In the backdrop of the
present armed struggle for independence of Jammu and Kashmir, one finds
it really difficult to make even the educated Indians understand the
true aspirations of Kashmiri people. While most Indians remain
ignorant, many others find it difficult to believe that a vast majority
of Kashmiris is in fact fighting for achieving a sovereign homeland,
independent of Indian as well as Pakistani control. Courtesy UN
resolutions on Kashmir, a vicious media campaign, the ignorant masses
and myopic polity, for every Indian whether educated or otherwise,
turmoil in a Muslim majority Kashmir means a struggle for secession
from Indian union and merger with Pakistan.
In a moment of enlightenment it dawned upon me how right Shaheed
Muhammad Maqbool Bhat had been in putting forward the idea of
independent Kashmir. Beyond domains of history of Kashmir prior to
Mughal invasion into the realms of post 1947-48 scenario, the great
thinker seemed to have clearly visualized and understood that an
Independent Kashmir was not only the answer to Kashmiri aspirations but
also the only solution acceptable to India and Pakistan both. By giving
Jammu and Kashmir a Political identity of its own and accepting it as
sovereign entity, India and Pakistan can bring the present carnage to
an end. Having accepted the basic right of Kashmiris to choose their
political future as enshrined in the UN Charter, the two South Asian
Giants would actually stand to command respect from global community
and emerge as true champions of Human Rights, Dignity, Respect, and
Liberty.
Looking back at the events of history that led to
imbroglio over Jammu and Kashmir and the present cycle of unending
violence, one gets compelled to blame the two dimensional approach
adopted by the UN security council when the matter was referred to it
following the partition of India in 1947. The august body had failed to
respect the basic right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to choose
their own political identity and aspire for a future they deemed fit.
Having shown utter disrespect to its own charter that empowers the
people to choose their own political future, the United Nations
unfortunately gave Kashmiris a right to choose their future within
Indian union or then newly formed Pakistan reducing them to a flock of
cattle. Amid claims of both India and Pakistan over entire Jammu and
Kashmir, the residents of the territory though mentioned in dignified
words are actually treated as surplus contents of a prized real estate
which have no significance with change in title.
The visionary
Maqbool Bhat was the first person to remind the world that UN Charter
had empowered the people of Jammu and Kashmir to choose their political
future beyond the political and physical boundaries of India or
Pakistan. Kashmiris according to him also had a right like other
nations to exist in the global community as a sovereign state as it
existed before Mughal Invasion.
Shaheed Muhammad Maqbool Bhat
always said that for the world community Kashmir may be just another
issue, a conflict or at least a cause for it. But as far as people of
Jammu and Kashmir are concerned it is not only a matter of dignity,
honour and physical survival but also that of their existence as a
responsible nation with political identity among other nations of
world. A land where children could smile and play, where women instead
of crying over dead could sing songs while their men plough fields in
the back drop of Blue Mountain. Where meadows instead of turning into
grave yards would grow flowers spreading heavenly fragrance. A dream
destination where people come to explore and enjoy as tourists not as
occupational armies to run muck. A nation that would spend all its
energies improving health, education and economy of people.
Recent
statements from President Pervez Musharraf regarding Demilitarization
and Self Rule, in fact strengthen the philosophy of Shaheed Maqbool
Bhat. Sardar Atique, the Prime Minster of Pak administered Kashmir and
the veteran Politician Sardar Qayoom Khan has stated that in the
present day context, UN resolution on Kashmir have become irrelevant,
Having said so, they all not only depart from their previous stand but
in effect express a desire to move towards a more appealing solution
enshrined in demilitarizing Kashmir to usher in self rule. While
several segments in the separatist camp and mainstream political
factions in Indian controlled Kashmir also favour President Pervez
Musharraf’s doctrine.
Maqbool’s philosophy of third option on
Kashmir gets vindicated most strongly ever. Irrespective of how
Musharraf understands his doctrine or how the separatist camps or the
Pro-India band wagon interpret it, the politically conscious people of
Jammu and Kashmir have a very clear understanding of the terms
demilitarization and self rule. Endorsing the view of Shaheed Maqbool
Bhat on third option, for the right thinking people, demilitarization
without mincing words means India and Pakistan both actually
relinquishing their control on the disputed territory. The acceptable
self rule at the same time is seen as a completely independent form of
governance.
It is the time that India, Pakistan and the people
living on both sides of the cease fire line accept this principle of
Independent Kashmir in order to bring lasting pace to south Asia and
make the world a safer place.
