Kashmiris remind UN of its resolutions
SRINAGAR: On the right to self-determination day on January 5, Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control staged peaceful protests, organized seminars and signature campaigns reminding the United Nations about non-implementation of its resolution on Kashmir despite passing of 60 years.
Under the banner of Hurriyat Conference, thousands of people from across the held Valley participated in a signature campaign and sent a memorandum to UN secretary general, Ban Ki Moon, to register their protest against denial of right to self-determination to them. Similar memorandum was sent to UN by AJK chapter of Hurriyat Conference.
It was on this day in 1949 that the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution which recognised the right to self-determination of Kashmiris. It was for the first time since the Eidgah march in August last year that the Chairmen of two factions of Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, shared the stage. They were first to put their signatures on the memorandum to UN.
Amidst pro-freedom slogans thousands of people participated in the signature campaign. Earlier, a seminar ‘Applicability of Right to Self-Determination in 21st Century and Kashmir Issue’ organized by Hurriyat Conference examined various aspects of UN resolutions on Kashmir, consequences of its non-implementation and present political situation in the Valley.
Chairman of Hurriyat (M), Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, came down heavily on UN and India for failing to implement its resolutions on Kashmir. “We have been considering UN resolution as foundations of our struggle, but its role on Kashmir has been disappointing. By adopting cold approach on Kashmir, UN is as responsible as India in tyranny of Kashmiris,” Mirwaiz said.
Mirwaiz said whenever international community stressed for resolution of Kashmir dispute, India diverts the issue terming it as its internal matter. “Everybody, including UN and India is talking about its interests. Nobody is bothered about the Kashmiris who are burning in cauldron of oppression unleashed by India troops to suppress the movement.”
Mirwaiz said the Kashmir dispute is the same as was in 1947. “The elections and change of guard could not change the nature of the dispute. India is systematically trying to build such institutions to get acceptability of Kashmiris. We have to break the status quo which India has been maintaining on Kashmir by virtue of its military might,” he said.
Mirwaiz said New Delhi by force has been able to silence the struggle during past few months but it can not suppress it. He said being signatory to UN resolutions, India has no legal authority on Kashmir. “That is why New Delhi conducted elections in presence of 10 lakh troops. It also sought votes from Kashmiris in lieu of basic facilities. However, it misrepresented the votes as referendum by Kashmiris to hoodwink the international community,” he said.
Mirwaiz said Government is bound to provide basic facilities. “India is not doing any favor to Kashmiris by providing facilities as they pay taxes. There is no shame in demanding the facilities. Let India leave Kashmir we will develop our own resources.”
Mirwaiz said if New Delhi is sincere, let it hold referendum in Kashmir. “Elections are no solution to the dispute. The successive regimes have only represented New Delhi in Kashmir. If any individual or organization will sincerely represent aspirations of Kashmiris in New Delhi, I will be the first to support them,” he said. “There are some black sheep who are hampering the movement. However, despite all the hindrances we pledge to continue our struggle till the dispute is resolved.” Mirwaiz said.
In his address, the Chairman of Hurriyat (G), Syed Ali Geelani, said UN and India is legally bound to implement the resolutions. Geelani said India’s first prime minister, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru also promised right to self-determination to Kashmiris.
“India is morally and legally bound to implement the UN resolutions. We will not let the sacrifices of martyrs go waste and will take the movement to its logical conclusion, but it is imperative people have to support us,” he said.
Geelani accused the National Conference of strengthening occupation of Kashmir. “Since 1947, NC has been implementing New Delhi’s anti-Kashmir policies. Its leadership has always stood to crush the people’s movements in Kashmir.”
Referring to good turnout in elections, Geelani accused New Delhi of cashing in on people’s weakness. “We’ve to accept that people voted for roads and jobs. But they had to adhere to our boycott call as elections were designed to suppress the movement. Now we have to forget the past and join hands to end the forcible occupation of India. We won’t let sacrifices of martyrs go futile,” he said.
Noted Columnist, Z G Muhammad, said unity among the pro-freedom parties is imperative for the movement. “There is division and conflict in our pro-freedom leadership. They seem to be suffering from defeatist mentality. History is testimony to the fact that movement for right of self-determination has been led by one party and leader.”
Elaborating, he referred to Mahatma Gandhi, Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Nelson Mandela. “These leaders led the freedom struggle of their respective countries and succeeded. We have to rise above our personal interests and choose our leader for steering the sacred cause,” he added.
Noted academician, Dr Hameeda Nayeem, criticized the pro-freedom leadership for aborting the June uprising. “The leadership suspended the June uprising when it was at its peak. Mirwaiz surrendered before vested interests in Hurriyat. Geelani who thinks he is infallible also damaged the movement by calling off the agitation. For settling personal scores, they can’t take the people for granted,” she said.
She suggested the pro-freedom leadership to strengthen their presence at grass root level. “You have to opt between concession and conviction. If you are sincere you have to live up to the aspirations of Kashmiris,” she said while addressing the pro-freedom leaders. President of High Court Bar Association, Mian Abdul Qayoom, dwelt on legal perspective of the UN resolutions. Among those present in the function included senior Hurriyat leaders Advocate Shahid-ul-Islam, Javid Ahmad Mir, Fazl-ul-Haq Qureshi and Shabir Dar.-SANA
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