Kashmir Affairs - Security & Conflict Analysis of Kashmir

What Is The Value Of The Official Kashmir Stance?
Muhammad Farooq Rehmani

27^th May 2008

The ongoing composite dialogue between India and Pakistan under different pulls and pressures not reflecting the basic urges and aspirations of Kashmiris has done more harm to the right of self determination than good and has not improved the human rights conditions in the troubled region of Kashmir. The current bus arrangement between the divided parts of J&K is no substitute to the people’s cherished political goal. The right to travel is our basic right. But, the whole procedure under which permits are being issued to the people on both sides of LOC is not without tedious strings and interferences of vested interests. Therefore, displaced Kashmiris cannot benefit from this facility which is their basic right. The majority is considered as undesirable in the eyes of India. They treat them like Australian Aborigines and have no right to get even an Indian passport.

We fear that the composite dialogue in its current fashion has a very little scope to move towards a just solution of the Kashmir dispute. India’s military approach and its support by America and Israel can one day force Pakistan to legitimize Indian occupation of Jammu and Kashmir. Therefore, Islamabad’s faith in the “moderation of its stance on Kashmir” has a pernicious influence on our society and popular cause, especially when it is only bilateral not tripartite.

India’s regional policy is based upon hegemonic designs. It invaded and grabbed Kashmir in 1947-1948 to accomplish that end. The decision to invade Kashmir was supported by a fraud document of accession. Another fake order was issued on 9 June 1949 which authorized Karan Singh on 24 June 1949 to mention appointing of four unelected persons, Sheikh Abbullah, Afzal Beig, Masoodi and Moti Ram Baigra, to the Indian Constituent Assembly. Later,it was followed by the Presidential orders of the application of Constitutional provisions (of India) upon J&K. All such orders between 1954 and 1967 were arbitrarily devoid of any legal and democratic sanction.

The Delhi agreements of 1952 and 1974 also could not satisfy the people of Kashmir. In continuation of its policy of repression, India enacted Disturbed Areas Act and Armed Forces Special Powers Act to crush the freedom movement with its massive military power. Therefore, it is wrong to believe that the current Kashmir stance by Pakistan will in any way satisfy Kashmiris or be helpful to Pakistan.

Indeed Kashmiris have been offering great sacrifices for the last sixty years to achieve their national objectives. But today they rightly think that if Pakistan wants to please India and ignore Kashmiris then Kashmiris wish to be left free to fight for freedom according to the charter of the United Nations. If political freedom is good for India, Pakistan and other nation states, why not for Kashmiris? Rock and Junoon band of Pakistan on the waters of Dal Lake is not the answer to the state terrorism in Kashmir. Who will be enthralled by it, not depressed and tortured Kashmiris! People of Kashmir know and understand well than others the message of saints. But, the killers of humanity laugh at their scared lore by killing and looting more and more human beings in the name of curbing Kashmiri voice of freedom.

Supporters of freedom movement should not become a party to international games and concerts as long as Kashmir is in the hands of devils and people are in the state of mourning and shock. One, who sings, dances, plays and performs in any killing field, must be without a human heart. Iqbal must have warned them and is warning them right now through this verse:

Mykhanayeh Afrang Kay Dustoor Niraley Hein,
Latey Hein Suroor Awal Deytey Hein Sharab Akhir

The writer is convener APHC and Chairman J&K People’s Freedom League. He can be contacted at: mfarooq939@gmail.com