CONTRADICTING Indian government’s claim that Kashmir is a bilateral dispute between New Delhi and Islamabad, the General Secretariat of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Saturday reaffirmed the internationally recognised status of Jammu and Kashmir dispute. The Islamic bloc in its statement called for immediate lifting of curfew, restoration of communication link and respect for fundamental rights of Kashmiris.
At this critical juncture when an indefinite curfew has been imposed in the occupied Valley, the people there are looking towards Muslim countries to come forward to help end their miseries. The statement on part of the OIC’s General Secretariat is positive yet it is time of going beyond mere issuing statements and taking some practical steps in support of oppressed Kashmiri people. The OIC was established with the aim to serve as a single platform for collective voice of the Muslim world that works to protect the interests of Muslims. However, over the years, it has proved to be a dysfunctional and a weak entity that failed to do anything worthwhile to end persecution of Muslims in Palestine, Kashmir and other parts of the world. This is the reason that many people in Pakistan have started calling for pulling out of the OIC. The reason is that most of the influential Muslim countries care more for their economic interests than standing up for the oppressed. One saw its manifestation during the recent visit of fascist Modi to two Arab states where he was given a rousing welcome and also honoured with the highest civil award.
Anyway, if the OIC really wants to be recognised as a true representative body of Muslim world, it will have to take firm stance and take concrete steps to force India to stop its atrocities in occupied Kashmir. In our view, an extraordinary Summit of OIC on Kashmir should be convened immediately wherein New Delhi should be given an unambiguous message to end its oppression in occupied Kashmir and move towards resolution of this festering dispute with Pakistan or face enbloc severing of diplomatic relations and boycott of its products. Mere statements will not bring any relief to Kashmiri people rather it is the united stance and posture of Muslim countries that will bring racist Modi into his senses.
