By: Azam Inqilabi
Notwithstanding its commitment to Kashmir cause Pakistan is literally acquiescing in on Kashmir front. Allama Iqbal’s concept of Pakistan was transmogrified into a reality by Quaid-e-Azam on Aug. 14, 1947. It was the sustained struggle of the Muslims of South Asia which eventually culminated in the creation of Pakistan as an ideological Muslim state supposed to guarantee the freedom, honour and prestige of the Muslims of South Asia.
Immediately after the death of Quaid-e-Azam on Sept. 11, 1948 Indian rulers, with an imperialistic mindset, raided Junagarh and Hyderabad and annexed these states with India. It is true that Pakistan had to go to war with India three or four times because of Kashmir but it is equally true that status-quo on Kashmir front could not be changed.
Muhammad Maqbool Butt, the resistance icon of Kashmir, showed the path of resistance. Shimla Agreement of 1972 and Indra-Abdullah accord of 1975 disheartened Kashmiris. Muhammad Maqbool Butt, in order to blaze a trail, mustered up courage to face his adversary in Kashmir valley. So he re-entered Kashmir Valley in May 1976. He was ready to face the gallows. He was arrested and lodged in Tihar jail Delhi where he remained languishing for eight years. It was on Feb. 11, 1984 that the Kashmiri freedom zealot, who was really an embodiment of unflinching faith in Allah and resolve to resist the onslaught of India in Kashmir, was gibbeted and haltered on Feb. 11, 1984 in Tihar jail. Thus the committed Kashmiri warrior conveyed a metaphysical message: “you Kashmiris go ahead; try to break the shackles of slavery with added resolve and determination.†The metaphysical message of the protomartyr Maqbool Butt instigated thousands of Kashmiri youth.
It was on July 31, 1988 that Kashmiri young leaders like Ashfaq Majeed Wani, Sheikh Hameed, Javaid Ahmad Mir and Yasin Malik in league with other contemporary young compatriots launched armed struggle in Kashmir against the onslaught of India. The insurgency gained momentum within a few months but Pakistan did not muster up courage to intervene in Kashmir the way India did in Bangladesh in 1971. So the armed resistance assumed the dimensions of a protracted and long-drawn guerrilla warfare; and that too at the cost of Kashmir youth. In such a situation, therefore votaries who were spearheading the armed resistance were forced to have a reappraisal of their strategy. Thus followers of Maqbool Butt decided to ensure the transition of resistance movement from militant front to peaceful democratic front. In fact Maqbool Malik’s martyrdom which occurred on July 30, 1992 provided an incentive for a change in strategy.
It was the sustained effort of pro-freedom activists and leaders on the democratic-resistance front which facilitated the launching of All-Parties Hurriyat Conference in 1993. Alas! The forum got divided into two factions in 2003 due to the absence of Shoora system. However, members of the general council helped the senior resistance stalwart Syed Ali Geelani in launching a parallel Hurriyat Conference.
Mirwaiz Hurriyat faction became a controversial forum due to the role of Prof. Abdul Gani Butt who on May 6, 2012 said: “UN resolutions have become irrelevant. Let us forge an alliance with pro-India leaders for a common minimum programme.†Again the inauguration of Hassan Mall of Agha Hassan Badgami (the close associate of Mirwaiz) by state minister Gh. Hassan Mir created more fissures in Mirwaiz Hurriyat. Now senior resistance leaders do not feel like empathizing and identifying themselves with Hurriyat (Mirwaiz).
In such a situation Mahaz-e-Azadi resolves to follow in the footsteps of the protomartyr Maqbool Butt who commands respect as national hero of Kashmir. We will continue to show respect for the contemporary freedom leaders who have spent several years in jails, interrogation centres and police-stations.
Kashmir is not a barter and water issue. Border trade on Loc in the form of barter cannot alleviate the sufferings of Kashmiris. Mahaz-e-Azadi will continue to emphasize the importance of 3-D Freedom Formula which envisages: (a) Demilitarization of Kashmir on either side of the Loc. (b) Demolition of Berlin Wall (the Loc) and reunification of the two parts of Kashmir including Kashmir Valley, Kargil, Bhaderwah, Rajouri, Poonch, Rawalakote, Muzaffarabad and Athmuqam. (c) Democratic Verdict; installation of a single parliament where the parliamentarians of Kashmir will determine the political future of Kashmir through a Democratic Verdict; whether Kashmiris would want to opt for independence or some sort of relationship with either India or Pakistan.
Mahaz-e-Azadi makes an appeal to pro-freedom leaders on either side of the Loc to observe Aug. 13, 2012 as “Right to self-determination†day. There should be complete hartal on Aug. 13 in both parts of Kashmir. And speakers should explain the contours of right to self-determination as guaranteed by Aug.13, 1948 UNCIP resolution of UNO.
I vehemently condemn the re-arrest of senior resistance leader Mushtaq-ul-Islam who has spent about 16 years in jails. Government of India should review its repressive Kashmir policy and do something to mitigate the sufferings of people of Kashmir. Let all the political prisoners be released and draconian laws repealed.
Azam Inqilabi
Patron JK Mahaz-e-Azadi
Nageen, Hazratbal Srinagar, Kashmir mahazmediacell@gmail.com
