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.

Right to life should be allowed to be derationed.

This is reference to the letter written by Azam Inqilabi Sahib to U.S President George.W.bush. After the disintegration of erstwhile Soviet Union world became unipolar from bipolar with balance of power shifting towards America and its allies. It is now capitalists led bureaucrats of America and its allies who are hell bent upon imposing their New World Order (might is right), thus disturbing the peace and tranquility of the entire globe.
The double standards adopted by America and its expansionist policy are pushing Muslim nations in particular and entire Asian region in general to wall. Fuelling Iran-Iraq war to the benefit of their own, invasion of Afghanistan to eradicate the “terrorists who are threat to global peace”, which were accorded red carpet reception by her and aided to fight against Russian occupation (actually to safeguard their own interests) and later discarded and disowned, attacking Iraq in the name of democracy, human rights and weapons of mass destruction. If that was the real purpose of invasion what about installing puppets there? Whole world is witness to the carpet bombing of US in Iraq and the dreaded and obscene events of Abu-ghariab jail. What about Israel? Who possess the lethal weapons and has violated U.N resolutions more than 2000 times. You spare no time in defending Israel from the censure in United Nations.

It is the Muslim nations around which they have tightened the noose and have formed formal or informal alliance to subjugate them for e.g. American in Afghanistan and Iraq, Israel in Palestine, Russians in Chechnya and India in Kashmir. The discriminatory attitude towards Muslim nations is bound to boomerang with more power and opposite reaction. More the unjust policies of America will increase more will increase the constituencies of hawks and the man-made barriers will have then no relevance for them. America who has its military bases in many countries and their installations can be vulnerable to the attacks of ultras brewing with anger to bleed its interests through any out-let. By using force and suppression US is spreading hatred in Muslims for her and thus preparing future Bin Ladens and Mullah Omars.
It is the opportune time for US to shun its hypocrisy so as to command respect as real global leader and use its influence to diffuse the conflicts around the world in an amicable way to root out hatred, violence, mayhem and destruction so that peace prevails every where and right to life is de-rationed.
According to a US report Indian intelligence wing RAW is creating trouble for NATO troops by covertly supporting and aiding terrorists in Afghanistan. India wants that the uncertainty in Afghanistan should continue as it serves its interests because it has made this region a launching pad to fuel unrest in Pakistan so as to destabilize it. But India should remember that Afghans have history of never succumbing before any foreign occupation and they will never forgive India for its role in making matters worse for them. Sometimes smaller nations taught bitter lessons to the power toxicated and hegemonic forces as was in the case of Vietnam.
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.
Very recently when Tibetans were protesting US offered their sympathies with them but when Kashmiris were and are protesting the silence of US is hypocritical. Up to mid 60’s and in early 90’s U.S was very much supportive of Kashmiris movement (as it suited their national interest then) with many of it’s senior officials like John Mallot, Prof. William Wayne Baker and many others openly criticizing Indian policy over Kashmir. But as demanded by its national interests and to counter china it turned blind eye towards plight of Kashmiris and mostly so after 9/11. The Indo-US nuclear agreement, 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, All these offers 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.

Double Standards of Indian press.

Indian leading newspaper Times of India which is in forefront for virtually running ‘save Sarabjit Singh’ campaign (an Indian spy), is religiously following every news regarding to him and every word of his family is given much more attention to make his release a ‘national issue’, as if whole of India is dying to see it’s ‘proud son’ setting his foot on Indian soil. Recently Home Minister Shivraj Patil while speaking to media persons in his native place Latur in Maharashtra, said “people are saying don’t hang an Indian in Pakistan, Sarbjit, and then are demanding hanging of a Pakistani, Afzal Guroo (who is a Kashmiri, may be mistakenly said as Pakistani by Patil) this is not fair. As it seems from this statement some sort of better sense has prevailed upon a section of Indian people although in minority.
As is usual with Indian press, which is totally biased and throws journalistic norms to winds in case of reporting about Kashmir this news paper mentioned above reported that “by equating the case of Guru, held guilty and sentenced to death by supreme court for the 13/12 attack in 2001, with that of Sarbjit, in whose case the Manmohan Singh government has not endorsed the conviction for terror charges, patil seems to have stepped onto a mine field. Not only does his comparison imply that Sarbjit is “guilty” of a terrorist act, it will also be read as a defence of Guru”. Afzal Guru, who is pleading to be innocent and denied fair trial, is accused to be conspirator and as such can’t be handed death sentence according to Indian constitution, still no one from Indian print or electronic media has uttered a single word in favour of him. Indian media today is in whirlpool of duplicity and double standards and if someone shows consciousness to stand by truth he is shown the exit door as was done to senior journalist M.J.Akbar, founder editor of Asian Age.
The criticism of patil’s statement by BJP and other radical extremist parties in India is understandable. By spreading hatred against Muslims and Pakistan these onetime fringe elements able to win only few seats was able to form their government at centre with overwhelming majority, that is total opposite in Pakistan where it is generally believed that people support extremist radical groups and hawks rule the roost there, no religious or ‘extremist’ party has been able to form government since it’s birth. Very recently L.K.Advani praised Ali Muhammad Jinnah in Pakistan and back home he had to face uproar and forced to eat humble pie by stepping down as BJP President. Intolerance is growing fast in India which is supposedly ‘world’s largest democracy’ one can only hope that better sense prevails upon rest of majority in India.

Positive Thinking Indeed

This refers to the statement of J.I chief that “elections have no effect on the future status of Kashmir.” This is a positive sign and good change of thinking. Elections in no way can be proved as substitute to plebiscite nor do the so called elected representatives have any legal authority to change the status of J & K. It has been laid down in 1957 UN Security Council resolution that the “Administration of Jammu and Kashmir can not take any decision which may change the status of territory of Jammu and Kashmir.” Its powers are restricted only up to developmental works and has no power more than that of Municipal Corporation.
The anti election campaign by pro-freedom leadership calling for boycotting elections as only way to remember mission and martyrs gets boomeranged effect as it is virtual approval of Indian view point that this vote is not only for choosing candidate but for her also. Despite overwhelming boycott by people India still manages to show long queues of people waiting for their turn to cast vote through its biased print and electronic media and sells this to outside world by its strong propaganda mill.
Pro-freedom leadership should evolve new methodology and strategy rather than usual calls of boycott, which people will even without their appeal as happened in October 2002 assembly elections when hurriyat was accused of running passive anti election campaign still 79% of people boycotted elections, they should make people and world aware of the fact that elections cannot be alternative to right of self determination as JK assembly can’t decide their future and even Indian parliament can’t take decisions on our behalf as stated by Pandit Nehru in Indian parliament. And even if they pass resolutions declaring J&K ‘integral part’ of India 100 times it has still garbage value and hence cannot be construed as vote for India.
Kashmiri leaders should woke up from deep slumber and give this movement new vigour and impetus and should take cue from independence of South Ossetia from Georgia last year and of Kosovo from Serbia 17th of feb this year.

Opinion Poll of CNN-IBN and Dawn.

This refers to the joint Indo-Pak poll held by CNN-IBN and Dawn in which 87% of kashmiris voiced for complete independence as ideal solution to this dispute. This should serve as an eye opener for the so called leaders who claim to lead this suppressed and oppressed nation. They claim to give voice to the aspirations of people, they claim to be the true representatives of suffering masses, they claim to espouse the cause of right of self determination. But in reality they are heading this nation towards disarray, quandary and quagmire. One faction pleads for four point formula of Pak Prez, which is nothing but an attempt to make Loc permanent and another faction looks at the dispute wearing the glasses of protecting and propagating Pakistan’s interests first and calls independence of own nation as ‘Lesser Evil’. Kashmiris don’t have confidence in mainstream parties because they have sold their consciousness before there masters in Delhi. If these leaders claiming to be heirs of martyrs continue to put dust in the eyes of people then they will be pushed to the wall and the fourth generation will take reins of movement and will take this dispute towards its logical conclusion

Let us Be Proud Kashmiris.

Entire Kashmir has been under siege and on other side not a single day passes when we don’t hear the news that Kashmiri truck drivers have been attacked by unruly mobs on highway and government is busy feeding us lies that hundreds of trucks have went and left Kashmir. The economic blockade of Kashmir by fanatic groups of Jammu, if seen in wider perspective is not result of cancellation of land transfer to SASB but this seems a well knotted conspiracy by higher ups in Delhi to spread regional hatred to pay way for separation of 2.5 districts of Jammu. The thinking behind this is to permanently settle sharnathees who came here after the partition of India from various parts of Pakistan and block the return of lakhs of muslims of Jammu region who were made to fled in 1947 and occupy their property which is declared as evacuees property. In Jammu about 5 lakh muslims were massacred and mainly on 4, 5 and 6th November 1947 and more than 5 lakh were pushed across leaving their property behind. According to Malthusian law, population gets doubled after every 25 years and according to it these muslims would be more than 20 lakh till now. There is fear among fanatic groups that if they returned tomorrow to their native land the composition of Jammu will revert to its real form and they won’t be even able to take away these 2.5 districts of Jammu region.

The call of coordination committee that people should raise slogan of “Hum kya chaetai haqe khud iradiyat” though based on facts but it seems that leadership is fallen short of ideas. ‘Hum kya chaetai Azadi’ or we want freedom naturally reverberates from the core of heart and it is this slogan which we want to make it hear loud and clear to the world. Instead of inventing new methods of protest leadership is taking away good things from movement. Still after this call protests at lal chowk by students and Para medics and at massive rally at eidgah only Azadi slogan rented the air. When the PDP launched so called peace march few years ago and appealed participants to say “Hum kya chaetai amanu aeshiti” only Azadi slogan reverberated and PDP had to eat humble pie.

At this time when international community and media is taking interest and keeping track of developments here we have to be very cautious and careful and protect and prevent this revolution from going off the track. There is no need of identifying this mass movement with Pakistan. We have seen how revolution of early 90’s got lost due to this and we got nothing in return. More ever this won’t help us at international level and by this we are making this dispute between India and Pakistan only.
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. It is deplorable that Pakistan’s current strategy is that we keep giving sacrifices and it will be our blood that will get spilled on mountains, river-lets, forests, streets and in every nook and corner and in the end it will take it as gift. On other side of our Kashmir in govt functions they display banners written “Kashmir will become Pakistan”. If they are really practical about this we will write this slogan with our blood we have no problem with this, but for that there in only one option that is all over war with India. Is Pakistan ready for that? What preparations our “base camp Azad Kashmir” has made for this? Where are their tanks and fighter planes? They were having their own army, there was no need of merging it with Pakistan army and increase burden on them. Our so called Mujahide Awal thinks it is not Jihad it is ‘fassad’ here and back home sings old song of Jugular vein. So stop blackmailing us in the name of “base camp” and don’t fool and emotionalize our youth for what is not practable and viable.
Some quarters argue that demanding Independent Kashmir amounts to Nationalism which is against Islam. Nationalism is against Islam and it means subjugating other nations, robbing its resources and blind following of ones own nation. Kashmir was Independent nation and its history is 5000 years old it lost its independence at the hands of Mughals on 1585 A.D and since then only oppressors have been changing. India and Pakistan are exploiting our natural resources (especially water resources) to the benefit of their own and raising dams on our soil using our resources for electricity and other purposes and leaving us in lurch. Aren’t they actually following nationalism? It is our right to fight against occupying forces for the independence of our motherland and that is Patriotism, a good deed in Islam. Even Shahi-Hamdan (A.R) endorsed our independence. Further more the great warriors of Chechnya; Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan are also committing “sin” of demanding independence of their motherland.
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 neighbouring 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 neighbours.
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.

Totally Fair

The government decision of allotting 800 kanals of forest land to SASB has totally backfired. There seemed a nefarious motive in allotting land to this board. As yatra was going on from more than 100 years and till it was under the control of kp’s and people of Kashmir it was running smoothly. This board, which is totally alien, it consists only two kp’s and governor who is from outside is its head and his secretary who hails from outside runs affairs of board. The local mahants were performing religious obligations from centuries during yatra, when they opposed the construction of road and extension of yatra period because the shivlingam remains not for more than one month and creating artificial shivlingam and increasing its period by refrigeration is tantamount to play with spiritual and religious sentiments of Hindus as it goes against their scriptures, they were elbowed out which smells something fishy and shows their malafide intentions. Therefore people of Kashmir were totally right in demanding revocation of this land transfer. Besides this Kashmiris want kp’s to take control of yatra. Kashmiris don’t need lessons from anyone on communal harmony as they have maintained it in most trying and tough conditions.
The Jammu agitation which is headed by saffron brigade and tacitly supported by congress, establishment and other pseudo secularists and pseudo intellectuals have exposed themselves. In this regard criticism of Balraj Puri by Firdous Syed (G.K. columnist) is totally fair and justified. When the communal bigots and chauvinists in Jammu were lynching, brutalising and battering Muslims, destroying their properties, attacking their religious places, serving them ultimatum of quitting Jammu or be ready to face dire consequences and strangling life-line of Kashmir it is strange that Mr.Puri instead of playing his role in helping to safeguard life and property of muslims and ending blockade was giving sermons to muslims of poonch and rajouri, who were facing wrath, mayhem and carnage at the hands of agitators, to help the conducting of yatra of Booda Amarnath and maintaining communal harmony. It would have been better had he served these sermons to the barbaric and ruffianistic agitating hooligans.
Mr.Puri tries to justify himself and cover the misdeeds of saffron brigade by saying that it was after his efforts that state unit of BJP condemned any attack on Muslims. But has this condemnation made any difference in their attitude? Economic blockade is still going on, as truck drivers fear for their life to ply trucks on highway as they were and are being attacked by mobs with petrol bombs. Many drivers were burned and they aren’t believing that they are alive. Astonishingly Mr.Puri behaves as spokesperson of govt and army declaring on their behalf that blockade ha failed. By snapping Kashmir’s traditional and historic links our state has been deliberately made dependent on outside. Otherwise we have tremendous economic potential. Electricity generated in our state is supplied to outside and we are left with meagre royalties. How can industries flourish here without electricity? On every front Kashmir is facing discrimination. We must appreciate Reshmi Segal when she says that if Indians want to boycott Kashmiri products they must boycott electricity generated from Kashmir as well. Mr.Puri blockade is not act of few it is well planned conspiracy hatched by higher echelons of power and different intelligence agencies and implemented by those spearheading agitation in Jammu. Sangarsh samiti had publicly declared its plan of blockade of Kashmir and is well evident from RSS mouth piece in which it is mentioned that “As Hindus refused to take it lying down, causalities are increasing even as Jammu-Pathankot highway is blocked to make the protests punitive for Srinagar fruit sellers”.
During Indian struggle of independence massacre of jallen-walla bagh took place, but here right from 1947 countless massacres have took place in which thousands of innocent people lost their life. How many Indian leaders were targetly killed by British troops? In contrast to what India is doing here British troops followed some sort of decency. Here number of eminent personalities, leaders and activists were assassinated and brutally tortured to death.
The martyrdom of Sheikh Aziz and other Kashmiris has infused new vigour and passion among people. The ruthlessness shown by forces and police on protestors in which 38 people were martyred in just 5 days has amply demonstrated on people of Kashmir that there lies no future for them with India. Regional pro-India parties who are collaborators of New Delhi in their every heinous crime have been rejected and subjected to disgrace even in Jammu. They were kept hostage at airport for hours and on sangarsh samiti protest were made to sit outside on Aug 9. They were already never accepted by people of Kashmir. Now only way for them is either to quit and kick away this election politics and join pro-freedom ranks with full sincerity which will be their salvation from the sins and crimes they committed on their own nation neither people will never forgive them. Narrow minded communal frenzy and followers of Indian Modi’ism have provided enough ammunition to our resistance movement for its survival and success.

Indian Media Biased, International Media Ignorant

This refers to the role of mainstream politicians in the recently concluded land transfer controversy. Gauging public mood and with an eye on elections, they showed resentment and even the Deputy CM said, “Now it is not the question of land transfer only, it has become fight of Kashmir vs. India.” Recently when Tibetans held demonstrations whole international media highlighted their activities and many countries sympathized with them. Kashmir witnessed massive protests with many youth fighting pitched battles with troops and police, and hundreds and thousands of people participating in rallies against land transfer. But apart from local newspapers and channels that are doing commendable job under difficult situations, no one from international media gave space to the protests carried out by the people. International news channels like BBC, CNN, Al-Jazeera etc show programmes on conflict regions from across the world. And particularly on Al-Jazeera we have programmes like Inside Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan etc but why not programmes like Inside Kashmir? We have no hope from Indian media (print or electronic) which is completely biased while reporting about Kashmir. When some elements with nefarious motives pelted stones on a yatra bus,

the national newspapers of India hogged headlines like, “yatries attacked in Kashmir”. And when people arranged food for them, there was no mention of it. There are many organisations working on diplomatic front and organising international conferences on Kashmir in various countries, and recently a faction of JKLF held demonstration at Brussels, ‘If Kosovo why not Kashmir?’ It should be appreciated but still there is lack of interest among international community and no country is coming forward and openly supporting us. Are Kashmiris children of lesser God? Don’t we deserve any attention from the international media? Perhaps this part of the world is a forgotten land. The spontaneous reaction of people on the illegal land transfer belied myths that people are tired of freedom struggle and now want ‘peace’. Out of nowhere the whole movement was revived and the spirit of people infused fresh blood in it. What is needed is to sustain this and prevent it from appearing as communal as some people with sinister designs are hell bent to project it like that. Besides revoking of land transfer, Kashmiris want KP’s to take control of this yatra. Government met protesters in Kashmir with iron hands and many people got killed and hundreds were injured. But why no action was taken against the VHP rally and protesters who defied law and were given arms training in full public view by the VHP? Besides, the protesters were also provided with sharp edged weapons by the VHP. Have Kashmiris exclusive rights on Indian bullets? Perhaps, people are not tired of the struggle, but they have got tired of India’s arrogance.