Project Reports

India’s BJP government has also ambitions to change the demography of IHK and turn Muslim majority areas into Hindu majority areas just like in Jammu, due to massacre of Muslims by Indian troops, Muslims are now in minority apart from few districts. They have also designs of settling former Indian army soldiers in Kashmir. Six months back there was a move to give right of permanent residence to so called West Pakistani migrants in Kashmir. All these moves are intended for the cultural and human demographic changes of Kashmir.

Kashmir dispute is the oldest issue on UN agenda. Initially it was India who took Kashmir issue to the UN where many resolutions were passed and according to those resolutions, Jammu & Kashmir is disputed territory to be settled by free and fair plebiscite. Kashmir issue is not a question of separatism or a bilateral problem but it is basically struggle for democracy and right of self-determination which is a basic human right recognized internationally. People are being gunned down because they are struggling for their rights particularly the ‘right to vote’. There is no justification for more than seven hundred thousand Indian military forces in IHK. It is most densely militarized zone in the world. Kashmir has not received international attention that it deserves as other issues like South Sudan and East Timor have attained. International support is necessary for its peaceful resolution which could be attained only come when individual people will pressurize their governments to provide this support. Kashmiri’s lives are as precious as that of any other human being. World powers’ policies continue to be driven by their strategic interests and they see India as potential trade partner. India has also been successful in propagating its propaganda through large number of overseas working as propaganda force for Indian government. Kashmiris’ voices should be given the heed and amplified so that they can effectively present their case to international community.

27th October will remain black day until the plebiscite is held in Jammu & Kashmir because on this day Indian forces forcefully occupied Kashmir. Kashmiris were struggling for their freedom even before 1947 when it was ruled by Hindu Maharaja. In 1947 Kashmir issue came in limelight. Maharaja Hari Singh was reluctant for merger with either India or Pakistan. At that time India’s only land route to Kashmir was through Pakistan. Maharaja came in standstill agreement with Pakistan. Following the withdrawal of British forces, fighting escalated and Indian army landed and occupied the Kashmir. At that time Lord Mountbatten and Indian PM Jawaharlal Nehru said the people wishes will address the future of accession of Kashmir.

Pakistan is presenting Kashmir issue on international level for its international recognition and has never stepped back from its legal and moral stance. Pakistan should also take the issue of demographic changes to the UNSC members and to other international forums. Due to denial of access to independent media by Indian authorities, Kashmiris’ voices are not coming to international community. Pakistani media is giving attention to the Kashmir issue which can help bringing it on international media. Indian PM Narendra Modi’s policies and Indian aggressive forces are bringing Kashmir issue to international focus. Kashmiris will not let down their freedom struggle whether article 370 is abrogated or not or whatever India does to scuffle their voices. Kashmiris are not going to give up the freedom struggle until right to self-determination is provided to them. Indian Home Minister P. Chidambaram also acknowledged in Rajya Sabha on 6th August 2010 that “Kashmir issue is a ‘Unique Problem’ which requires a ‘Unique Solution’ thus, it is important to win the hearts and minds of the people of Jammu and Kashmir”.

Interactive Session

During the interactive session speakers responded to different questions raised by the participants. Gist of the same is as under:-

Indian intentions are that special status of Jammu & Kashmir should be eliminated to make it so called integral part. The special status given to permanent residents will be gone and that is what BJP wants. High court judgement doesn’t make any difference internationally as the UNSC resolutions will not be affected. Similarly various conventions about human rights will still remain applicable as they are. The basic issue remains the right of self-determination.

Pakistani government is very active at the moment as it raised Kashmir issue in UN General Assembly and also PM raised it in visit to USA. We have to put our efforts in form of writings instead of only verbal discussions and need to do more research on different areas related to Kashmir dispute. Pakistan has to strengthen itself to promote its agenda and voice and gain international support. Pakistani and Kashmiri diaspora have to be more active for lobbying to raise awareness about Kashmiris’ right of self-determination. Young generation is becoming more and more active and raising awareness by using modern means. This is age of propaganda war and we need to deal with it upfront by engaging media.

OIC has contact group on Kashmir but we need much more efforts by Muslim community for resolution of Kashmir issue. There is no possibility of bilateral solution of Kashmir issue and therefore international fora must be used. Indian duplicity is further reinforced by conflicting stance on Junagarh and Kashmir as it occupied Junagarh forcefully despite of the fact that Nawab of Junagarh signed Instrument of Accession with Pakistan.

BJP was hoping overwhelming majority in Kashmir which remained pipedream and their ambitions have remained redundant. All Parties Hurriyat Conference is true representative of people of IHK. Azad Jammu & Kashmir government is not only representative of Azad Jammu & Kashmir but it also reflects the feelings of people of IHK.