For different reasons the State of Jammu and
Kashmir is back in news again. It is unfortunate that whenever Kashmir is in
news, it only means more trouble for ordinary people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Kashmir is in news because of devastating
floods, especially in the Valley. Other parts of the State have also badly
suffered by the floods. Kashmir is also in news because of speeches made in the
UN General Assembly by Narendra Modi and Nawaz Sharif. Apart from that, Kashmir
is in news because of attempts of militants to cross over from the Pakistani
side of Kashmir to the Indian side that they can continue their jihad against
Indian rule.
Kashmir is also in news because of the
presence of the Chinese army in Gilgit Baltistan, exploitation of our
resources, and simmering revolt against the Pakistani rule in Gilgit Baltistan.
Moreover, Kashmir is in news because of armed clashes between India and
Pakistan on the Line of Control in which people of Jammu and Kashmir suffer.
These clashes have been heavier and more consistent since the ‘cease fire’ of
2003.
Now, Million March to be staged in London to
‘support’ Kashmir is also making news, especially in Britain, and in some
sections of the Pakistani media. Right to protest is a fundamental human right;
and when this right is used as a weapon to oppose subjugation, oppression,
intimidation, abuse of human rights, and to promote equality, justice and right
of self determination, to me, it becomes a jihad.
However, before we take any decision to be
part of any protest or a campaign, all thinking people should look at the
motives of those who are sponsoring the campaign or a protest. One has to look
at their past history, their past loyalties and what games they have played in
name of human rights, democracy or struggle.
Furthermore, people have to see if the
organisers are pro Pakistan- meaning those who want to join Pakistan, pro
India- meaning those who want to join India; or pro people, pro peace, pro
Jammu and Kashmir and pro independence. History of those who are at the
forefront of the Million March tells us that they are pro Pakistan; and under
different guises have always protected and promoted the Pakistani interest in
Jammu and Kashmir and abroad.
One senior organiser is a former Prime
Minister of Pakistani Administered Kashmir; and no one can hold this post
without the blessings of Islamabad, especially their secret agency Inter
Services Intelligence. The ISI and GCO Murree, together with some other organs
of the Pakistani State control what goes on in so called Azad Kashmir and in
Gilgit Baltistan. They also decide what should be done with the Kashmir
dispute; and what string should be pulled to get the desired results; and
anyone who dares to challenge their writ on Kashmir is not forgiven, even if
that person is Prime Minister of Pakistan. So this makes it crystal clear who
is behind this project; and who will reap the benefits.
In this context, date of the Million March is
very important. The date is 26th October; it was on this date in 1947, the last
Ruler of the State of Jammu and Kashmir, under pressure acceded with India
which was provisionally accepted and people had to take the final decision. In
this short article I cannot explain the reasons, but fact is to date, people of
Jammu and Kashmir have not had an opportunity to determine their future.
To Pakistan and Pro Pakistan Kashmiris 26
October and 27 October (when Indian forces landed in Kashmir) are Black Days;
and they spend huge amounts of money to observe these days. I agree that the
entire State of Jammu and Kashmir that existed on 15 August 1947 is disputed;
and that the former State must be united and become independent. And to achieve
this goal we must struggle peacefully at home and abroad.
However, as a thinking man with a long active
association with the Kashmiri struggle, it is my duty to analyse the objectives
of the protest, as we don’t want to be fooled again. We cannot understand the
real game plan by looking at Million March in isolation. You have to look at
other projects that were sponsored by Pakistan and which brought havoc to the
people of Jammu and Kashmir, be it Tribal Invasion, Operation Gibraltar or
Operation Topac – militancy that started in 1988-9.
It looks that the government of Pakistan has
worked out a new strategy to keep the Kashmir pot boiling. On one hand,
militancy is getting momentum; especially as it can enter a new phase after US
and NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan because many Jihadis will be free; on the
other hand they have activated their ‘peace warriors’ who try to provide human
face to their activities. In this context, services of Kashmiri and non
Kashmiri activists have been hired.
Debates in various Council chambers,
Universities, in the Commons and in other Parliaments indicate that a
comprehensive strategy has been worked out; and to give credence to what ‘peace
warriors’ say, the LOC is also witnessing clashes in which main sufferers are
people of Jammu and Kashmir. Ordinary people and foreign countries pay more
attention to what ‘peace warriors’ say when there is a threat of a war between
two nuclear rivals.
Over the years the Pakistani establishment
felt that they were losing support in Gilgit Baltistan and in Azad Kashmir. A
few years ago, one senior member of the establishment acknowledged that if
there was a completely impartial plebiscite in Azad Kashmir, where people know
there will be no reprisals Pakistan will lose the vote. The Million March is
designed in such a way that it will show people of Azad Kashmir are still with
Pakistan; and that they hate India. Issue of an independent Jammu and Kashmir
will be sidelined as the memorandum and slogans will be ambiguous give this
impression that people want to join Pakistan.
For example, they will demand that a right of
self determination should be given to people of Kashmir in accordance with the
UN Resolutions, but they won’t explain that the UN Resolutions only provide a
right of accession to either India or Pakistan, and block our right to become
independent.
Furthermore, they won’t tell that both India
and Pakistan signed Simla Agreement in 1972, and agreed that they will resolve
the Kashmir dispute bilaterally; hence no role for the UN or for the people of
Jammu and Kashmir. Since the Simla Agreement the Kashmir dispute has not been
referred to the UN Security Council or debated there. So in practise both
countries have made the Kashmir dispute a bilateral one, and name of the UN and
people of Jammu and Kashmir is only mentioned to hoodwink people.
I know nationalist parties are persuaded to
take part in the March in name of unity; and some parties don’t want to be seen
on the wrong side of the ISI. However, before they take any decision they must
understand that if ISI is behind any project, and pro Pakistan Kashmiris are
executing that project, then be rest assured that it is not meant to resolve
the Kashmir dispute or benefit the common people of Jammu and Kashmir.
In conclusion, supporting the Million March
is to support Pakistan’s Kashmir policy. It means supporting what they have
done since 22 October 1947. It means supporting their sponsored initiatives,
including militancy and annexation of Gilgit Baltistan and their rule in so
called Azad Kashmir. Most ISI sponsored programmes are not meant to benefit
ordinary people, or resolve anything, they are designed to create confusion,
chaos and generate hatred in which they can advance their agenda.
Writer is a political
analyst, TV anchor and author of many books and booklets. Also he is Director
Institute of Kashmir Affairs.
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