By Dr. Abdul Ruff Colachal
—————-
When India celebrated its 70th anniversary of independence, unfortunately, it also indirectly celebrated the occupation of Jammu Kashmir and genocides of Muslims in Jammu Kashmir. One of the achievements of the recent history of India in the negative sense is the genocides of Kashmiris- India murdered over 100,000 Muslims Kashmir while using and protecting Hindus there.
Real protests
Kashmir today, even on Eid day, remains a nation in protest against Indian occupational crimes. Protests erupted on Saturday in Kupwara district of north Kashmir when a youth went missing while another was severely beaten and has been hospitalized in a critical condition with the locals alleging that were taken into custody by Indian Army. Police have registered two separate FIRs against the army, one for an attempt to murder and another for kidnapping and abducting to murder. Villagers of Kakarpati village of Devar Lolab told news agency GNS that Army picked up two local shepherds from a forest area of Trimukh upper reaches of Lolab which is connected to Bandipora district.
The Indian/JK government, controlled by New Delhi, considers their prerogative to kill and deal with Kashmiris for seeking sovereignty back from a mighty military power called India. Two ailing Kashmiri women leaders re-arrested despite release orders by Court
As Kashmiris are on the agitational mold to regain sovereignty from Indian military yoke, India feels highly embarrassed before world powers while PM Modi feels the pinch in front of world leaders.
Interestingly, one of the Indian islets in Lakshadweep on Arabia Sea disappeared owing to climatic change nearly 20 years ago, but the Indian government has not yet recognized that it lost a small islet without any population. Indian official gazettes have made any change and as India still reasserts that every islet of India is intact. That is problem of India which refuses to accept the fact it has lost a small part of its territory in the natural process as it simply cannot accept or even imagine that Kashmir that decorates India as its multi-jewel crown on its head
India worried
Presumably, Indian strategists in New Delhi and abroad are with latest India maps looking at Kashmir, and they cannot visualize India without that crown known as Kashmir on Indian head.
In fact, more than the land, India is concerned about the image of India on Indian map without Kashmir. Indian map without Kashmir looks like a wild animal – not exactly a cow – whose head has been severed. This, of course, Indian strategists and military experts cannot digest.
Indian strategy for China is one of appeasement; in that, Beijing has withdrawn its top badminton players (women) from the courts, thereby making it easier for India achieve the top titles. India may have begun a dialogue with China over parts of Kashmir it occupies. Although China has not invaded Kashmir but got a part of Kashmir as a (paid) gift from Pakistan is not helping Beijing to convince New Delhi which seeks to take back that part of Kashmir from China as well.
That Kashmiris who fight for sovereignty, do not ask both Pakistan and China also to surrender their lands makes Indian case difficult but makes India come closer to China easily. India would ask China not to worry about Kashmir as once occupied Jammu Kashmir is now lost for Kashmiris forever. However, the secret talks among India, Pakistan, and China – the joint occupiers of Jammu Kashmir- are not revealed to the public.
India continues to deal with the besieged Kashmiris the way the military feels best, or rather worst.
Brutality is the fundamental expression that could be used to describe what the Indian soldiers do in occupied Kashmir day in and day out and at night. India has provided a perpetual blanket approval of every murder and all acts of genocides through fake encounters and all atrocities of making Kashmiris disappear from Kashmir valley once for all.
Apparently, India must have learned all these murder techniques from its former masters in the UK who continue to guide New Delhi in secret state terror operations. Now Israel seems to have accepted Indian appeal to offer terror tips on payment basis to deal with Kashmiris and others who seek sovereignty.
While their occupation masters in New Delhi celebrate 70 years of independence from Great Britain, Kashmiris who lost their freedom to then freed India have no choices but to cry loud over their loss of sovereignty under joint UK-India conspiracy with blessings from super power the USA and other imperialist capitalist powers.
In fact, no power invades and occupies a weak alien nation to leave the occupation on its own. Invaders quit “subject” countries only under pressure or by force. England invaded many countries, including the USA but had to leave most of them, if not all of them. Interestingly, not only Americans got independence from the UK but also have become the closest ally of USA today.
India’s easy invasion and quick occupation of Jammu Kashmir was possible because all big powers led by USA and UK supported the illegality behind the “deal” without the endorsement of the people of Jammu Kashmir and none, including China, opposed Indian military action. Neither USA nor UK can approve of invasion without popular consent as that goes against genuine democracy.
India bought problems
While it’s ruthless occupational crimes in Kashmir as it key policy, India may have good things to claim credit like its music which has made its mark on the world stage. Indian food is cultural given. Indian fashion now competes at the level of haute couture even as Indian fabrics are in demand in both the East and the West as much as the ever increasing Indian demands for western clothes and electronics and fashions. Indian professionalism in media to highlight Indian needs above others, engineering and information technology has formed a swathe and Indian business’ know-how is cutting edge. Bollywood is interested in making big films to match the Hollywood productions. Last November, demonetization was welcomed by NRIs, but there is still a lingering suspicion that the truly rich got away.
There are many issues Indians face. Among them, the killings over beef eating make us look savage and primitive. The refusal by the Parliament to revoke Article 377, a vicious law imposed on India by the same foreign yoke which ironically has no such law in its own country. Indian men still decide what women can do with their bodies. But fanatics Hindus only talk about Islam and Muslim religious rights. The Big Brother manifested itself by way of linking Aadhaar cards with PAN cards, and no one quite knows why. For NRIs, it’s another hill to climb. Just as there was confusion about demonetization — rumors of another one are on the way — the public is unclear how GST will play out even as retailers pull back on several items till there is clarity.
With 29 states and seven union territories what are a few more of a sense of identity is assuaged. The seven sisters in the North East were hit by floods, and we took far too long to react, an acid commentary on our levels of awareness of an integral part of India.
A dangerous ignorance that China will exploit as it has spent the past two months trying to intimidate India on the borders of Bhutan and Sikkim. There are fears that a strong conflict is possible.
However, there’s little to celebrate. Since India was ruled for 200 years by a foreign power, Britain, it takes revenge on Kashmiris by occupying their nation since Indian independence.
The tension in Jammu Kashmir does not seem to be lessening as Indian occupation forces keep targeting Kashmir youth.
Indian terror strategists argue that India should never budge and surrender Kashmir to Kashmiris. And, therefore, unless a “hardcore” decision to void Article 370 is made to bring that nation on par with Indians states of the country, the issue will never be resolved. All we will do is confront civilians with guns and widen the chasm. The constant appeasement as a policy only breeds contempt. The call for Gorkhaland in the east needs to be resolved swiftly.
India believes military action can solve all problems of Kashmiris once for all. In 2016, India imposed terror at IOC by to surgical terror attacks in Uri. Yes, keeping Indian troops’ morale high should be of utmost importance.
Abrogation of Article 35A: Widespread agitation against BJP’s ‘Israel model?
Abrogation of Article 35A: Kashmiris prepare for widespread agitation against BJP’s ‘Israel model.’
From hawkers to grocers, manufacturers, and dealers, everyone stands united in their view that abolishment of Article 35A will bring turmoil in the Valley
Article 35A of the Constitution empowers the Jammu and Kashmir legislature to define its “permanent residents” and their special rights and privileges. It was added to the Constitution in 1954 through a presidential order.
In Srinagar’s trade heartland, Lal Chowk, the local cab drivers sound like doomsayers. They are talking about the possible political fallouts in Kashmir, in case the Supreme Court of India, under pressure from the Modi government, abolishes Article 35A of the Constitution of India that restricts any outsider other than state subjects of Jammu Kashmir from acquiring immovable properties or having voting rights.
The others could only offer sighs than to comment or intervene over his ‘no fun’ remark. Such ‘distressed’ talks have overtaken the Valley since long. It is reminding people of those ‘talks of revolt’ that took place in the Kashmir Valley before Burhan Wani’s killing last summer in an encounter with forces.
These discussions are taking place inside offices, shops, streets, buses and inside homes. The idea of losing their permanent residency, employment, property, and scholarship, to outsiders, in case the Article 35A is removed or altered, is keeping Kashmiris on edge. Kashmiris have lost their sovereignty to India due to a deep rooted conspiracy.
Kashmiris are quite aware of the ‘onslaught on Kashmir’s special status.’ “Kashmiris won’t allow tinkering with our state subject law. We still repent the day when our leader Sheikh Abdullah committed a blunder by trusting the Delhi (government),” says an old employee. But now, he says, as a train of tourists comes out of the TRC after registration, “The government of India must know that it isn’t the same Kashmir as before. Any attempts to alter our constitutional status will be opposed tooth and nail.” This defiant mood has to do with the petition filed by an NGO ‘We the Citizens’ in the Supreme Court in 2014, seeking to scrap Article 35A. After serving notices to both, the state as well as Centre, the apex court only received counter-petition filed by the state government.
BJP and PDP rule the JK state, promoting the Hindu, Hindutva and Indian interests in return for money from New Delhi. The BJP-ruled Centre refused to file an affidavit, but instead sought a “larger debate.” The Centre’s posturing has unsettled the mood in the Valley with political commentators asserting that the Narendra Modi-led government is clearing all decks to scrap the article to settle outsiders in the Valley.
In fact, a larger sense prevails in the Valley that the BJP government wants to resolve the Kashmir issue through demographic changes.
While the Opposition and separatist camps in Kashmir have threatened an uprising over the judicial tinkering of the Article 35A, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has warned the central government that any such attempts won’t leave any “tricolor upholder” in the Valley.
The commoners in the Valley are getting mentally prepared for putting up a “bigger battle” to safeguard their constitutional positioning. Commenting on the controversy, he says, “On the one hand, the government of India calls for peace in Kashmir, while on the contrary, it threatens the very idea of it by resorting to the courts to achieve its political motives… Now, tell me, who is playing the role of a ‘terrorist’ in Kashmir?”
In restive Maisuma, the stronghold of pro-freedom leader Yasin Malik, the buzz is getting shrill. Many residents who often take the security forces head-on through street protests here see a ‘Hindutva pattern’ in the latest controversy.
Ever since the PDP formed a coalition government with the BJP, every person in Kashmir knew that there would be tension. This is essentially an RSS government led by the PDP madam. “But we will make sure we do not accede to their wishes and demands.”
In uptown Srinagar, many pose a question as to why the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is still in alliance with the BJP. In this ‘new’ Srinagar neighborhood known to house the government officialdom, the mood might not be militant, but the locals are flying the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP-BJP government. “Every Kashmiri is politically sound as we are living in a political disturbed and conflict zone. How come RSS thinks that they can fool people of Kashmir by resorting to such tactics?” says a trader in Hyderpora.
In Srinagar’s MA Road, which is lately witnessing a string of protests by students of a women’s college, against the security crackdown on Kashmiris, a college-goer blames PM Modi and his government for triggering fresh tensions in the Valley for political changes. “They wish for Kashmir to get disturbed, like in 2016, and that our people should again get killed or injured with pellets, slapped with cases under the Public Safety Act and be taken to the jails and police stations.”
In Kashmir’s restriction zone aka Downtown Srinagar, the discussions revolve around Delhi’s (central government’s) “decadal deceit” with the people of Kashmir. “India only wants Kashmir, not Kashmiris,” says a retired engineer, of Rajouri Kadal, the bastion of Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. “Otherwise, they would have never said that Indians will come and settle here for helping change the azadis course. But they are mistaken. Such attempts hardly undo the legitimate demands.”
In the narrow lanes of Habba Kadal, a non-migrant Kashmiri Pandit, who only gives his first name to protect his identity, calls the ‘article 35A controversy’ as New Delhi’s foolishness. “So far, the government of India has not been successful in getting the Kashmiri Pandits back to Kashmir, and now this blatant attempt to create a mini-India out of Kashmir is simply nonsensical,” says Suresh. “They only know how to trigger tensions in Kashmir. They should come and live here for a week as a commoner, and then give these nonsensical statements.”
Now no migrant Pandit wants to return to the Valley, which is affected because of the everyday killings, strikes, and lack of jobs. From hawker to grocers, and from manufacturers to dealers, everyone stands united in their view. “Every Kashmiri wants to fight. I know my business will also suffer, but I can manage with sookhi dal roti (dry rotis) than allowing any sinister federal designs to alter the demography of my Valley,” says an hotelier in Srinagar.
When people are faced with atrocities, it is a natural tendency to fight against it. India should take note that it is a politically disturbed state and if they (the Centre) falter with our law, not only in Kashmir, but more than 80 percent of the state will be affected, and there will be violence all around.
Al-Qaeda or USA?
Apparently, Al Qaeda has arrived in Kashmir, and the ramification of the development is yet to be ascertained.
Musa is the youngest but first militant from Kashmir who has been linked with a global outfit. He has not pledged his support to the Al-Qaeda yet. But if such a thing happens then it will be bad for both Kashmir as well India.
The statement from Al-Qaeda naming Zakir Musa, the former militant commander of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, as the head of its wing in Kashmir has generated mixed reactions within and outside the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The Al-Qaeda announcement has divided the militant ranks in the Valley with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Taiba rejecting any role for the international terror organization in the Valley. Many in the Valley are taken aback, worrying about its impact on the ongoing
Many believe that India will intensify its policy towards Kashmiris after the Al-Qaeda announcement. “Musa’s exit from Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and subsequent developments in the Valley’s political scenario have created ambiguity here. Musa is being hailed both as an Indian agent and an Islamist, but I think the Kashmir issue is now becoming more complex, moving beyond the Hurriyat paradigm,” a political scientist said.
Freedom fighting militant groups to are reflecting on the new development, assessing its repercussions on Kashmir’s struggle. “There is no space for any international organization like Daesh (Islamic State) and Al-Qaeda in the state,” said Salahuddin who also cautioned the people to remain vigilant of the conspiracies of India and keep their relations intact with (the) organization fighting against the Indian Army. They should not become a part of any global agenda,” he said. However, many in the Valley believe that the situation is going to change if Musa, indeed, happens to be affiliated with Al-Qaeda.
Over the years Al-Qaeda has changed a lot. Many of its affiliates have detached themselves from the main wing and become entirely indigenous. Kashmir will be no exception. The newly nominated group is likely to work indigenously. It will increase the popularity of Musa and more youths will likely join his group than the others shortly.”
Al-Qaeda’s announcement also indicates that after years of talking about the travails of Palestine, Kashmir, and Myanmar, it has finally mustered the courage to come forward for Kashmir’s struggle. But, the separatist leaders in the Valley have already denied any involvement of international groups like Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State of Kashmir. However, there are others who also disagree on Musa’s involvement.
Some police officers emphasized that if the Al-Qaeda gets involved, it will strengthen the hands of the militants. This kind of development would undoubtedly lead to confusion as well as ideological clashes
The reactions from Kashmir are mixed, but what everyone agrees upon is that Al-Qaeda’s announcement is an interesting development and opens a new chapter in Kashmir’s post-1989 armed local insurgency.
NIA targets Kashmiris
The latest unrest and perpetual demonstrations have dominated the Kashmir streets and affected Kashmiri life. But the new development has upset all calculations of New Delhi the worst way possible.
As a natural response to the emerging sovereignty demand, India has used its National Investigation Agency (NIA) to create problems for the freedom Hurriyet leaders. And NIA is working over night to cripple the freedom movement. India has learned all these tactics from its former Masters in London. It targets mosques and Islamic educational institutions.
The National Investigation Agency on July 18, 2017, has sent notice to Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid and an education trust run by separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to find out whether or not funds collected at the mosque are used to fuel the unrest in Jammu and Kashmir. The state witnessed over seven-month-long unrest after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander Burhan Muzafar Wani, in July last year.
The NIA has also issued a notice seeking appearance of Mohammad Ibrahim Shah, secretary, Anjuman-e-Nusrat-ul-Islam, an education trust, which is headed by Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. The trust runs Islamic educational institutes in the areas of Rajouri Kadal, Safa Kadal and Bota Kadal in Kashmir. Both the Anjumani Auqaf and Nusrat ul Islam have been asked to furnish their accounts of the last five years.
Besides looking into the role of Hurriyat Conference leaders, the NIA has also written letters to some newspapers asking them to furnish details about stone-pelters whom they had mentioned in their stories. “It is learned that your newspaper has published some articles/news items mentioning the names and addresses of those involved in cases of stone pelting, burning of schools and damage to government property in the past one year starting from 1st July, 2016. It is requested to direct the concerned to provide the above-mentioned documents/photographs/articles for investigation in the instant case,” read the letter issued by the NIA. The NIA is also investigating the role of former militants as well as the political leaders associated with Syed Ali Shah Geelani, chairman, Hurriyat Conference (Geelani), in funding the unrest in Jammu and Kashmir.
The NIA is also looking at the role of close associates of Geelani in fanning the unrest and has recently summoned National Front chairman, Nayeem Ahmad Khan, in the case. Khan, who was recently in Delhi in connection with the investigation that is being carried out, has termed the investigations “witch-hunt.”
The investigation agency also questioned two retired bureaucrats and relatives of Farooq — Moulvi Shafat and Moulvi Manzoor — in the case. Both Shafat and Manzoor were in New Delhi for over a week and were questioned by the NIA in the case.
Earlier, the state police arrested some local youth for burning schools during the unrest while many others were slapped with the Public Safety Act (PSA) to keep them in judicial custody.
Observation
While earlier, India did not take the agitation of Kashmiris seriously, now it has taken unrest by Kashmiris and especially the youth leadership very very seriously. India is for the first time in occupation history is scared. Hence New Delhi is scheming to fix the Kashmiris Muslims in as many ways as time permits.
Kashmiris want total independence first from India, whether Pakistan supports or not. Kashmiris seek to regain all territories lost since 1947, whether China like that or not.
India should read the messages written on the wall and make sincere efforts to surrender sovereignty to Kashmirs and help them make a home for a peaceful existence with their property.
It is high time the UNSC wakes up to the occupational reality and realizes the truth about brutal Indian intentions in Occupied Jammu Kashmir and ask India to behave. Kashmiris do not possess weapons, except few pieces of stones being gathered from time to time to defend themselves from Indian military brutality.
Can ordinary stones end Indian military attacks on innocent Kashmiris?
Already India has consumed over 1000,000 Kashmiris, and much more have disappeared. Enough of Indian state crimes in Kashmir. India should not be allowed to kill more Kashmiris.
Let the UNSC convene a special UN assembly meeting to grant sovereignty to Kashmiris.