Kashmir is a separate country, another Australian Govt website

Map showing Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh out of India map on Australian Govt website.

Map: Kashmir shown as disputed in another Govt website of Australia

Brussels: The website of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) of Australia has displayed the disputed state of Jammu and Kashmir as well as Arunachal Pradesh separated from an India map

According to Indian media, Australia admitted that the map was an "error" and said it will be removed from the website.

"The map was an error and is being removed from the website," an Australian High Commission spokesperson in New Delhi was quoted by Indian media.

A map of India on an Australian Government website has omitted the states of Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh triggering strong protests from the Indian community in the country.

Following the protests, Australia admitted that the map was an "error" and said it would be removed from the website.

"The map was an error and is being removed from the website," an Australian High Commission spokesperson in New Delhi said.
The Indian community in Australia had lodged strong protests with the Australian government over the incorrect map of India, posted on a government website in Australia which omitted the border states of JK and Arunachal Pradesh.

The website of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) of Australia had the "incorrect" map in its website.

The Council of Indian Australians Inc (CIA), an apex body representing the Indian Australian community in New South Wales, had asked the DIAC to correct the map on its website.

"The CIA Inc wishes to bring this (incorrect map) to the attention of the Government of Australia and urges the DIAC to rectify this incorrect map and display the revised map showing correct boundaries," a CIA statement said.

'No harm in talking about state’s trifurcation’ Interview With Prof. Abdul Ghani Bhat

All Parties Hurriyat Conference (M) member Abdul Ghani Bhat tells that Kashmiris should take the initiative for restarting peace parleys.

Why do you think that trifurcation is the natural solution?

We have been seeking settlement in the larger interests of the subcontinent. India and Pakistan have gone nuclear and Kashmir can constitute a flashpoint. I know it’s also an RSS plan, but as a settlement, trifurcation can be an alternative along with the UN mediator Sir Owen Dixon’s plan or General Pervez Musharraf’s four-point formula.

Isn’t it against the Hurriyat (Mirwaiz) stand?

I don’t want to get into the business of for and against. I belong to Hurriyat(M) and I know what it stands for. Even the Hurriyat talks about a negotiated settlement that involves not only dialogue but seeking alternatives too. There is no harm in talking about trifurcation as an alternative.

What about the UN resolutions that Syed Ali Shah Geelani believes are the only solution?

The UN resolutions offer a legal basis to the Kashmir dispute. I’m not interested in the legality of those resolutions as much as I’m in their implementation. Sixty-three years have gone by but not a single resolution was implemented because they need the approval of both India and Pakistan, which isn’t likely in the current circumstances. I don’t have any problem if the UN implements its resolutions but the issue is what next if the resolutions aren’t implemented.

New Delhi has been saying that borders won’t be redrawn.

Even as an alternative solution, Musharraf’s four-point formula too speaks about making borders irrelevant. We belong to a global village now. We are one. We can move together and that needs to be promoted. The concept of open market economy has introduced an element of interdependence into our collective economic lives. We need to address this issue in the larger interest of our togetherness.

Hurriyat member Moulana Abbas Ansari says this alternative is ‘unconstitutional’ and you must be reprimanded by Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq the way Ansari was punished for meeting the Centre’s interlocutors separately?

(Laughs) No comments.

You have suggested that Mirwaiz Umar should offer talks to India instead of India inviting Kashmiri leadership for talks.

We are the principal party to the dispute, that’s why we need to offer the olive branch and invite both countries for talks. They may accept or reject it.

Hurriyat (M) wants India to meet four conditions before the talks take place. Do you want to do away with them?

He hasn’t said anything about conditions. These are actually CBMs. As far as I’m concerned, talks shouldn’t go with conditions. Dialogue always takes place without conditions.

India and Pakistan couldn’t reach a settlement even on the Siachen dispute. Are you still optimistic?

Miracles won’t happen in a day. Both countries need to engage each other in talks. If they fail, they need to restart and talk again.

At one point, you had supported Kashmir’s accession to Pakistan? Why trifurcation now. Has your stance shifted?

This was the position the Jammu & Kashmir Muslim Conference had taken during the 1990s. What needs to be understood is we need to take stock of ground realities. Otherwise, we would be in trouble. If I’m given the choices of India and Pakistan, I will choose Pakistan. But it all depends on whether a plebiscite takes place. If not, then we will have to seize the day to secure a bright future. We can’t be bogged down by the past.

(First published in Tehelka)

Kashmir was never part of India: British MP George Galloway

LONDON - British parliamentarian George Galloway has said the Kashmiris simply want plebiscite which was promised to them by the UN and former prime minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru.

While addressing the seminar at the UN in Geneva “Defending the Democratic Processes”, the veteran campaigner on Kashmir said due to crime committed by the British empire the sufferings of the Kashmiris were greater than the Palestinians.

Some 80,000 had died in the more than 20 years freedom struggle, uncountable numbers had been wounded and maimed, Galloway said. Mass imprisonment and exile and even the use of rape as a tool of occupation had been the lot of the Kashmiris, he added. And yet, he said, the only demand of the occupied people of Kashmir was for the right to vote. The same right the West claims to support in the Arab spring for the Libyans and the Syrians, he said. Galloway hailed Indian author Arundhati Roy who was crying out for justice for the people of occupied Kashmir and said that Kashmir was never the part of India.

Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai, Kashmiri American Council Kashmir Center Executive Director, said the year of 2011 had proved one of the most dramatic periods in recent history. The citizens in a number of countries (Tunisia, Egypt and Yemen) had protested long-entrenched oppressive regimes and toppled them for restoring democracy.Fai said there were several situations where protest against long-standing occupation and oppression remained frustrated in spite of the rights inherent with the right to self-determination and the will of people as the basis of political power. A major case of this was the situation in Kashmir, where the citizenry protested peacefully against the occupying Indian forces to no avail, in spite of UN Security Council resolutions giving them the right to a plebiscite under UN auspices.

Dr Fai quoted President Obama who said in the Indian Parliament on November 10, 2010, that India should not shy away from taking a hard position on human rights violations in Myanmar. But unfortunately, Obama did shy away from taking a hard position on human rights violations in Kashmir, despite the fact the United States was the principle sponsor of the resolution which was adopted by the United Nations Security Council on April 21, 1948. This resolution clearly states that the future of Kashmir must be ascertained in accordance with the wishes and the will of the people.

 Dr Fai said on one hand the world powers denounced Iraq’s occupation of Kuwait as it was against the norms and the principles of international relations. But they were silent over the occupation of Kashmir by India which was a share violation of international norms and United Nations Security Council resolutions. Dr Karen Parker, IED delegate to the United Nations, said the United Nations had determined many years ago that the Kashmiri people had the right to self-determination and also set up a plan for materialising the same. The Kashmir situation continued to haunt the world powers, especially when India and Pakistan had been declared nuclear powers. The Kashmiri people continue to suffer from serious human rights and humanitarian laws violations in the course of India’s military actions against them, he added. Parker said review of the current situation of the Kashmiri peoples’ right to self-determination showed it had been reduced to political rhetoric or was even absent from discussions. However, ignoring the right could not annul it. Altaf Wani, Representative of the All Parties Hurriyet Conference, said the practice of self-determination usually requires a democratic process to determine the choice of a people when exercising that right.

‘‘One Million Signature Campaign’’ on Kashmir in Birmingham, a large number participate

‘‘One Million Signature Campaign’’ on Kashmir which was launched in England on Friday reached in Birmingham.

In the collaboration with the like-minded civil society organizations, human rights forums and leading intellectuals, the Kashmir Council EU is organizing the campaign in UK. Before Birmingham, the first camp of was setup in front of parliament in London on Friday. A large number of the people from different walks of life attended the camp to sign in favour of oppressed people of Kashmir.

Famous figures including Lord Nazir Ahmad, Chairman Kashmir American Council Dr.Ghulam Nabi Fai, Chief of World Kashmir Freedom Movement Nazir Qureshi and President Tehrike Kashmir UK Mohammad Ghalib attended the signature campaign in Birmingham. Two more camps are being setup in Manchester and Bradford in next two respective days. MEP Sajjad Karim would host reception in honour of the campaign’s team in Manchester. A seminar on Kashmir was also held on the occasion in Birmingham. Lord Nazir, Dr.Fai, Ali Raza Syed, Nazir Qureshi and Mohammad Ghalim addressed the seminar. The speakers emphasized on maximum support for the ‘One Million Signature Campaign’.

Talking on the occasion, Chairman Kashmir Council EU Ali Raza Syed said, the objective of the campaign in different cities of UK to obtain maximum support of different sections of the society. The campaign is an effort to achieve the gigantic target of one million signatures on the Kashmir Declaration of Freedom and Peace, which calls for the immediate end of all the human rights violations of the people of Kashmir, and their right to self determination, as demanded by the United Nations and many other international human rights organizations and forums

Source : The Nation

Dear Shaheed Tufail Ahmed Mattoo by Lonesome Kashmiri

Dear Shaheed Tufail Mattoo,


Assalamu Alikum,

I hope you are enjoying the company of angels in heaven. We are still suffering the humiliation under Indian rule. But don't worry we have not given up and will continue the struggle no matter what comes in future Inshallah. After you left us things have become even more difficult for us. You must know that after you left us, more than 100 brothers and three sisters joined you there as well. Did you meet Shaheed Afroza Teli from Khrew? You must have met the sister from Kreeri who died after struggling with an excruciating injury she suffered when she was protesting your death? How about Sameer.. Is he doing well ? Tell him entire Kashmir mourns his tragic departure from earth. Brother after you left we have been in mourning ever since. We miss you very much, Do you miss us? The company of angels must be too comforting for you.. You must have forgotten us by now. Your parents are still holding on the coin that was in your palm. They still have your study desk like it was when you left it. Did you know that your father is one of the bravest man I have ever seen in my life ? He is a pillar of strength and devotion. I know each day and each moment he remembers the times you spent together, Deep in his heart he is so proud of you.


Dear Tufail the barbarians split your head with a teargas shell. They kicked your body and left you lying there in blood and dust. Ah they did not even see the tender age or the exuberant youth. They acted like animals and venomous creatures. The skies cried when they saw you fall, The earth averted its gaze. Angels were shocked to see a display of extreme cruelty . Whole of Kashmir went numb and then erupted at the injustice. Dear Brother you do not need me to tell you that you were not the first to face such atrocity nor were you to be the last. We lost many more after your departure and still no end in sight. You started a revolution which lasted for almost six months. Very long period if you consider the Kashmiri psyche and persistence levels. I am ashamed to tell you that till now we have not been able to avenge any of the deaths. I am also ashamed to tell you that we participated in another election with great enthusiasm and fervor. I am sorry but you know how we Kashmiris are by nature. Your killers are still roaming free, they are still the same rapacious and barbarians. Believe me compared to us you are very lucky. You have Heaven assured for you while as we live in hell every single day.


Take pride in the fact that on the day of Judgment you will rise with Syedu Shuhda Hazrate Hamzah (RA). Take pride in the fact that you were instrumental for assuring Jannat for 118 more. Take pride in the fact that you family loved and still love you. Take pride in the fact that your death will bring the Law of Allah in Kashmir Inshallah. Take pride in the fact that your sacrifice will bring peace and tranquility in Kashmir Inshallah. Take Pride in the fact that your sacrifice will make our sisters feel secure and safe Inshallah.


Every Kashmiri eye is moist for you. Every heart aches for you.


Take care and pray for the Muslim Ummah, you are closer to Allah (JS) and he will not deny you I am sure.


Allah Hafiz,


Lonesome Kashmiri.


p.s: See you soon Inshallah.

This day, that year: 11 June 11 photos (Photo Feature)

A pictorial depiction of Srinagar's old city on June 11, 2010, the day Tufail Mattoo was killed.

Shaheed Tufail Ahmed Matto lying in the pool of blood

Protests intensified after news of Tufail's killing spread in the Old City.

A youth snatches gun of a policeman near Rajouri Kadal.

A protester hurls a stone near Bohri Kadal

A protester and a policeman throw stones at each other during a protest in the vicinity of Jamia Masjid.

Clashes were witnessed between protesters and government forces soon after the congregational Friday prayers ended

People pray during Friday prayers inside 500-year-old Jamia Masjid

A boy arrives at Jamia Masjid for Friday prayers.

Protesters hurl stones at Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers during a protest in Old City.

A girl leans against a pillar during Friday prayers inside 500-year-old Jamia Masjid in Srinagar.

Tear gas billows during clashes between demonstrators and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers near Rajouri Kadal.