Some
questions on Jammu and Kashmir struggle.
Dr Shabir Choudhry London, 29 October 2018
1.
According to one post on Facebook, a
demonstration held by JKNAP headed by Professor Sajjad Raja, held a
demonstration outside Pakistani High Commission in London on 22 October.
2.
In this demonstration, it is
alleged, there were some people from Indian Gujrat, who were also shouting
slogans to highlight Pakistani oppression and injustice on the Pakistani side
of the divide.
3.
It is also alleged that these people
were sent by Indian secret agency, known as RAW.
4.
I have no way of confirming that in
the demonstration there were some people from Indian Gujrat. Also, I can’t
confirm that RAW sent them there. Writer of this post may have some information
on it. However, some people have taken a serious notice of this.
5.
This demonstration was held to
observe Black Day, as it was on this day Pakistan violated the Standstill
Agreement and attacked Jammu and Kashmir. This attack resulted in death of tens
of thousands of people, rapes of women and loot and plunder. Also, it resulted
in forced division of Jammu and Kashmir, hence our suffering to date.
6.
Maybe it will be appropriate, if
someone can tell us who send scores of so called Azad Kashmiri and some
Pakistani leaders to England, and various other cities of Europe to hold
demonstrations against India on 26 January and on 27 October; and on some other
special dates? Perhaps, we can be enlightened, who pays for their air tickets,
accommodation, money for entertainment and shopping?
Let us examine this
7.
Pakistan claims that Jammu and
Kashmir should be part of Pakistan. Some Pakistanis say it is already part of
Pakistan. Some others say, Pakistan supports people of Jammu and Kashmir’s
right to self-determination, which in practise means, an accession to Pakistan,
as Pakistan rejects option of independent Jammu and Kashmir; and those who
support an accession to India, or even have a soft corner for India are depicted
as ‘traitors’.
8.
Legally, India has a strong case on
Jammu and Kashmir dispute. Because of the Pakistani attack on Jammu and
Kashmir, the Ruler of Jammu and Kashmir had no option but to seek help from
India, which was made available after the accession, which we regard as a
provisional.
9.
Also, the UN Security Council
Resolution of 13 August 1948, demanded that Pakistan should withdraw all
troops, Tribesmen and Pakistanis who went to Jammu and Kashmir State for the purpose
of fighting. India was only asked to withdraw ‘bulk’ of troops. This in
practise means, that the world community regarded Pakistan as an ‘aggressor’.
10.
It is no secret that since October
1947, Pakistan has continually interfered in Jammu and Kashmir; and continue to
send armed militants across the LOC for the purpose of fighting India and
commit acts of violence.
11.
Pakistani government, their secret
agencies, their media, militant groups they established and alliances of
militant groups, dozens of proxy groups and political alliances are programmed
to distort history and defame true citizens of Jammu and Kashmir.
12.
Pakistani supported parties, political
groups and human rights groups inside Pakistan, in Gilgit Baltistan and in Pakistani
Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, and abroad are funded, guided, facilitated and are
provided with manpower to advance anti people, anti-democratic and anti-genuine
Jammu and Kashmir struggle.
13.
Despite what Pakistan has done to
Jammu and Kashmir, and Pakistan’s legal standing on the issue of Jammu and
Kashmir, many citizens of Jammu and Kashmir take pride in taking part in
functions funded and organised by Pakistani parties and groups. Some who don’t
take part in these functions, somehow justify their activities. Some indirectly
provide support to pro Pakistan policy and ideology.
14.
If Pakistanis can speak in support
of people of Jammu and Kashmir occupied by India; and many of us justify it
too. So, is it wrong for citizens of India to speak for rights of people of
Gilgit Baltistan and Pakistani occupied Jammu and Kashmir?
15.
If it is wrong, as many will claim,
and will attack me for asking these critical questions, what is the rationale
of this?
16.
Is our justification for this based
on our religious beliefs? If a Muslim occupier commits an act of aggression,
and infringes our rights, and deprives us of our fundamental rights, we tend to
remain quiet because culprit in this case has a same religion as the victims?
17.
Are we only to protest and speak out
against human rights abuses, when the culprit is a non-Muslim; or a culprit is
not a friend of Pakistan?
18.
I don’t know religion of those
Indians, who allegedly took part in the demonstration. If these people were
Muslims of India, would you still oppose their participation? Will you reject their
support for rights of people living on the Pakistani side of the divide?
19.
What if Burma decides to speak
against oppression and injustice going on in Gilgit Baltistan and in Pakistani
Administered Jammu and Kashmir? Are we going to reject it because Burma is a non-Muslim
country, and they have killed tens of thousands of Muslims?
20.
If that is the criteria, then why we
jump up and down when China supports human rights abuses going on in IOK? China
is also a non-Muslim country; and they also have ‘generously’ killed tens of
thousands of Muslims, and have strictly prohibited practise of Islam?
21.
If we are not to accept any support
from a country that has killed Muslims, then what about Pakistan? According to
one estimate, they killed nearly 3 million people in East Pakistan in 1971. Additionally,
they have killed tens of thousands of Pakistanis in Balochistan, FATA, Swat, Malakand
etc.
22.
Also, they killed tens of thousands
of Palestinians in 1970. Furthermore, what about their role in getting Muslims
of Afghanistan killed since 1979? What about their role in selling Pakistanis
to America?
23.
If Russia supports struggle of
people of Valley of Kashmir against India, or they going to reject it, because
the support is coming from a non-Muslim country?
24.
If they accept this support with
open arms, then should people of so called Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan
reject a similar kind of support from Moscow, just because the support is
against Pakistani policies in the above regions?
25.
We need to be logical and practical
in our struggle. Militarily we cannot defeat India or Pakistan. Our struggle
MUST be peaceful. For that we must approach liberal and democratic forces in
India and Pakistan; and try to win their support.
26.
For united and independent Jammu and
Kashmir with a secular and tolerant society, we desperately need support of
civil society of India and Pakistan. Sooner, we comprehend this, the better it
is for us. The religious card can only lead to more divisions, more bloodshed,
and possible division of Jammu and Kashmir.
Writer is a renowned writer and author of many
books. He is also a senior leader of UKPNP and Chairman South Asia Watch,
London.
