JKNIA Seminar - Jammu Kashmir, the
way forward, presentation by Dr Shabir Choudhry
Luton,
England 23 December 2018
Mr
Chairman, friends and colleagues Aslamo al Alaykam.
I was asked to come with some suggestions.
I want to submit the following suggestions for your consideration.
1.
First we must acknowledge that the
entire former Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir is occupied; and no region
could be called independent or a base camp.
2.
We should also accept that, apart
from India, China and Pakistan are also occupying countries; therefore, our
struggle must be against all countries and not against only one country.
3.
Without starting a blame game, we
need to admit that the strategy of assuming so called Azad Kashmir as a ‘Base
Camp’ to liberate the other Jammu and Kashmir was flawed; and was promoted and
advanced by the ruling elite of Pakistan.
4.
Therefore, we need to adopt a practical
strategy that people of Pakistani occupied Jammu and Kashmir cannot ‘liberate’ the
people of Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir, especially when we are in chains
on this side of the divide.
5.
Those who promoted this strategy,
and continue to do so, in essence, are promoting the agenda of the Pakistani
elite, as they want to divert attention from the problems we face in Gilgit
Baltistan and in Pakistani Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
6.
In view of this, the people of Jammu
and Kashmir should struggle against the country that occupies them; and must
not become proxies of any country.
7.
We should also accept that our
struggle must be peaceful. Remember, whether the gun is borrowed, gifted or
purchased, we cannot win unification and independence with the gun, as we are
occupied by 3 nuclear states with large armies, and live in a very volatile
region.
8.
Hitherto, the use of gun has only
brought disaster to the people of Jammu and Kashmir; and distorted our struggle
as a proxy war, in which one country is training militants, providing weapons
and funds to be used against the other country.
9.
Furthermore, we must not communalise
our polity and struggle. Jammu and Kashmir is a multi-religious and multi
ethnic State; and does not belong to Muslims only. It is home for all of us.
Therefore, our struggle must be for a democratic and progressive society and
must not be tarnished with religious colour.
10.
Every citizen has a right to life,
and enjoy all other fundamental rights. Sponsored militancy and so called jihad
against India has resulted in oppression, killings, imprisonment, torture,
rapes, intimidation and harassment. That must stop.
11.
However, in my opinion, the
sponsored militancy and jihad must stop first, that the authorities don’t have
this excuse that human rights abuses take place and people die of ‘collateral
damage’, because they are fighting militants.
12.
Once normalcy returns, and gun
culture is eradicated, then there should be a process of intra – Kashmir
dialogue among all the ethnic, political and religious groups of Jammu and
Kashmir State.
13.
We should emphasise on governments
of Pakistan and India that Jammu and Kashmir dispute is not a bilateral
dispute. We people of Jammu and Kashmir are the principal party to the dispute;
and we must have the final say on the future status of our motherland.
14.
In view of the above, we people of
Jammu and Kashmir must be made a part of dialogue process. History of India and
Pakistan relations proves our contention that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute
cannot be resolved by force, or by bilateral agreements.
15.
We must urge both governments to
reconsider their current approaches on Jammu and Kashmir dispute; and open all
traditional routes that people of Jammu and Kashmir can interact with their
fellow citizens.
16.
In addition to the above, I suggest
there should be a no man’s land created along the current Line Of Control.
Armies of both countries should voluntarily withdraw about two miles, which
will give about four miles no man’s land. Citizens of Jammu and Kashmir, after
security check up, should enter this no man’s land. This could be a meeting
place where people can meet, eat, debate, socialise, trade and build bridges of
confidence.
17.
I suggest that JKNIA should contact
Diplomatic missions of India, Pakistan and China, and in line with the above
strategy hold a process of dialogue with these countries.
18.
Furthermore, JKNIA should take a
lead in establishing contacts with fellow citizens belonging to other
religions.
19.
Additionally, JKNIA should make
sincere efforts to establish contacts with democratic and progressive people of
India and Pakistan, and seek their help because resolution of Jammu and Kashmir
is essential for peace and stability of South Asia.
20.
We must promote pro people and pro
peace policies; and should not hesitate to challenge those who promote
extremism, terrorism, intolerance and religious hatred.
Writer is a renowned writer and author of many
books. He is also President Foreign Affairs Committee of UKPNP; and Chairman
South Asia Watch, London.
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