Kashmir Solidarity Day marks another year of soul wrenching and agonising reticence on the Kashmir conundrum due to the selfish and zionist mindset of Indian power elite. After over seven decades, the transparent and impartial plebiscite promised to Kashmiris by the UNSC’s 47th Resolution is still a pipe dream. Their pathway to freedom is hurdled with constant bombardment of Indian fascist policies, inhumane treatment of Kashmiris in IIOJK and a Hindu supremacist mindset. Unfortunately, the free world is found to be sleepy and standing aloof, turning a blind eye.
The world peace forum unanimously passed its 47th Resolution pledging plebiscite. This was followed by 15 more such resolutions till 1957, all reinforcing the already pledged right of self determination. Kashmiris have rendered unparalleled sacrifices for attaining the pledged right. They have filled the graveyards and have taken the pain of life-changing wounds, but all this has been unable to prick the world’s conscience. The broken promise reflects that not only has this body lost its mandate but the inaction is proving to be a slap on the face of the free world. Unfortunately, no action has been taken against India’s heinous treatment of Muslims in Kashmir in the last 74 years. The valley that once shimmered with its blissful and heart-stopping beauty has plunged into an era of darkness. Successive inhumane leaders of India have defied UN orders with no repercussions and have placed the valley under constant siege.
The current Hindutva-fuelled BJP govt has further escalated hostilities. Amendments in the Indian Constitution pertaining to Kashmir are the final nail in the coffin for secular India. The revocation of Article 370 that granted Kashmir a special status and privileges flies directly in the face of the UN policy on Kashmir. In addition to this, Indians are now allowed to settle in Kashmir after the rebuking of Article 35A. This ongoing incursion of laws and violence targeting Kashmiris is unequivocally the greatest modern day human rights tragedy.
Given the situation on ground and the indigenous freedom struggle in IIOJK, the only solution lies in holding a free and transparent plebiscite allowing Kashmiris on both sides to decide their fate and destiny. Any manoeuvring to impede or tailor any solution for appeasement of any side would further fan the flames. There is a dire need to stand tall and make an effort to aid Kashmiris in pursuit of their pledged right to self-determination.
I propose an all-encompassing strategy hinging on 6 strands which are interlinked/interdependent. Firstly, the political strand must be on the lead to take the issue to the political elites of powerful capitals. The diplomatic prong must make full use of its missions across the globe to enhance the understanding of their host capitals, their masses and think tanks about the impending Kashmiri issue, the Indian impediments and their state sponsored atrocities. This prong must take the issue repeatedly to UNSC, EU, OIC, G 20 and other world forums.
The moral strand must be good enough to reflect and convince the Kashmiris that they are not alone in their just cause. The Pakistani nation stands shoulder to shoulder in their struggle for rightful self determination. The lawfare strand must focus on highlighting unending violations of international law as regards to impeding execution of UNSC Resolutions, India’s attempt to change the demography of Kashmir and state-sponsored human rights abuses. Pakistan should move for sanctions against India if the fascist Indian government does not comply with the international laws.
The media strand must play its part in exposing Indian state-sponsored terrorism which is reflective of India’s fascist approach. The hardships being endured by the Kashmiris should be projected to tell the masses in powerful capitals that Kashmir is a bleeding wound awaiting their interjection. Lastly, military and intelligence manoeuvres are to be traversed to convince their military and intelligence counterparts especially in western capitals that Kashmir remains a nuclear flashpoint with consequences beyond borders and continents.
Yusuf Zaman
The writer is a student of law at Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad.