My message on Kashmir is simple

My message on Kashmir is simple Dr Shabir Choudhry 26 July 2012 My message on Kashmir dispute is simple; but despite this, many people either don’t understand it, or don’t want to understand it. My message is State of Jammu and Kashmir is not part of India or Pakistan. Our country is occupied and forcible divided; and we have to struggle against this occupation and forced division. Areas under the occupation of Pakistan were further divided by the government of Pakistan. One area of more than 4,000 square miles was called Azad Kashmir; and the other area of more than 28,000 square miles was called Northern Areas. This area was further divided and about 2200 square miles was given to China in 1963 to have friendly relations with that country. In my honest opinion, Pakistan did all that to ensure that we people of Jammu and Kashmir under their control remain divided, oppressed and enslaved. Despite this fact, some of us feel that the areas under occupation of Pakistan are free and people enjoy good quality of life; and what needs to be done is to fight for the liberation of the area occupied by India. Pakistani ruling elite has been clever that they, in name of religion and brotherhood, persuaded many people of Jammu and Kashmir that because of religious affinity they should join Pakistan, even though when East Pakistan could not remain part of Pakistan because of this religious affinity. Furthermore, despite religious affinity, the Federal Government of Pakistan did not hesitate to attack Balochistan four times and deprived people of Pakistan of their fundamental social and political rights. The ruling elite did not even care how they treated the people of Gilgit Baltistan, who were forcibly enslaved and ruled with draconian laws; and shouted about wrong doings on the Indian side of the occupation, and urged the people of Jammu and Kashmir to rise up against India. Those Kashmiris who acted as puppets of the Pakistani elite hailed Pakistan second only to Makkah; and propagated that they should become part of this land of pure where everything was rosy. Sad thing is that those Kashmiris who were using slogan of Kashmiri nationalism were also wooed to forget about what was going on in areas under Pakistan and practically became soldiers of Pakistan to wage a war against India to liberate Kashmir under India. This policy was propagated by India and the International Community as a ‘proxy war’; and the Kashmiri people suffered because of this wrong policy. I acknowledge that due to political immaturity, under influence of our leadership and widespread propaganda, I also supported this wrong policy, believing that it was the right policy. However, later on, in mid 1990s we came to know that people of Jammu and Kashmir were, once again, used to protect and promote Pakistani interest; and we clearly expressed our disagreement and opposed this policy. I and my colleagues had to pay a big price for this change of policy; and continue to do so. Just because we, at one time under influence of our leadership, supported a wrong policy on Kashmir, does it mean that under available new information we have no right to rectify our past mistakes; and tell people what is being done in name of Kashmiri nationalism and Kashmiri liberation? There are many examples in Islamic history where people followed a policy of opposing Islam or opposing an Imam; and after discovering truth they became the biggest supporters of Islam and the Imam. I am referring to Hazrat Umer Bin Khataab who fiercely opposed Islam, but after finding truth of Islam became among the biggest defenders of Islam; and Hazrat Hur who was a commander of the army of Yazeed, and after realising that policy of Yazeed was wrong and Hazrat Imam Hussain was an innocent and was on the right path, sided with the Imam, even though they were heavily outnumbered and would be martyred. A few days ago, I communicated with a Kashmiri from District Bhimber and who belongs to JKSLF. He supported the JKLF policy on Kashmir, and I opposed it. He appreciated my services for the JKLF and the struggle for an independent Kashmir; and wanted to know why I left the JKLF. I gave him documentary evidence of what happened during that time and proved what blunders the JKLF leadership committed in name of the JKLF and independence. He, like many other people of the JKLF, was not aware of the JKLF history as I know it. He supported militancy to liberate Kashmir from India. He even supported militants to be trained and sent from the Pakistani side of the Kashmir. However, he acknowledged that both India and Pakistan were occupiers. I asked him what if some people from Jammu come to Bhimber with guns and other weapons to liberate us; or train some local people to fight against the Pakistani occupation. Any armed activity would be brutally crushed by army of Pakistan stationed in Azad Kashmir; as India did on the other side. It would result in human rights abuses, arrests, torture, killings and even rapes, would you support the people of Bhimber to continue to get guns and militants from Jammu to liberate us? He immediately said he would not support this policy. I asked him why. He said because it would be disastrous for the local people. I said the policy of sending guns and militants to the other side is also disastrous for the people living there; and just because it affects people on the other side and not us, some people continue to support this policy of sending guns and militants. Luckily he understood the logic of this. I said, no one denies about the human rights abuses that have taken place on the Indian side; but the question is, did this start before we sent the guns and militants or after. Before the militants were sent in 1988, the problems of Jammu and Kashmir occupied by India were of different nature. It was the militant struggle that resulted in human rights abuses of this scale; and provided a reason to men in uniform to get in to our streets, houses and bedrooms. I discussed this conversation with my friend Abbas Butt and Chairman of KNP. He said what differences this conversation has made. The man will still be part of the party which introduced this policy and caused havoc in Kashmir. He said we people are not ready for independence yet. Some of us are unable to differentiate between independence and slavery. Still some of us don’t know who is our friend and foe. Some of us still don’t know if we want some kind of accession or independence. Some of us still don’t know if our struggle is religious or political. What Abbas Butt has said makes a lot of sense. Despite all the sacrifices we are nowhere near our goal of independence; if anything, the dispute has been made more complicated and those who occupy us are in much stronger position. On the other hand, we people of Jammu and Kashmir are more divided and have become weaker. Call me what suits you, but as a writer, thinker and one of the leader of the Kashmiri struggle for united and independent Jammu and Kashmir, my role is to say what is true and not what people want to hear. A leader leads; and is not lead by people. Even some friends have advised me that I should change my policy because many people are not understanding it or accepting it. I don’t believe in changing policy just because people do not understand it. Prophet Nooh preached for many hundred years; and he only managed to convert less than hundred people – vast majority was against him, even though his message was correct and method of dispensing that message was also correct. People criticised him, but he did not change his message. Just because he did not get many people converted to Islam, can critics say he should have changed his message or his method of conveyance to please people or be popular with them? His job was to pass on the message; and he did that honestly and efficiently. I am not even equal to dust of shoes of the Prophets, but I am trying to follow the footsteps of prophets- speaking truth and passing on the message which I sincerely believe is true. My job is to provide accurate information. I believe in the following: The entire State of Jammu and Kashmir is disputed and it is occupied; Human rights abuses take place in all parts of Jammu and Kashmir with varying degrees; and I condemn all human rights abuses; The Kashmir dispute is not a religious in nature and there is no danger to Islam in Jammu and Kashmir. It is a political struggle; and we must not bring religion in to this, as it makes it more complicated and spreads hatred and intolerance; I still believe Jammu and Kashmir must become independent, as accession to India or Pakistan is not in our national interest; However, our struggle is on the Pakistani side of the divide; in other words those who are occupied by India should struggle against India and those who are occupied by Pakistan should struggle against the Pakistani occupation. Writer is a political analyst and author of many books and booklets. Also he is Director Institute of Kashmir Affairs. Email:drshabirchoudhry@gmail.com View: www.drshabirchoudhry.blogspot.com www.k4kashmir.com

Kashmir dispute and role of neighbours

Kashmir dispute and role of neighbours Text of speech of Dr Shabir Choudhry delivered in a seminar arranged by Kashmir National Party in Watford on 29 July 2012. Mr Chairman, friends and colleagues Aslamo alaikam I congratulate the KNP leadership for arranging this seminar in holy month of Ramadan, when traditionally most Kashmiris take a break from political activities because of fasting. This shows the commitment of the KNP leaders and workers to the cause of united and independent Jammu and Kashmir. Topic of the seminar is interesting, and surely it needs more than ten minutes to properly explain roles of our neighbours. There is an old saying that one can choose friends, but cannot choose neighbours. We are lucky to have a beautiful country which is situated in strategically very important region; but we are unfortunate to have bad neighbours. Beauty of our country, its resources and its strategic location could have been our great strength if we were independent; but these three factors have proved to be our worst enemies, because our neighbours have imperial designs and they want to occupy us and exploit our resources. Jammu and Kashmir is a landlocked State. Our neighbours are India, Pakistan, China and Afghanistan. We are surrounded by three nuclear states and we live in very unstable and volatile region. The unresolved Kashmir dispute is very serious threat to peace, security and stability of the entire region. Out of these four neighbours Afghanistan government has not provided us any trouble since their rule was ended by the Sikhs in 19th century; however, some people from there joined the attack on Jammu and Kashmir arranged and supported by Pakistan in October 1947. The other giant neighbour, China has, by and large, remained neutral for many years; however, they captured Aksai Chin in a war with India in 1962. From then onwards they showed more interest in the territory of Jammu and Kashmir; and in 1963 they signed a treaty with Pakistan and in name of border adjustment managed to obtain about 2200 square miles of our territory from Gilgit Baltistan. This gift of Pakistan to China helped Pakistan to win a friendship of China; and it provided China with access to outside world and it also helped China to link this territory with Aksai Chin. On the international level China supported the Pakistani stand on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, wrong as it was; and they had little regard for the emancipation or wishes of the people who were forcibly divided by India and Pakistan. This support of China for the Pakistani stand on Kashmir had its ups and downs, but China remained a good friend of Pakistan; and helped them with various projects including construction of the Karakorum Highway which links both countries by road. However, over the past decade China has taken very profound interest in affairs of Gilgit Baltistan, and in name of development projects and exploration have their strong civilian and military presence in this important region. It appears that government of Pakistan and some Kashmiri leaders are trying to cut out some role for China in the Kashmir dispute, which is unfortunate and could prove to be disastrous for Jammu and Kashmir and the region. Mr Chairman The third neighbour of Jammu and Kashmir is Pakistan, which had a Standstill Agreement with the Ruler of Jammu and Kashmir. The government of Pakistan violated the Standstill agreement and managed a tribal invasion of the State of Jammu and Kashmir which resulted in death of thousands of innocent people; and forced the Ruler of Jammu and Kashmir to seek help from India, the fourth neighbour of Kashmir. India provided help after gaining a ‘provisional accession’ from the Ruler of Jammu and Kashmir; and the Indian forces landed in Kashmir on 27th October 1947. Both India and Pakistan wanted to make Jammu and Kashmir part of their country; and fought their first war over control of this state. No country could win the war and the war resulted in division of Jammu and Kashmir. While the war was going on, India approached the UN Security Council for help under Article 35 of the UN Charter. The Security Council passed many Resolutions on Kashmir, some were passed before the UN Commission for India and Pakistan reached the region to investigate the matter, and some were passed afterwards; however, two Resolutions known as UNCIP Resolutions are fundamental to understanding of the Kashmir dispute, as they explain which country had to do what to resolve the Kashmir dispute. The UNCIP Resolution of 13 August 1948 stated and I quote: (l) As the presence of troops of Pakistan in the territory of the State of Jammu and Kashmir constitutes a material change in the situation since it was represented by the Government of Pakistan before the Security Council, the Government of Pakistan agrees to withdraw its troops from that State. (2) The Government of Pakistan will use its best endeavour to secure the withdrawal from the State of Jammu and Kashmir of tribesmen and Pakistan nationals not normally resident therein who have entered the State for the purpose of fighting. Unquote To date Pakistan has not vacated those areas as demanded by the Security Council Resolution; and of course no progress on the proposed UN plebiscite. Later on in mid 1950s, when Pakistan joined SEATO and CENTO military alliances against the Communist bloc, unfortunately Kashmir dispute became part of the ‘Cold war’; and after obtaining the Soviet backing India declared Kashmir to be its ‘integral part’. India pursued to get Kashmir in name of democracy and on the bases of this provisional accession. Pakistan, on the other hand, tried to get Kashmir in name of religious affinity and brotherhood. India called Kashmir its ‘integral part’ and Pakistan called it ‘Sha Rag’ – meaning jugular vein. Both countries wanted more territory to advance their national and strategic interests; welfare of people of Jammu and Kashmir was not their priority. There is a long list of blunders that have been committed in name of Kashmir with disastrous results for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, but time does not allow me to give details. During the early years of the dispute India talked about rights of people, but after mid 1950s India put its cards on table and declared Kashmir its ‘integral part’. Pakistan on the other hand continued to fool people of Jammu and Kashmir and people of Pakistan in name of Islam and brotherhood; and pursued their imperial agenda on Kashmir with disastrous consequences for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and which endangered peace and stability of the region. In other words Pakistani governments disguised their agenda on Kashmir in name of Islam, and continue to do so; and it is unfortunate that many Kashmiris still do not understand their hidden agenda and imperial aims. In view of one Kashmiri nationalist, “India is our open enemy, and Pakistan is our hidden enemy. It is for people of Jammu and Kashmir to decide whether they want to use their time and resources to expose deeds of hidden enemy or the enemy that is already exposed”. Furthermore, Pakistani governments went out of their way to ensure that Kashmir dispute is seen as a territorial dispute between India and Pakistan; and not as an issue of a nation seeking independence. They curtailed people of Jammu and Kashmir’s right to independence by limiting the choice to become either part of India or Pakistan. Apart from that, Pakistan government agreed in article 6 of the Simla Agreement of 1972 that India and Pakistan will take the final decision on Kashmir dispute by bilateral talks, hence no role for the people of Jammu and Kashmir in this matter. Sad thing is that the Pakistani officials still fool us and people of Pakistan by giving this impression that the UN and its Resolutions have a role in determining the future of Jammu and Kashmir. I conclude by urging the people of Jammu and Kashmir to understand policies of all three countries that occupy our territory; and not be fooled in name of religion. Imperialists have no religion. Their policy is to occupy, exploit and make profits; and that is what they are doing. We are occupied, forcibly divided, exploited; but sad thing is that instead of understanding the real situation and formulating appropriate policies to fight this occupation we are fighting each other, hence strengthening the hold of those who occupy us. Mr Chairman thank you for your patience.

Video on Human rights abuses in Kashmir

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Uwl_2APBqs&feature=related&oref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D42enRhqLqrc&has_verified=1

Human rights abuses in Kashmir – issue of mass graves

Human rights abuses in Kashmir – issue of mass graves Dr Shabir Choudhry 11 July 2012 Documentary shown on the British TV Channel 4 at 11.10pm on Tuesday 10 July 2012 was harrowing tale of human right abuses perpetrated by para military forces in Kashmir. Although a lot of what had happened has been compiled by different human rights organisations; and highlighted in Kashmir, India and at the international level, still it was distressing to see and hear what trauma my countrymen had to endure. No one can deny that human rights have taken place in Kashmir. But reading about these tragic events is one thing, and going through them or witnessing them is totally another. I am sure the documentary made by a Kashmiri human rights activist Parvaiz Imroz has done a great service to promote and protect human rights in the Valley of Kashmir; and the British TV Channel has also obliged us by showing tragic stories of human rights abuses. I am sure many Kashmiri people were in tears after seeing that and listening to the horror stories, at least my wife and children were. Sad thing is that these human rights abuses were committed by para - military forces that were allowed to enter Jammu and Kashmir to protect dignity, honour and property of the people; and by a government that claims to be the biggest democracy and believes in promotion and protection of human rights. It must be recalled that when the Maharajah of Jammu and Kashmir was attacked by the tribesmen supported by Pakistan, he requested India for help; and that help was only provided after India obtained ‘provisional accession’ from the beleaguered Ruler of Jammu and Kashmir. In reply to the Maharaja’s request, India’s Governor General Lord Mountbatten wrote: ‘In consistence with their policy that in the case of any State where the issue of accession has been the subject of dispute, the question of accession should be decided in accordance with the wishes of the people of the State, it is my Government's wish that, as soon as law and order have been restored in Kashmir and its soil cleared of the invader, the question of the State's accession should be settled by a reference to the people. Meanwhile, in response to Your Highness' appeal for military aid, action has been taken today to send troops of the Indian Army to Kashmir, to help your own forces to defend your territory and to protect the lives, property, and honour of your people.’ Indian forces are not only under obligation to protect human life and dignity because of this ‘provisional accession’; but also because of the obligations ordained in the UNCIP Resolutions. In addition, India has a duty to protect and promote human rights as a signatory to the UN Charter; but what we witness is a clear violation of these obligations and disrespect for human rights regime, at least in the Valley of Kashmir. Some people point out that the army is in Kashmir because of the militants; and wherever army is sent to deal with militancy, insurgency and unrest human rights violations are bound take place. The counter argument is that the militancy and unrest started because the Indian government failed to honour its obligations; and frustrated people resorted to violence. The Indian government’s view is that they are dealing with Pakistani trained ‘terrorists’ who were trained for the purpose of disrupting peace and stability of Kashmir, and communalise Kashmiri culture of tolerance and co - existence. True, militants were trained and sent by Pakistan; but in early years of the conflict, majority of the militants were local disgruntled youths. Later on, of course, non - Kashmiris took over the militancy; and they did enormous damage not only to the cause of Kashmir; but also they shattered social fabric of the Kashmiri society. The Indian government also point out that these militants are mainly responsible for deaths because they start acts of violence in heavily populated areas; and when ‘security forces’ fight back these ‘terrorists’, innocent people get killed in cross firing. Furthermore, they claim ‘terrorists’ kill and torture those who refuse to cooperate with them. Whereas, one can find some truth in the above, but the fact remains it is the responsibility of the government to maintain peace and protect life, dignity and property of the people. Call them militants or ‘terrorists’, they are not signatory to the UN Charter to protect and promote human rights; or have any obligation under the UNCIP Resolutions. If militants or ‘terrorists’ with weapons are killed in some encounter, then one can see some justification, as both parties were armed and ready to kill each other; but what justification is there to kill non - combatant civilians and rape women? According to Parvaiz Imroz more than ‘8,000 Kashmiri non-combatants had vanished from army custody in a state the size of Ireland – four times more than disappeared under Pinochet in Chile.’ Cathy Scott – Clark in a report published in Guardian London on 9 July 2012 notes: ‘Imroz widened his search, mapping almost 1,000 locations. He was shocked by the implications. Indian law requires that the police probe every violent death and that corpses be identified. But in the village of Bimyar, white-haired Atta Muhammad Khan came forward to describe how he had been forced to inter 203 unidentified bodies under cover of the night – men whose identities and crimes were unstated. “Some corpses were disfigured. Others were burnt. We did not ask questions.” It was a similar story in Kichama village, where the lawyer mapped 235 unmarked graves and in Bijhama, where 200 more unidentified corpses had been interred. In Srinagar, Imroz’s team alerted the government’s State Human Rights Commission (SHRC). “We suspected the missing of Kashmiris were buried at these secret sites,” he said, publishing a report, Facts Under Ground.’ As a Kashmiri I feel angry and frustrated because my countrymen are victims of human rights abuses; and sad thing is that those who committed these abuses are roaming free, as they are protected by certain laws. I and my party, Kashmir National Party condemn all the human rights abuses; and demand for abrogation of those laws that culprits could be punished and human rights abuses could be stopped. Can any Indian or pro India Kashmiri justify all the above abuses? India claims Kashmir belongs to them because of that ‘provisional accession’. If one, for a moment, accepts this contention, then technically people of Jammu and Kashmir are Indians; question, however, arises, is this how civilised and democratic countries treat their own ‘citizens’ The above brutalities could not be justified under the pretext that Pakistan sent trained ‘terrorists’ to Kashmir. Both India and Pakistan have tragic history of animosity, confrontation and competition; the question is why should we people of Jammu and Kashmir become raw materials in their contest to defeat each other? I agree, the prime responsibility of every government is to protect human life, dignity, honour and property; and if some people in name of right to protest or right to self - determination endanger life, dignity and property of citizens, the authorities have to step in to protect that. However, they have no right or mandate to trample all the above ideals just because they have guns and they are immune from any prosecution because of certain laws. The authorities in Kashmir have certain obligations; and they cannot turn a blind eye to all these human rights abuses; and still claim to be champions of democracy and human rights. They have to act and act fast to stop these human rights abuses. The Pakistani establishment, in order to equal a score against India, used sentiments of disgruntled and angry Kashmiri youths and created chaos in Kashmir that resulted in death of a generation and massive human rights abuses. The question is why people of Gilgit Baltistan are victims of human rights abuses when there is no Indian backed militancy going on there. Similarly, there is no Indian backed militancy going on in Pakistani occupied Kashmir; and yet people are denied of fundamental human rights; and they also suffer human rights abuses. A friend and old colleague of JKLF from Nottingham (England) Isahaq Sahib phoned me a few days ago and complained why people of Azad Kashmir want to liberate Indian occupied Kashmir, when we are occupied by Pakistan on this side? He said, ‘Our first responsibility must be to get independence from Pakistan; and then help our brother across the LOC.’ He further said, ‘Those who gave us this policy that we should liberate the Indian occupied Kashmir were not sincere with us’. I request both India and Pakistan to respect human rights of people of Jammu and Kashmir; and acknowledge this fact that the entire State of Jammu and Kashmir is disputed, and that there could be no peace and stability in the region without resolving the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the wishes of the people. Writer is a political analyst and author of many books and booklets. Also he is Director Institute of Kashmir Affairs. Email:drshabirchoudhry@gmail.com View: www.drshabirchoudhry.blogspot.com www.k4kashmir.com

A prominent writer and TV anchor Hamid Mir writes about wrong doings of Pakistani state and Alzulfqar.

A prominent writer and TV anchor Hamid Mir writes about wrong doings of Pakistani state and Alzulfqar. http://jang.com.pk/jang/jul2012-daily/02-07-2012/col4.htm

Conspiracy against Kashmir National Party

Dr Shabir Choudhry       29 June 2012

Kashmir National Party is comparatively a new party; but it has left a lasting mark on thinking of the Kashmiri politics. It courageously articulated policies that were logical and practical and were best to promote true nationalist struggle for unification and liberation of the entire State of Jammu and Kashmir For example:

1.      The KNP said the Kashmiri struggle was not religious or jihad of Muslims against other ethnic groups of Jammu and Kashmir;

2.      There was no military solution to the Kashmir dispute and that the struggle should be peaceful, as the gun has only brought disaster to the people and the Kashmiri polity; and it would give excuse to the occupiers to crush us;

3.      The entire State of Jammu and Kashmir was disputed and enslaved; and those who are occupied by India should struggle against that occupation and those who are occupied by Pakistan should struggle against the Pakistani occupation;

4.      The KNP strongly advocated that those who advocated this policy that all of us should first liberate the Valley was a policy given by one occupier and fundamental objective of that policy was to focus attention over there and keep attention away from the areas occupied on this side of the Line of Control.

These policies were obviously disliked and strongly opposed by people and groups with vested interest; and those who made this struggle in to a business. First they started a malicious campaign against the KNP senior leaders by levelling illogical and totally baseless allegations against them. Later on they encouraged and manipulated a split in the ranks of the KNP by using tribalism as a weapon. Some people, once again, were manipulated in name of ‘unity’. The KNP leaders, and even those who subsequent left the KNP strongly believed that there could be no unity with them because they were not sincere with the cause of united and independent Jammu and Kashmir and were only advancing the interests of secret agencies.

Despite these strong views some people were wooed to leave the KNP in name of unity; and KNP Treasurer wrote the following letter to the KNP Chairman Abbas Butt and sent me a copy of that:

from:	QuicPrint quicprint@btinternet.com
reply-to:	QuicPrint
to:	DrShabirChoudhry,  AbbasButt
date:	23 February 2012 14:21
subject:	Resignation

salam

I, Muhammad Masoom Ansari, am resigning from the membership of KNP. And I have no relations to this party any more. I think this is the need of the time that we should be united for the bigger cause which is (independance) of the Kashmir and we all should forget our internal disagreements and should be united.

The aim of my life is to struggle for the (independance) for the Kashmir and i will continue in my rest of my life.

Wasalam

Muhammad Masoom Ansari

Author of this letter, as one can see from the letter, is not that educated. He is very gullible and one phone call from call can change his thinking, hence his role was confined to collection of funds in the KNP, as he is not dishonest in these matters. His other colleagues who left the KNP also had a meeting with the KNP Chairman in presence of Zubair Ansari, who is their relative. They said they wanted to leave the KNP. The KNP Chairman said if you have decided to leave I could not stop you; but let us depart like civilised people and as friends – no one will issue any statements. It was agreed that these two people will also leave the KNP; and they will go as friends and without causing any bitterness.

Perhaps, when they discussed this matter with those who were pulling the strings from behind, they were told you are fools by leaving peacefully, and without causing problems. You have to do something to damage the KNP; and credibility of its top leadership. So a conspiracy was hatched to expel me by making allegations and by saying that what Dr Shabir Choudhry was writing and promoting, was causing problems in the KNP and in the movement; and that was why some people left – reference was the above letter of resignation.

The Zonal President of KNP expelled me, and as he had no such right to do that, the Chairman challenged his statement. The Zonal President issued another statement saying that he had expelled the Chairman as well. This was like a foot constable expelling IG Police. Many people laughed at this absurd statement. The former KNP Treasurer was appointed the new ‘Chairman’ of 3 men of ‘rebel’ KNP.

If people see the letter of resignation of the KNP former Treasurer, it does not say that he left the KNP because of my policies; if anything he sent me his resignation. If a Zonal President was legally allowed to expel anyone then he would have been in a position to accept resignations as well. Both KNP Zonal President and the Treasurer lived in Birmingham and they are relatives as well, yet the Treasurer did not send his resignation to the Zonal President, because he knew he was not the person to accept or reject resignations of the Central leaders. He had no right to expel any central leaders. There is a procedure in place to expel people. First, a charge sheet is given to the person concerned. He is given a right to defend himself in the Supreme Council.

The letter of resignation also speaks volumes about thinking, personality and character of the individuals involved – they voluntarily left the KNP, and then on instructions of someone agreed to become a ‘Chairman’ of a ‘rebel’ party. Those who were pulling strings from behind wanted to create problems for the KNP. They knew the people they were using did not have what it takes to become a leader or a true political activist. In any case, they had no desire to promote them as leaders, so within few weeks they realised that three men bandwagon could not continue in the name of the KNP; and cause the real KNP anymore damage, especially when all three of them were not educated, and were not capable of speaking to media or send out statements. Hired people could only do so much. So they were told to join another party, which they did without any hesitation, and they called it a ‘merger’; and the biggest achievement of the past decades.

The fact that this 3 men ‘merger’’ was given so much publicity itself shows that there was a lobby with a vested interest to damage the KNP and its struggle. They were propagating that the KNP had merged. Even today, on 29 June 2012, someone from the Valley of Kashmir asked me if the KNP had finished and if I also had ‘merged’.

My reply is, no, we have not merged. How can we merge with those who have caused so much damage to the struggle of united and independent Jammu and Kashmir; who have communalised the nationalist struggle; and who were used as proxies by one occupier against the other occupier and called it a ‘nationalism’ to confuse people. We are here to stay and expose all those who have betrayed our Movement and those who have run it like a business and caused enormous miseries to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

After these 3 people left and ‘merged’, within a week the KNP Chairman went to Birmingham and set up very active branch. In the meeting, there were more than 80 people present. Those who left the KNP were never in a position to muster so many people in any meeting. The KNP Birmingham branch President Basharat Khan Raja is very dedicated and active man, and within days he has made his presence felt; and we hope he will help us to promote the cause of united and independent Jammu and Kashmir.

I know some people don’t like me because what I promote; and I am their main target. I know for sure, what I promote is demand of the genuine struggle for an independent Jammu and Kashmir. People who want the status quo to continue can manipulate or fool some simple people; but they cannot manipulate everyone. More and more people are appreciating our message and I am moved by the fact that none Kashmiris are also appreciating what we do. After reading my views on Jammu and Kashmir, a non- Kashmir, Gene Rossano, whom I have never met in my life, wrote on 24 June 2012:

‘Such truth is wonderful to read! All interested in the future freedom and independence of Jammu and Kashmir should read, understand and preach this same doctrine….It is refreshing to witness the truth from dedication. Your detractors never seem to be able to muster up any truth or facts so they become like barking dogs behind a strong and high fence, noisy with big teeth but no threat whatsoever. Please continue your most important work on behalf of your people in J&K….You are absolutely correct. I completely understand the concept and the meaning of a "mission". Happy to be associated with you, Shabir Choudhry!’

These words are much more to me then criticism of some hired people. Gene Rossano is not a Kashmiri, and he has no axe to grind. He has no personal agenda on situation of Jammu and Kashmir, but after reading and analysing different comments and articles on the subject he came to the conclusion that what we promoted was the correct policy and the way forward to resolve the Kashmir dispute; and counter those who promote petty interests and encourage extremism, violence and hatred. He expressed his happiness to be associated with us, my hat off to him for speaking truth and for providing us this moral support, when many were sitting on the fence watching.

Our message is loud and clear, despite all the problems and hurdles created by those who are threatened by our policies, the KNP is here to stay and fight for the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Long live struggle for democratic, liberal and an independent jammu and Kashmir and long live KNP.

Writer is a political analyst and author of many books and booklets. Also he is Director Institute of Kashmir Affairs.

Email:drshabirchoudhry@gmail.com 

View: www.drshabirchoudhry.blogspot.com           www.k4kashmir.com

Pakistani jihadi caught http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NdrgqWgSrw&feature=youtube_gdata_player