Kashmiris-led, Kashmiris-owned solution urged to resolve crisis, avoid imminent war
The abrogation of the so-called autonomous status of Indian occupied Kashmir has exposed the true nature of false Indian democracy and brought the subcontinent to the brink of a nuclear war. The conflict, if not resolved peacefully and timely, not only can jeopardize the stability of the region but will also have implications far beyond the continent. The crisis has remained unresolved for decades for want of more efforts that are led and owned by Kashmiris.
This was heard repeatedly at the international seminar titled “The Crisis in Kashmir amidst Regional and Global Dynamics” which was organized by Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Islamabad in collaboration with Policy Research Forum AJK (PRFAJK) and Maritime Studies Forum (MSF) in Muzaffarabad, AJ&K on November 28, 2019 to dig deep into the Kashmir crisis and come up with policy imperatives.
The seminar was attended by a variety of international and national leaders, experts and scholars including Prime Minister of AJ&K Raja Farooq Haider, Khalid Rahman, Executive President IPS, Dr Syed Anwar, law expert, Mansoor Qadir Dar, Acting Chairman PRFAJK, Dr Roger van Zwanenbarg, British historian and political economy scholar, Dr Yashpal Amarchand Tandon, author and political activist from the UK, Dr Akis Kalaitzidis, American scholar and author, Dr Halil Toker, Turkish scholar, Syed Iftikhar Gilani, senior journalist from IoK, Dr Fazl ul Hadi Wazeen, academic and politician from Kabul, Farzana Yaqoob, political activist, and many others.
The speakers were of the opinion that a multidimensional approach – including diplomatic, legal, social, etc – is needed to resolve the long drawn out issue. They exposed the vulnerability of the UN in coming up to expectations of millions of Kashmiris and stressed self-reliance in dealing with the aggression of the fascist Modi regime. They said the revocation of Articles 370 and 35-A are an act of stripping Kashmiris of their religious and cultural identity and is tantamount to razing the Babri mosque.
The conflict of Kashmir needs sustainable efforts from the Kashmiri diaspora living across the globe. The way Kashmiris have fought their case globally and sensitized international media is commendable but more consistent endeavors are required. Speakers coming from Indian occupied Kashmir expressed concern over the lack of concrete measures on the part of the government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. They also revealed the scale of torture unleashed upon Kashmiris trapped in the occupied valley. They termed modern India a racist country where rights of minorities let alone Muslims are being snatched. It was also highlighted that the textbooks in India contain venomous content aimed at spreading religious hatred to pave the way for establishment of Akhand Bharat.
The speakers said that pessimism and dejection will not help the Kashmir cause and rather prove counter-productive. It is true that Muslim countries, especially the Arab world, were not quite vocal in condemning the unilateral scrapping of the especial status of Kashmir. Yet, it would be unwise to fall prey to the Indian propaganda that other Muslim countries have abandoned Kashmiris.
It was also mentioned that a government in exile representing the people of Indian occupied Kashmir needs to be set up in Muzaffarabad as this would strengthen the freedom struggle. In addition, IoK must be added to the list of Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization, and Non-Self-Governing Territories in the UN.
