JKUF supports the proposed alliance

JKUF supports the proposed alliance 

London               27 February 2014    

A Jammu and Kashmir based group which consist of political activists from various social, political and religious backgrounds belonging to Jammu Kashmir Unity Foundation has expressed their desire to be part of the proposed alliance to promote cause of people of Jammu and Kashmir.

In a letter to me, Dr Shabir Choudhry, Ajaat Jamwal, Convenor of Jammu Kashmir Unity Foundation wrote: ‘I fully appreciate your stand for preserving the Unity of Jammu and Kashmir which is the prime objective of Jammu and Kashmir Unity Foundation. I also appreciate that you denounce all forms of extremism, violence and hatred for Jammu Kashmir to remain united; it is critical that the people should shun all communal and exclusivist politics and espouse the cause of equality of all of its citizens’.

While explaining objectives of the JKUF, Ajaat Jamwal further wrote: ‘We believe in an inclusive secular and United Jammu and Kashmir, which will support democratic process in the State; and promote a culture of social harmony. We want to educate people about the dangers of terrorism, fundamentalism and communalism; and counter the distortions about the historical facts regarding Jammu and Kashmir State’.

The JKUF leader further wrote: ‘I agree with many of the professed objectives of your organization except a few. And this creates a space for us to be in touch with each other regularly and also having a process of regular exchange so that we can contribute to the betterment of the people living in all parts of Jammu and Kashmir’.

In reply to Ajaat Jamwal, Dr Shabir Choudhry said, ‘we strongly believe that the State of Jammu and Kashmir is one political entity and all citizens have equal rights; and that the State must not be divided at any cost. Furthermore, we believe that only people of Jammu and Kashmir can decide what should be the future of the State. I agree we have many common points around which we can work to advance the cause of people of Jammu and Kashmir; and fight against those who promote extremism, violence and hatred’.

Dr Shabir Choudhry said, ‘it is encouraging to note that our message is reaching out to our non Muslim brothers who also share same values and wish to have a democratic and secular society’. He further said, ‘soon after the announcement of the proposed alliance some elements got alarmed and started opposing unity among the Kashmir groups and parties; and sad thing is they are doing this in the name of Kashmiri nationalism’.

Issued by Dr Shabir Choudhry

Email: drshabirchoudhry@gmail.com

Cell no: 0044 (0)7790 942471