09-25-2008, 09:01 AM
<b>Kashmir: Now or never</b>
Sajjad Shaukat
The solution of the Indian Held Kashmir (IHK) has entered the stage of âNow or neverâ due to Indian state terrorism such as curfew, killing of innocent people and large-scale arrests which could not reduce the strong determination of the Kashmiris, calling for freedom of their land.
The present phase of the Kashmir struggle began on August 12, 2008, when Indian forces killed All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz along with five other persons, who were protesting against the government decision to give land to the trust that runs Amarnath, a shrine of Hindus. On the same day, more than 0.2 million Kashmiris marched towards the Martyrs Graveyard to participate in the funeral of Abdul Aziz. The police killed 18 innocent Kashmiris. On the other hand, extremist Hindus, who favoured the government decision to allot land to the shrine, started violent protests and economic blockade of the Muslims of Srinagar and other Muslim areas, emulating the Israeli siege of Gaza which resulted in starvation of thousands of innocent Palestinians.
It is notable that according to the Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, âany Indian citizen cannot purchase land in Kashmirâ, but in the name of Amarnath shrine, with the support of the authorities, Indians have tried to repeat the example of Israel which constructed a religious headquarter at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, giving a dominating position to the Jews over Muslims.
Nevertheless, more than 70 innocent people have so far been massacred by the Indian security forces in the controlled territories of Kashmir in the last few weeks. Now the issue has moved beyond the land allocation to the Kashmiri Muslims, sparking a massive movement of Kashmiris, calling for their genuine right of self-determination.
Unlike the past, this time IHK has become a special focus of worldâs attention, including India itself. In this regard, The Washington Post wrote on August 28, 2008, âDespite the governmentâs use of force, many Muslims in the Indian Held Kashmir (IHK) seem determined to find peaceful ways to voice their aspirations as the non-violent movement by the unarmed protesters flourishes, especially among the youngâ.
New critical situation has also affected other parts of India and its gravity could be judged from the fact that even Indian intellectuals have favoured the independence of the Occupied Kashmir.
In its editorial, the editor of The Times of India wrote on August 17, âOn August 15, India celebrated independence from the British raj. A day symbolising the end of colonialism in India became a day symbolising Indian colonialism in the Valleyâ.
The editor further elaborated, âWe promised Kashmiris a plebiscite six decades ago. Let us hold one now, and let Kashmiris decide the outcome, not the politicians and armies of Indiaâ. It was also admitted that subsequent state elections were also rigged in support of leaders nominated by New Delhi. But this time, taking cognizance of the intermittent strikes by Kashmiri freedom-seekers to denounce the engineered elections, affecting businesses across the occupied territories, India has now postponed the forthcoming elections in Kashmir.
On August 16, The Hindustan Times pointed out, âNothing has really changed since 1990s. A single spark such as the dispute over Amarnath land can set the whole valley on fire â Indian forces are treated as an army of occupation. New Delhi is seen as the oppressorâ. The paper further indicated, âThe current crisis in Kashmir is a consequence of Indian establishment, raising the confrontation to a new levelâ. It realised that during the present demonstrations, âthere is active hatred towards India, threatening to further internationalise the present crisis. The world looks at us with dismayâ.
This Indian newspaper clearly suggested a referendum in the Valley, writing, âLet the Kashmiris determine their own destiny â whatever happens, how can India lose? If you believe in democracy, then giving Kashmiris the right of self-determination is the correct thing to doâ.
It is of particular attention that demanding immediate withdrawal of Indian Army from the IHK, a renowned Indian author and book prize winner, Arundhati Roy, while criticising the Indian media had already pointed out in 2005 that it failed to highlight the plight of ordinary Kashmiris, exposed to brutalities perpetrated by the Indian security forces.
As regards Indian delaying tactics regarding the solution of Kashmir dispute, it has become fashion to blame Pakistan and ISI for infiltration, using it as a pretext to crush the Kashmirisâ war of liberation which is indigenous as now recognised even by Indian media.
Under the cover of ISI, India also wants to distract the attention of the West from its atrocities, being perpetrated on the Kashmiris. Recently, hundreds of unidentified graves with at least 940 bodies were discovered in the Indian Held Kashmir. Sources have accused Indian RAW of the custodial killings of Kashmiris through brutal methods. In the recent past, even the European Parliament passed a resolution, condemning India for human rights violations in this regard.
Since 1989, India has deployed more than 0.5 million troops to quell the freedom movement of Kashmiris, but it cannot eliminate it at present as it could not do so through many years of oppression. Instead, a study report, prepared by Indian government revealed that the Kashmir violence has been affecting Indian forcesâ psyche. In this connection, the report has disclosed that disturbances in Jammu and Kashmir have had adverse psychological problems found especially among the officers and jawans such as an increase in short tempers, quarrelsome attitude, mental disorders and abnormal behaviour. Sometimes, the situation leads to suicide attempts or attacks on their seniors and colleagues.
Now, it is a turning point for the liberation of Kashmir as the Valley is burning and bleeding. It is ample clear that India still wants to equate the innocent Kashmiris with terrorism and is keen to continue its state terrorism in Kashmir. It does not show any serious willingness to settle this issue in accordance with the wishes of Kashmiris.
At this crucial juncture, President Asif Ali Zardari also promised good news about Kashmir during his first day in office. He pointed out that besides composite dialogue process with India, back channel activities are going on to resolve the issue. No body knows about this good news. But every body will agree that it is the right time to resolve this old dispute on which Pakistan and India fought three wars.
However, the magnitude of the present movement is unprecedented in the history since 1989. The slogans for liberation in every nook and corner of India have strained New Delhi since independence. No doubt Kashmir has reached the phase of âNow and neverâ. Taking cognizance of the new developments seriously at this sensitive juncture, Pakistani and Kashmiri leaders must take steps, making combined efforts to resolve this thorny issue. In this context, Pakistani government, Kashmir leadership, other Kashmiris, living in the Subcontinent and abroad must keep the teapot boiling by highlighting the dispute, voicing the aspirations of the people for freedom. It is hoped that the day is not far off when the Kashmiris will be blessed with the fruits of independence.
The writer is author of the book: US vs Islamic militants, invisible balance of power
Sajjad Shaukat
The solution of the Indian Held Kashmir (IHK) has entered the stage of âNow or neverâ due to Indian state terrorism such as curfew, killing of innocent people and large-scale arrests which could not reduce the strong determination of the Kashmiris, calling for freedom of their land.
The present phase of the Kashmir struggle began on August 12, 2008, when Indian forces killed All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz along with five other persons, who were protesting against the government decision to give land to the trust that runs Amarnath, a shrine of Hindus. On the same day, more than 0.2 million Kashmiris marched towards the Martyrs Graveyard to participate in the funeral of Abdul Aziz. The police killed 18 innocent Kashmiris. On the other hand, extremist Hindus, who favoured the government decision to allot land to the shrine, started violent protests and economic blockade of the Muslims of Srinagar and other Muslim areas, emulating the Israeli siege of Gaza which resulted in starvation of thousands of innocent Palestinians.
It is notable that according to the Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, âany Indian citizen cannot purchase land in Kashmirâ, but in the name of Amarnath shrine, with the support of the authorities, Indians have tried to repeat the example of Israel which constructed a religious headquarter at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, giving a dominating position to the Jews over Muslims.
Nevertheless, more than 70 innocent people have so far been massacred by the Indian security forces in the controlled territories of Kashmir in the last few weeks. Now the issue has moved beyond the land allocation to the Kashmiri Muslims, sparking a massive movement of Kashmiris, calling for their genuine right of self-determination.
Unlike the past, this time IHK has become a special focus of worldâs attention, including India itself. In this regard, The Washington Post wrote on August 28, 2008, âDespite the governmentâs use of force, many Muslims in the Indian Held Kashmir (IHK) seem determined to find peaceful ways to voice their aspirations as the non-violent movement by the unarmed protesters flourishes, especially among the youngâ.
New critical situation has also affected other parts of India and its gravity could be judged from the fact that even Indian intellectuals have favoured the independence of the Occupied Kashmir.
In its editorial, the editor of The Times of India wrote on August 17, âOn August 15, India celebrated independence from the British raj. A day symbolising the end of colonialism in India became a day symbolising Indian colonialism in the Valleyâ.
The editor further elaborated, âWe promised Kashmiris a plebiscite six decades ago. Let us hold one now, and let Kashmiris decide the outcome, not the politicians and armies of Indiaâ. It was also admitted that subsequent state elections were also rigged in support of leaders nominated by New Delhi. But this time, taking cognizance of the intermittent strikes by Kashmiri freedom-seekers to denounce the engineered elections, affecting businesses across the occupied territories, India has now postponed the forthcoming elections in Kashmir.
On August 16, The Hindustan Times pointed out, âNothing has really changed since 1990s. A single spark such as the dispute over Amarnath land can set the whole valley on fire â Indian forces are treated as an army of occupation. New Delhi is seen as the oppressorâ. The paper further indicated, âThe current crisis in Kashmir is a consequence of Indian establishment, raising the confrontation to a new levelâ. It realised that during the present demonstrations, âthere is active hatred towards India, threatening to further internationalise the present crisis. The world looks at us with dismayâ.
This Indian newspaper clearly suggested a referendum in the Valley, writing, âLet the Kashmiris determine their own destiny â whatever happens, how can India lose? If you believe in democracy, then giving Kashmiris the right of self-determination is the correct thing to doâ.
It is of particular attention that demanding immediate withdrawal of Indian Army from the IHK, a renowned Indian author and book prize winner, Arundhati Roy, while criticising the Indian media had already pointed out in 2005 that it failed to highlight the plight of ordinary Kashmiris, exposed to brutalities perpetrated by the Indian security forces.
As regards Indian delaying tactics regarding the solution of Kashmir dispute, it has become fashion to blame Pakistan and ISI for infiltration, using it as a pretext to crush the Kashmirisâ war of liberation which is indigenous as now recognised even by Indian media.
Under the cover of ISI, India also wants to distract the attention of the West from its atrocities, being perpetrated on the Kashmiris. Recently, hundreds of unidentified graves with at least 940 bodies were discovered in the Indian Held Kashmir. Sources have accused Indian RAW of the custodial killings of Kashmiris through brutal methods. In the recent past, even the European Parliament passed a resolution, condemning India for human rights violations in this regard.
Since 1989, India has deployed more than 0.5 million troops to quell the freedom movement of Kashmiris, but it cannot eliminate it at present as it could not do so through many years of oppression. Instead, a study report, prepared by Indian government revealed that the Kashmir violence has been affecting Indian forcesâ psyche. In this connection, the report has disclosed that disturbances in Jammu and Kashmir have had adverse psychological problems found especially among the officers and jawans such as an increase in short tempers, quarrelsome attitude, mental disorders and abnormal behaviour. Sometimes, the situation leads to suicide attempts or attacks on their seniors and colleagues.
Now, it is a turning point for the liberation of Kashmir as the Valley is burning and bleeding. It is ample clear that India still wants to equate the innocent Kashmiris with terrorism and is keen to continue its state terrorism in Kashmir. It does not show any serious willingness to settle this issue in accordance with the wishes of Kashmiris.
At this crucial juncture, President Asif Ali Zardari also promised good news about Kashmir during his first day in office. He pointed out that besides composite dialogue process with India, back channel activities are going on to resolve the issue. No body knows about this good news. But every body will agree that it is the right time to resolve this old dispute on which Pakistan and India fought three wars.
However, the magnitude of the present movement is unprecedented in the history since 1989. The slogans for liberation in every nook and corner of India have strained New Delhi since independence. No doubt Kashmir has reached the phase of âNow and neverâ. Taking cognizance of the new developments seriously at this sensitive juncture, Pakistani and Kashmiri leaders must take steps, making combined efforts to resolve this thorny issue. In this context, Pakistani government, Kashmir leadership, other Kashmiris, living in the Subcontinent and abroad must keep the teapot boiling by highlighting the dispute, voicing the aspirations of the people for freedom. It is hoped that the day is not far off when the Kashmiris will be blessed with the fruits of independence.
The writer is author of the book: US vs Islamic militants, invisible balance of power