Why Solidarity with Kashmiris!
FEBRUARY 05, the Kashmir Solidarity Day is commemorated as a day when Pakistanis across the world renew their resolve to support the peaceful struggle of freedom of their Kashmiri brethren.
This day stands as a pledge for those millions of Kashmiris who have been engaged in struggle to win their right to self-determination from a usurper India, which has been unleashing a reign of terror on the hapless Kashmiris for the last over seven decades.
The day, observed since 1991, conveys a clear message to the Indians that they would have to recognise the right of Kashmiris to choose their fate by themselves as granted by United Nations resolutions.
The commemoration of Kashmir Solidarity Day is also a reminder to the international community to fulfil its commitments towards the peaceful resolution of the long-standing core question of Kashmir.
The people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir intensified their struggle for securing their right to self-determination in 1989.
In a bid to crush this popular movement, India appointed Jagmohan Malhotra, as the Governor of the occupied territory on 19 January 1990, dismissing the government of Farooq Abdullah.
Malhotra was already notorious for his anti-Muslim bias and activities in India.A day after the appointment of new Governor, Indian troops molested several women in Srinagar during house raids on the night of 20 January.
As the word about the molestation of the women spread in the morning, thousands of people took to the streets in the city to protest against the brutal action of the troops.
The occupation forces resorted to indiscriminate firing on the protesters in Gaw Kadal area of the city, killing over 50 people and injuring hundreds of others.
The massacre caused resentment in Pakistan and the ensuing 5th February was declared as a solidarity day all across the country.
There are legitimate and genuine reasons for the people of Pakistan to express solidarity with their oppressed Kashmiri brethren because both share strong bonds in respect of religion, geography, culture, aspirations and economy.
The leaders of Pakistan has always represented the Kashmiris’ aspirations and never betrayed the faith reposed on them by the Kashmiri people.
The father of the Nation, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, had termed Kashmir as the “Jugular Vein” of Pakistan.
The incumbent Prime Minister, Imran Khan, since assuming his office in August 2018 has vigorously highlighted at all global fora including the UN General Assembly the plight of the people of IIOJK, particularly post-5th August 2019.
The Army Chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, declared “We will fulfil our commitment towards Kashmir till last bullet, soldier and breath”.
It is a truth that despite exhausting all its resources, India has failed to subdue the liberation sentiment of Kashmiris.
In 2008, 2010 and 2016, hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in Srinagar and other towns of IIOJK with the demand of their right to self-determination.
Instead of respecting the sentiments of these people, Indian troops and police personnel responded with bullets, teargas shells and batons, killing hundreds of innocent Kashmiris.
Since 1989, the unabated Indian state terrorism has resulted in the killing of 95,971 innocent Kashmiris and disappearance of thousands in custody.
This phenomenon of killing has rendered 22,941 women widowed and 107,857 children orphaned.
The miseries of the people of IIOJK have increased manifold since Narendra Modi-led fascist government abrogated the special status of IIOJK on 05 August 2019.
Following this unconstitutional action, the Modi regime has not only stepped up the genocide of Kashmiris but also intensified implementation of its settler colonial plan to turn the Muslim majority into a minority.
In order to achieve its nefarious objectives, it has imposed several federal laws, introduced new domicile rules in IIOJK and granted domicile status to thousands of non-Kashmiri Hindus, replaced the Muslim names of important places and departments with Hindu names, and is also working on delimitation of Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies in the occupied territory with an aim to give more seats to Hindu-dominated areas of Jammu Division.
In view of the fact that innocent life and future of millions of Kashmiris are at stake owing to stubborn behaviour of India on the Kashmir dispute, the international stakeholders must practically express their solidarity with the oppressed people of Jammu and Kashmir.
They must employ reason and help settle this dispute, which has human proportions.
The supreme sacrifices of Kashmiris must not go unheard and waste.The resolutions of the UN should not be desecrated and the human rights violations by India should not be overlooked.
Following 05 August 2019 unconstitutional and illegal move by fascist Modi’s government, the settlement of the Kashmir dispute has become more imperative for the global peace. 5th February is a reminder, a stark reminder!
—The writer is a Senior News Editor at the Kashmir Media Service in Islamabad.
