By. Dr. Maqsood Jafri
In 1993, the book titled “Divided Kashmir” written by Dr. Mushtaq – ur- Rehman , professor Geography, IQWA State University , USA was published. He kindly gave me one book to give my opinion on it. This book consists of fourteen chapters and is a candid and comprehensive study of the age long struggle of the Kashmirs and the genesis of the Kashmir case along with the historical, cultural, political and religious back ground of Kashmir. In my book titled “ The Plight of Kashmir “in Chapter 9, I have reviewed on it. He had proposed nine solutions of Kashmir issue. The mention able are the following one. Solution of Kashmir dispute according to the UN resolutions; Independent Kashmir;to maintain the status quo and accept the Cease Fire Line with minor changes and Joint Indo- Pakistan Control over Kashmir. While discussing different options , the author comes out with his final opinion and on page 12 writes: “ This study proposes splitting the State of Jammu and Kashmir on the principle of the internationally planned and financed Indus Basin Treaty of 1960. Then on page 324 he opined: “ To resolve the Kashmir dispute, the State should be divided following the precedence of the Indus Water Treaty”.
It is pertinent to mention here that Owen Dixon had also proposed the division of Kashmir which was not accepted by Pakistan.
Let us briefly analyze these options. So for, the first proposal is concerned, it is not only the stand of Pakistan, even India is a signatory on the UN resolutions. Both the countries accepted the holding of a free, fair and transparent plebiscite in Kashmir. Kashmir is the long standing issue on the agenda of UN. It is an unfinished agenda of the Partition Plan of the Sub- continent. In a meeting chaired by the last Viceroy of India, Lord Mountbatten , in which the rulers of 564 Princely States participated, it was decided that with the consent of the people, the states would decide to join either India or Pakistan. India has trampled under jack boots the decision taken in the meeting of the Chamber of Princes and also the UN resolutions. India is even today perpetrating unprecedented atrocities on the defenseless Kashmiris. India has revoked the article 370 and article 35- A from its constitution and violated not only her own constitution but also violated UN resolutions. How can Pakistan budge an inch from its genuine international stance? About the other proposal of division of Kashmir per Indus Water Treaty put in the book titled “Divided
Kashmir,” in my book “The Plight of Kashmir “
on page 99 , I had written: “ Lord Mountbatten , Owen Dixon and many others have time and again presented the Idea of the division of Kashmir through different angles with different proposals. Dr. Mushtaq-ur-Rehman has also presented the proposal of the division of Kashmir from his own view point. Whether his proposal is feasible and pragmatic or not, we should staunchly stick to our stand and pressurize the UNO for implementation of its resolutions on Kashmir.” The Kashmiris will never accept the division of Kashmir. Kashmir and Pakistan are inseparable. Kashmir is the life line of Pakistan. The issue of Kashmir is not the issue of the division of territory. It is not a territorial dispute. It is the issue of the freedom of a nation. It is their human and democratic right to decide whether they want to join Pakistan or India. India has merged Kashmir by demonic designs. It plans to alter Kashmir into a Hindu majority state but will never succeed as the Kashmiri freedom fighters are all out to desist and defy the Indian hegemonic plans. They are writing their history with their blood. They are the victims of extra judicial killings. Their limbs are amputated. They are facing pellet guns and are being blinded. The ladies are gang raped. The children are kidnapped and their bodies are chopped like carrots and cabbages. But ferocious and fierce Indian army have totally failed in breaking the will of brave Kashmiri youth.
So far as the proposal of Independent Kashmir is concerned, it is not feasible. Kashmir is a land locked territory. No other state in the Sub- continent was given the choice to remain independent. The ruler of the state of Hiaderabad Daccan was Muslim , while the majority of population was of the Hindus. He announced to remain independent and had planned to accede to Pakistan. India attacked and on the plea of Hindus majority forcibly annexed it. If this formula is correct, then why India does not apply it on Kashmir whose ruler was Hindu but the majority of population is Muslim?
It is pertinent to mention that the Kashmiris are neither sacrificing their lives for the division of Kashmir nor for an independent Kashmir. Their martyrs are wrapped in the flag of Pakistan and then buried. Pakistan is their haven and heaven. Pakistan was created on the basis of Two Nation Theory and the Kashmiris staunchly believe in Islam. Kashmir, Jammu, Azad Kashmir, Gilgat- Baltistan and Ladakh are in unison and as a single unit will vote for Pakistan if fair and free plebiscite is held under the auspices of UN.
In my opinion an other option of having the joint administrative control of India and Pakistan on Kashmir is not feasible and is a futile mental boggling. Dr. Mushtaq also insinuated to this possibility but I consider it impractical and against the wish of Kashmir is. The Kashmir is can not imagine to hoist the Indian flags. Pakistani flag is their shroud. India is an aggressor and the murderer of Kashmir is. How the Kashmir is can accept any such proposal?
The only solution of Kashmir issue is to accept the right to Self- determination granted to the Kashmir is by the UN. It is the moral and legal obligation of the UN to pressurize India to honor UN resolutions. Chapter 7 of the UN Charter must be enforced as India has proved to be an aggressor in Kashmir. The UN member countries must sever the diplomatic relations with India and economic sanctions must be imposed on it. It is the requirement of UN Charter. Why this provision is not being enforced against India?
The Organization of Islamic Countries ( OIC) owes much regarding Kashmir Issue. It is obligatory on them to take firm stand against the violation of human rights in Kashmir by the fascist India. They must boycott with India and close the Indian embassies until the resolution of Kashmir issue in the light of UN resolutions.
In the end I would like to quote a paragraph from my book titled The Plight of Kashmir as it sounds pertinent to the situation of Kashmir even today. In 1996, I had written: “ As the uprising is gaining momentum on Indian- held Kashmir, the callous and ferocious Indian Security Forces are running amuck. They are shooting, looting, raping, maiming and ransacking the Kashmir is, absolutely oblivious to the heart rending shrieks and screams of the defenseless Kashmir is, whom four decades ago , the right to Self- determination was granted by the UN. But now when they have taken up arms in defense for their inalienable rights, they are being branded as terrorists by India and her patrons. “
I had written these lines 25 years ago. Even today the situation is the same. The UN resolution permits armed struggle against oppressors. If today, the oppressed Kashmir is are fighting for their freedom, how can they be branded terrorists? Are the freedom fighters terrorists? India is involved in State Terrorism. Is not India a terrorist country? If so , then why the economic sanctions are not imposed on India? Why diplomatic relations are not severed with India? Who will answer these questions?
( The writer is an author, poet, educationist and columnist based at Islamabad)