THERE are only few world leaders who have in unambiguous words vehemently denounced the Indian atrocities in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Prominent amongst them is Malaysian leader Mahathir Mohamad. Addressing an event held in Kuala Lumpur in support of oppressed Kashmiri people, the former Malaysian Prime Minister vowed to continue to raise the issue of New Delhi’s injustices in disputed region.
His statement followed a series of tweets by him in which he defended his right to speak up against India’s human rights violations in occupied Kashmir, saying doing so would be to stand up for humanity. Also last year when he was the prime minister, he had strongly condemned Indian actions in occupied Kashmir at the UN General Assembly session without fearing Indian backlash, which had cancelled orders for import of palm oil from Malaysia. Mahathir, through his words and actions, has proved that great leaders like him never comprise on values and principles and that there is no word of political or economic expediency in their dictionary. The oppressed Kashmir people and Pakistani nation expect the same firm and principled stance from other Muslim leaders in order to pressurise India to move towards resolution of the seven decades outstanding dispute as per the UN Security Council resolutions which accept the right of self determination of Kashmiri people. Just like Mahathir, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has also extended an unequivocal support to the oppressed Kashmiri people. His address to joint sitting of Pakistani Parliament earlier this year where he condemned unilateral and illegal actions in occupied Kashmir is still fresh in our minds.
While Muslim world’s two most respected leaders are supporting Pakistani stance on Kashmir, it is time for our government to accelerate efforts to mould public opinion in other Muslim countries in support of Kashmiri people. Pakistan and Kashmiri Diaspora should be involved to project the plight of Kashmiri people. At this critical juncture, Pakistan should also host a conference on Kashmir inviting Muslim leaders to attend it to send a strong message of solidarity to the Kashmiri people. As stated by Mahathir in his tweet, keeping quiet is not an option when all the telltale signs were pointing towards another situation whereby a big and powerful country imposed its will with impunity on a small and defenceless nation. This moot should go beyond mere a sitting session and it must take concrete steps that pressurise New Delhi to first rescind the illegal steps in the occupied territory and then move towards its resolution.
