory having 18 resolutions pending before Security Council is not getting attention of international community to play constructive role in mitigating the pain and suffering of its people. Despite the seminars and international conferences by Kashmiri diaspora around the globe, which should be hailed, but no country is openly coming forward in support of Kashmiris right to self determination. During the recent agitation against land transfer and against economic blockade it did find some mention in international news channels and dailies but unlike any other international conflict regions doesn’t get place for in-depth coverage and analysis. Even U.N Secretary General Ban Ki Moon didn’t uttered a single word about Kashmir in his priorities for this year. The reasons on which, we all have to ponder on. May be the confusing and conflicting signals going across about what actually Kashmiris demand although people have time and time again showed that they are for complete independence as only way out. It is only the pleaders and those who claim to profess this ideology failed to deliver and put it on right track.

Pro-freedom leadership has to extricate themselves from the self made cocoons of egocentricity and leave the beaten tracks and adopt objectivity, selflessness, courage and devotion to push the cause of independence with full conviction. We can’t pin hopes on those who have paid only lip service in our support they know only to throw some ‘oil dollars’ and think they are doing their job. They pass resolutions in support of our right to self determination, actually on paper only, and on other side show keenness to strength ties with India, their materialistic things are paramount to them than our blood. It is only after we follow the course of complete independence of Kashmir to press India and Pakistan to come clean on Kashmir dispute, which will benefit them as well, that a final synthesis of peace can be found in entire sub continent.

Commitment of people is intact

Rather than showering choicest of abuses on ‘Kashmiri gene’ we should peep into the history which bears testimony to the fact that Kashmiris have kept flame of struggle alive from more than 423 years in one way or other and are fully committed and wedded to the cause of independence

This refers to the seven phased elections which are over reportedly with 60% voter turnout and would be Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who will head NC-Congress coalition is likely to take oath on 5th January. These elections have given rise to the new debate about the character of Kashmiris, many term Kashmiris as fickle minded, peculiar having double standards, a different breed from the rest of homosapiens, though they themselves belong to this nation. It is true that those who were waiting in long queues to cast their vote were those who were in fore front in the agitation against land transfer and in the long marches. But the approach of many among us towards elections is more emotional rather than logical. We waste no time in cursing our own nation and point fingers towards our own country men simply because they voted for formation of new government, actually just to have their basic needs met, we behave as if they voted against popular sentiment and against majority national aspiration.

We should rethink about the approach we are following about the elections from many decades and think about its merits and de-merits. Though majority of voters voted for only developmental related issues and not against the sentiment and even those seeking votes delinked it from resolution but still we mix it with our sacred cause and count it as treason. While we fight for implementation of U.N resolutions which provide international legs to our struggle for right of self determination we simply ignore and forget its resolution about the said matter which clearly states “Administration of Jammu and Kashmir cannot take any decision which may change the status of territory of Jammu and Kashmir”. So it is clear that those getting elected after seeking votes from people have no mandate for resolution of Kashmir rather only for administrative purposes. How we forget that it is this boycott call which provides credibility and infuses fresh blood in the election campaign by “mainstream” leaders and allows Delhi to sell this to outside world as rejection of “separatist” ideas and acceptance of its ‘democracy’.

If we turn the pages of history we see that Muslim League and Indian National Congress fought elections under British rule still they remained committed to their cause and got Pakistan and India respectively free from occupation. Here we have more leaders than followers part of amongst them can take reins of administration for undoing the wrongs which “mainstream” leaders have committed and provide some relief to the suffering masses while others can carry forward mission to push for resolution of Kashmir. Rather than showering choicest of abuses on ‘Kashmiri gene’ we should peep into the history which bears testimony to the fact that Kashmiris have kept flame of struggle alive from more than 423 years in one way or other and are fully committed and wedded to the cause of independence, it is for others also to comprehend our resilience rather looking only for cosmetic measures to sideline real dispute. We should also understand that boycott call provides free license to some sycophants to remain in prominence and sell our land, honour and dignity as and when it suits their vested interests. They follow script prepared by their masters sitting at Delhi and act accordingly and inflict wounds on this already bruised nation. Whether we vote or boycott these opportunists come into power without any real fight from any quarter and enjoy privileges and perks without caring for people.

Further more the authorities silenced the voice of dissent with iron fist by putting entire top leadership behind bars thus preventing them to propagate their ideas and gagged the media and didn’t allow it to carry its professional duties freely by beating, arresting media men and by issuing written statements baring them to issue statements from Pro-freedom camp about elections and authorities turned Kashmir into garrison and kept entire populace hostage during this exercise of elections, there were reports of bogus voting particularly in Srinagar on large scale and forced voting in some places like dadsar, kuchmulla etc. which puts question mark on the claims of authorities regarding elections being ‘free and fair’.

We shouldn’t leave any space vacant for those who have sold their conscious to Delhi and allow them to prosper on our miseries, and if pro-freedom camp can provide some people who after getting elected can deliver in turn they will learn to run the administration efficiently which will help us in running our affairs smoothly when we will achieve independence. So we should adopt a rational approach towards elections and delve deep into pros and cons of poll boycott.

Blaming Pakistan

After the Mumbai attacks which were shocking and heinous in which innocent people got killed, India has unfortunately traditionally chosen to put blame on Pakistan in jiffy when even encounter was still going on at many places in Mumbai without any proper investigation and Indian media without wasting any opportunity added fuel to fire by their senseless reporting. Many questions have been raised from different quarters about this attack ranging from how the attackers easily managed to cross sea barrier to enter into such high profile areas with such heavy arms and ammunition and about the killing of Hemant karkare (ATS chief) who died due to the bullets which hitted his chest when he was wearing a bullet proof jacket.

The investigation of Late ATS chief and his colleagues who were also killed in this attack had unveiled the brutal truth of India’s home grown saffron terror activities, which embarrassed many high ups and big wigs but still India blamed Pakistan and its agencies for carrying this deadly attacks and manoeurved US support in mounting pressure on Pakistan by flexing diplomatic muscles quite efficiently. Government of Pakistan offered India help in investigation even though Indian stance was hawkish and according to Pakistan India is not sharing concrete evidence which she claims it has about the attackers.

According to USA report Indian intelligence agency RAW is creating trouble in Afghanistan by funding and supporting terrorists to keep the pot boiling there so that Pakistan remains busy in bloody conflicts along its Afghan border. India termed Mumbai attacks as part of Global terrorism concerning international community while calling Pakistan as “epicenter of terrorism”. Even though number of attacks in which civilians, army personnel and foreigners got killed took place on its soil and recently famous Marriott hotel was blasted killing many including some foreigners but still Pakistan has refrained from such blame games as it serves no purpose other than making things worse. Pakistan is not any banana republican and this has been correctly stated by Arundati Roy that this attack is not India’s 9/11 because neither Pakistan is Afghanistan nor India is America.

Indian request for banning JUD was accepted by security council even though it had done a commendable job in rehabilitation works in the wake of oct, 2005 earth quake in Azad Kashmir. But groups like VHP, RSS and others are left Scott free who are responsible for bomb blasts, massacre of minorities in India like witnessed in Gujarat and Orissa. Overbuyed by this L.K.Advani called upon U.S to accept P.A.K as integral part of India but it is a bitter truth and needs no explanation that Kashmir is not integral part of any country rather internationally recognized disputed territory having about 18 resolutions pending before U.N Security Council favoring Kashmiris birth and inalienable right of self determination to which India and Pakistan are signatories and world witness to them. Obviously the conspirators of Mumbai attacks are those who never want that India and Pakistan should come close to each other rather be at logger heads so that disputes which serve their vested interests can never be resolved. The best outcome of Mumbai attack as Abdullah Hussain Haroon (Pakistan’s U.N permanent representative) putted would be the resolution of Kashmir dispute and a befitting reply to these conspirators. But it would be possible only if better sense prevails over Indian leadership.

Leadership People and Strategy

This refers to the interview of many senior pro-freedom leaders. One thing was common in them after reading their viewpoint that is they all believed that we don’t have a sound and workable strategy which is necessary for any success.But they are senior most leaders and part and parcel of any decisions taken. If they think we don’t have any strategy why don’t they apply mind and formulate any workable strategy. Why can’t coordination committee have a think tank behind them which can formulate plans and action needed and our leadership will implement that accordingly.

No body can deny the role of meaningful talks in the context of resolution of dispute it is understood that ultimately this dispute has to be solved through tripartite talks but on the negotiation table neither India can take away whole Kashmir nor Pakistan. And Kashmiris won’t accept any solution reached at only between these two, which negates their national aspirations. So the only way out is complete independent Kashmir having good relations with all of its neighbors.

Though in the first three phases of elections there was good voter turn out although mixed with ant-election protests but people didn’t voted against their basic right of freedom. Just few months ago our leadership was so pessimistic that they were almost thinking of retreat. And over-buyed with this thinking of no repercussion “mainstream” leaders putted our land on sale. Then what followed was totally unexpected for “mainstream” leadership. People in millions came on streets and showed what was brewing in their heart and mind and totally rejected this set of leadership because they have sold their consciousness and honour of nation before their masters sitting at New Delhi and regarding future of Kashmir neither they have any role nor do people trust them in this regard. Our pro-freedom leadership should rethink on this as how long it would be wise to push people to these opportunists, they should come up with new strategy.

During polls it was reported that at many places “mainstream” parties took advantage of economic condition of people by distributing blankets and other things in lieu of votes. We should develop a mechanism were this sort of exploitation should be checked. During land transfer and economic blockade about 70 people gave their blood and our leaders paid only lip service rather than doing something needy to their families. An old woman hajira, who sacrificed her 4 sons to the ongoing movement and whose husband died of multiple organ failure is left unattended in city hospital here. We have no mechanism here to reach to the victims and kith and kin of our martyrs, which otherwise is our moral and national duty.