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Kashmir's future in Limbo: Palestine 2.0
8-07-2019
Gaza is no longer the largest open-air prison in the world – Kashmir is!
August 5, 2019 will be remembered as one of the saddest days in Islamic history. Historians will write that selfish, incompetent and impotent leadership which reigned the divided Islamic world did absolutely nothing as Indian right-wing BJP government, lead by their genocidal war criminal leader, Narendra Modi, responsible for thousands of Muslim deaths during 2002 Godhra riots, revoked the article 370 from Indian Constitution. Thus, taking away rights of fourteen million Kashmiri Muslims, and converting the Indian Occupied Kashmir into a future Gaza.
Yes, that is precisely what happened, and for the next fifty years or so we will continue to witness nothing except brute force of the world’s third largest military machine crushing Kashmiri Muslims – taking away their basic fundamental right to exist and breath – as it forges ahead in converting, the now, majority Muslim state of Kashmir into a Hindu dominated part of India.
Revocation of Article 370 paves the way for Indian government to start land encroachment and developing “settlements” into Indian Occupied Kashmir, providing incentives for Hindus to settle into IOK, and eventually strip Kashmiris of their land ownership.
In all this, the one country with vested interests in Kashmir, and Kashmiri people – Pakistan – world’s fifth largest military and only Muslim country with the nuclear bomb is pinning its hopes on a toothless and paper tigers – OIC and UN – to find a “Diplomatic” solution to compel current Indian government to reconsider its decision. It is evidently clear; the current Pakistani government lives in a fool’s paradise. This despite seventy-two years of failure after failure in finding a peaceful solution over Kashmir. The Pakistani government still hoping for a miracle.
What is article 370? Article 370 of the Indian constitution gave special status to the region of Jammu and Kashmir, allowing it to have a separate constitution, a state flag and autonomy over the internal administration of the state. This article, along with Article 35A, defined that the Jammu and Kashmir state's residents live under a separate set of laws, including those related to citizenship, ownership of property, and fundamental rights, as compared to resident of other Indian states. As a result of this provision, Indian citizens from other states could not purchase land or property in Jammu & Kashmir.
In addition, the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill was passed in both the Houses of Parliament, which proposes to divide the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories to be called Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
In summary, the Kashmir conflict between India and Pakistan dates to 1947, rooted in colonial power, British hasty exit from the sub-continent, post world war 2, where the Muslim majority provinces of the sub-continent, now Bangladesh and Pakistan became East, and West Pakistan, and Hindu majority provinces became the modern-day India. Kashmir, one of the 550 “Princely States” not subject to partition was ruled by a Hindu Maharaja, Hari Singh, with predominantly Muslim majority population was left to choose its own destiny. Mr. Singh, unlike other princely states wanted its own independence as a separate nation. He had signed a standstill agreement with Pakistan, on trade and travel with Pakistan. There was no such agreement signed between Kashmir and India.
However, the will of the majority Kashmiris was to join Pakistan. The western half of the Kashmir acceded to Pakistan, now known as Azad (Free) Kashmir under Pakistani Control. Due to rising resentment, the Hindu maharaja sought help from his Hindu counterparts for a military intervention to help stop the freedom movement. The Indian government forced Mr. Singh to sign an instrument of accession that Kashmir would accede to India for their military assistance. In october1947, Mr. Singh signed the agreement, against the will of the Kashmiris. Kashmir was later given the special status within Indian Constitution, under Article 370. This status is now revoked.
UN have passed number of resolutions in regard to the Kashmir conflict, dating back to 1948, UN Resolution number 47, requiring both nations to commit towards a peaceful solution. It requires Pakistan to withdraw all its citizens from Kashmir, and India to reduce its military presence to bear minimum, and lastly to hold an independent plebiscite and let the people of Kashmir to decide their destiny. After seven decades the conflict continues.
OIC Secretary General, secretary-general, Yousef bin Ahmed al-Othaimeen, reaffirmed the OIC's "support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their just struggle to achieve their legitimate rights, in particular the right to self-determination".
OIC’s Assistant Secretary General, Samir Bakr Diab, issued a statement, "The Contact Group condemned India's recent illegal and unilateral steps, aimed at undermining the demographics and the disputed nature of the Jammu and Kashmir in contravention of the relevant UN resolutions, which seriously imperil regional peace and security."
While the world leaders, from U.S., U.K., China and many other nations called for restraints, encouraging dialogue, between India and Pakistan, to keep peace and stability in the region. “The UAE’s top official in India has given his backing to the Bharatya Janata Party (BJP) government over its decision to revoke Kashmir’s treaty of accession, which will take autonomy away from the people of the state and potentially lead to the settlement of Indians in the disputed territory” reported TRT.
“India’s illegal action of modifying the special status of Indian occupied Kashmir will have serious implications for regional peace and security,” Khan said, according to a statement by his office.
Khan “reiterated that Pakistan would continue its diplomatic, moral and political support to the just cause of the Kashmiri struggle for their right to self-determination as enshrined in United Nations Security Council resolutions,” the statement added.
Erdogan also shared his concerns over the situation and assured Khan of Turkey’s “steadfast support in this regard.” Reported Hurriyet daily.
While most of the world leaders, including Muslim leaders are repeating same rhetoric, “dialogue,” “peace and security,” “restraint,” etc. only Pakistan has downgraded its diplomatic relations with India, by sending the Indian ambassador to back to India, and recalling its ambassador back.
As long as the world leaders turn blind eye to conflicts such as Palestine and Kashmir, and Muslim leadership remain preoccupied with safeguarding their own national interests, the abhorrent conditions for Muslims will continue, whether it be against Chinese Uighurs, Palestinians, or Kashmiris.
Time has come for the Muslim ummah to speak out against this systematic suppression of Muslims around the world.
What can we do us Canadians.
Write letters to editors of local newspapers. It will highlight the importance of the Kashmir issue and their editors will eventually cover the story.
Write letters to your local MP's. It is election time and they will pay attention. You can also CC your email to foreign affairs and the Prime Minister.
Attend protest rally’s and show your support at all forum.
FINALLY MOST IMPORTANTLY MAKE DUA FOR THE OPPRESSED.
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