Photo Feature: Children being humiliated publicly before their release by occupational forces

Sixteen Minors who were detained by occupational forces being humiliated publicly before their release

Mirwaiz In Response To The Queries From Aalaw & Frontline | Kashmir

Urging people to repose trust in the separatist leadership, Hurriyat (M) chairman, Mirwaiz Umar

Farooq Friday responded to a host of serious questions raised by a facebook community on the role of Hurriyat in the dialogue process and other issues.

‘Aalaw’, the facebook community with more than 8000 followers, had written an open letter to Mirwaiz asking him to clarify his party’s stand on some of the crucial policy issues. Replying to the queries, Mirwaiz told Rising Kashmir that people have the right to question the separatist leadership, but at the same “they should trust us”.

About the talks with New Delhi, he said the real dialogue process virtually stopped in 2006. “We had a dialogue process with New Delhi and we proposed many things but not even a single proposal was accepted by the Indian authorities. So our stand is clear now, no dialogue until the proposed things are not implemented on ground.”

The Hurriyat (M) chief said his party will never consider the back channel negotiations as a dialogue process “until and unless India doesn’t agree to what we feel is important for improving ground situation for a meaningful and result oriented dialogue process that would ultimately lead us to amicable resolution of this long pending issue.”

One of the questions posed by ‘Aalaw’ to Mirwaiz was about his participation in a lunch programme attended by interlocutor, Radha Kumar, some mainstream politicians, a former Ikhwani (government gunman) and a PDP agent.

“We live in a society where we have friends and sometimes it becomes obligatory for us to participate in functions organized by them,” said Mirwaiz.

‘Aalaw’ had brought to fore Mirwaiz’s participation in the said function organized by a local editor at Manasbal.

“A friend of mine invited me for a lunch and it was a mere coincidence that the interlocutor and other pro-India politicians were also present there. It was just a social gathering and no conversation took place. I had no idea who others were invited.”

Miwiaz further said his participation in the function shouldn’t be taken as something that will harm the Kashmir cause.

“Our faith is not so weak that it will be shaken by mere participation in the social gatherings. People have the right to question, but they should trust us. Being at a place where the objectionable people are also present doesn’t mean that we have run away from our stand. People should trust us and we will uphold that trust at all costs.”

In response to the query as to why despite being a chief cleric, he was opposed to an idea of “Islamic State” for Jammu and Kashmir, Mirwaiz said in the present geo-political scenario such demand will weaken the Kashmir issue at the international level.

“I am not against the idea of an Islamic state. What our party believes is that Kashmir is a political issue and until and unless apolitical resolution doesn’t evolve, we have to take the struggle as it is. Once the people of the state are given the right to decide their future, they have the will to choose the destiny for the state.”

“At present we have to portray it as a political issue and have to take along all other communities. If we give it a religious overtone, the support at the international level will not be there for us. We don’t have to portray that our struggle is Muslim Kashmiris against the Hindu India. I don’t deny that the evolution of this issue is a result of Muslim Pakistan versus Hindu India but the times have changed.”

One of the questions posed by ‘Aalaw’ was about the role of Hurriyat (M) in helping the orphans, the widows and those who are languishing in different jails across India.

Mirwaiz acknowledged that his party has not done much for those who have suffered during the 20 years of turmoil.

“We do what we could with our available resources but I must acknowledge that it is not enough. We have a cell Dar-ul Khairat and we do help people who are in need but it is not that big.” He said Hurriyat (M) has not gone for any massive fund raising exercise keeping in view how much people have suffered economically during the past three years.

“But collectively, the society and leadership can do what will be more effective in helping those who are in real need. The community must help us so that those who have sacrificed for the freedom struggle should not suffer.”

Mirwaiz said his party provides legal aid to the prisoners. “But that is also not upto the level that we could help all. We try to help those who are lodged here but sometimes people don’t come to us and moreover, the lawyers outside the valley demand huge money to fight cases of our people. We are not able to help them. Our help to them is also limited.”

How India alienated Kashmiri people

BY: AIJAZ ZAKA SYED

An unjust law is no law, warned Martin Luther King, the celebrated U.S. human rights icon. The Kashmiris have been living with suchlaws for decades. At least one in every five Kashmiris has at some point or another in his/her life suffered violence, humiliation, torture and old-fashioned abuse at the hands of security forces without any recourse to justice or a distant promise of retribution

Is it any wonder then the Kashmiris today find themselves hopelessly alienated and persecuted even as our politicians never tire of pronouncing the state an “integral and inseparable” part of India?.

The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act has been a license to abuse, torture and kill the Kashmiris in their own land. A law that confers “special powers” on men in uniform to do as they please and get away with it; a law that the UN says violates “contemporary international human rights standards” and a law that cannot be challenged in any court of law no matter how grave the crime.

Following the division of the subcontinent in 1947 when India and Pakistan actively courted the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, it was promised a “special status” and special treatment by New Delhi. The Article 370 of Indian Constitution was supposed to protect that “special status” of Kashmir. We made a lot of other promises as well that are too familiar to revisit here.

And we have ensured and protected that “special status” of Kashmir by gifting them the AFSPA that offers sweeping powers to the security forces while ensuring their total immunity. This special law has turned the Vale of Kashmir that the Moguls believed was paradise on earth into a beautiful hell.

How did we end up here? Who lost the paradise? The answer is out there and everyone knows it. In our desperation and determination to keep Kashmir with us and away from our neighbor, we have ended up losing the Kashmiri people.

Of course, the role played by Pakistani agencies, not to mention groups such as the one led by Hafiz Saeed, who have made a business enterprise of jihad, in adding to the woes of Kashmiris isn’t in anyway insignificant.

But if an entire generation of Kashmiris has grown up loathing all things Indian it is because of the excessive presence of the security forces in the Valley and their heavy-handed approach to the local population. And if there is one thing that epitomizes all that has go

ne wrong with India’s Kashmir affair, it is the AFSPA. This black law has created a dangerous, ever deepening disconnect and gulf between the Kashmiris and the rest of India. A draconian law that belongs in a police state, not in the world’s largest democracy.

Thanks to these “special powers”, just about anybody could be picked up from anywhere any time, kicked, abused, raped, killed in broad daylight or simply disappeared and no one including the state government can do anything about it.

Security forces are a law unto themselves. And you see their power in full display all across the state including in capital Srinagar. There are more soldiers than tourists or even locals constantly reminding the Kashmiris of the original sin of being born in this land of incredible beauty. Peaceful protests last year saw scores of young people, some of them as young as nine, felled by the bullets of the forces that are supposed to protect them. In the course of fighting terrorists and cross-border infiltrators, we have turned this beautiful land into a permanent war zone and its proud people a hostage in this never-ending conflict with the neighbor. This war has claimed more than a hundred thousand Kashmiris over the past two decades, not to mention the tens of thousands who have gone “missing.”
If the 2,730 unmarked mass graves recently discovered across the state had been found elsewhere they could have shaken the world, as they did in Srebrenica, in Iraq and Rwanda. But they were met with stony silence in the ever-shrill Indian media and its self-righteous Western counterparts.

Human rights groups including the State Human Rights Commission that finally acted on the complaints of thousands of families of “disappeared persons” unearthing graves with hundreds of bullet riddled bodies fear this may be a tip of the iceberg. The dead in Kashmir have finally begun to speak up, as Arundhati Roy so evocatively puts it. But justice may still elude the victims as long as the AFSPA reigns in Jammu and Kashmir. And India’s powerful security and defense establishment, including the army, are determined to retain it. And why wouldn’t they? It’s this law that allows the security forces to rule and treat Kashmir as their fiefdom without anyone, including the elected government, questioning their authority and excesses. Despite being a fine and vibrant democracy with robust democratic institutions and judiciary that we can justifiably be proud of, we are yet to realize that no people can be governed at gunpoint. Not in this age and time. Not with black laws like the AFSPA and not by constantly waving half a million guns that have contributed to the alienation of Kashmiri society and radicalization of its youth. If India is to win Kashmiri hearts and minds, it could do so only with love, compassion, respect and justice.

(The writer is a Middle East-based commentator. This article first appeared in Arab News on Nov. 3, 2011.)

Turabi urges Pak to review decision of declaring India as favourable country

Amir-e-Jamaat-Islami (JI) Azad Jammu and Kashmir Abdur Rasheed Turabi has said trade with India should not be done at the cost of Kashmir cause. Declaring India as the most favoured nation for trade is not only against Pakistan’s national interests but also is mocking Kashmiris’ sacrifices for obtaining their right to self-determination

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Commenting on Pakistan granting India the Most Favoured Nation status, Abdul Rashid Turabi addressing a public meeting here said granting the most favoured nation status to India for trade by Pakistani government is a matter of great concern for Kashmiri people. He said trade with India should not be carried out unless and until India resolves the longstanding issue of Kashmir peacefully and in accordance with Kashmiris’ aspirations.

Highlighting the situation of Indian Occupied Kashmir, he said the Indian forces have intensified human rights violations in Kashmir. Kashmiris are being killed while rape is used as a weapon of war by Indian forces. Pakistan was a counsel for the Kashmiri people; therefore, it is the responsibility of all Pakistanis to highlight the Kashmir issue at all international forums.

He also urged the Pakistan government, instead of declaring India as the most favoured nation, to highlight the Kashmir issue and the Indian state terrorism unleashed in the Occupied Kashmir at all international forums. He said that the decision was tantamount to rubbing salt on the bleeding wounds of Kashmiri people and a historic blunder. Kashmiri people have rendered tremendous sacrifice during years-long struggle to achieve globally recognised right to self-determination.

He said it is totally unintelligible and inconceivable decision on the part of Government of Pakistan to declare India as the most favoured nation as it is involved in clear violations of international norms of justice and massive human rights violations in Kashmir. The decision would have far-reaching consequences for Kashmiris’ peaceful struggle.

He said the Government of Pakistan should review and revisit its decision keeping in view the prevailing political and human rights situation in Kashmir and devise a policy thereby taking the aspirations and apprehensions of the people of Kashmir into consideration. He called for national unity and diplomatic campaign at international level to highlight the Indian aggression against Pakistan.

AFSPA Revocation - Army recaps opposition

We'll be handicapped : Parnaik

Amidst raging debate over Omar Abdullah government's intention to revoke Armed Forces Special Powers Act from parts of the state, Army on Thursday made its case clear saying any such move will handicap the capability of the force to conduct counter insurgency operations.

"We have a situation which has now carried on for more than 20 years and the Army requires the provisions to enable it to act... Without the provisions, the Army will be handicapped," General Officer Commanding in Chief for Northern Command Lt Gen K T Parnaik told reporters.

The Army commander, who visited this village - located on the Line of Control - in north Kashmir's Kupwara district, said removing the AFSPA from certain areas of the state will make it difficult for the Army to operate.

"It is a question of the confidence and trust that you repose in your Army. If you are removing the Act from certain areas then it will become difficult for the Army to operate in the manner we operate now," he said.

Debate over the partial revocation of AFSPA and Disturbed Areas Act, introduced in 1990 to give the Army and paramilitary forces powers to detain suspects and use deadly force began last month when Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced that Acts will be revoked from parts of the state "within few days".

Lt Gen Parnaik, who was accompanied by General Officer Commanding of Srinagar based 15 Corps Lt Gen S A Hasnain, termed AFSPA as an "enabling" Act and said it was not a draconian law.

"The fact is that partial revocation from the areas may be seen as a genuine thing because there seems to be peace here. But peace is very fragile," he said. "After all we have seen one of the most peaceful summers in 2011 and that has happened with AFSPA only," he said.

He said if AFSPA is revoked from certain areas, "terrorists and inimical elements" will exploit the situation. "We don't want that to happen," he said.

Linking the revocation of AFSPA with the dismantling of the militant infrastructure across the border, Lt Gen Parnaik said it is not the "correct time" to remove the law till there is interference from Pakistan.

"We are not looking only at a few places or counter- terrorist operations or peace in few areas. It (AFSPA) has to be seen in context of the entire proxy war which is going on. The proxy war in J-K is externally abetted by Pakistan," he said.

"Therefore, we feel that unless we are able to neutralize that infrastructure and unless we are able to remove interference from Pakistan, it may not be the correct time for us to think of revoking it partially," he said.

The commander said Army was not on a confrontational path with any one and pleaded that there should be more discussions before taking a final call.

"There is no confrontation with anyone and these issues need a lot of discussions and deliberations. We have made our stance clear to the state government. I have had discussions with the high powered committee which came here for review recently and we continue to have dialogue with them," Lt Gen Parnaik said.

He said the chief minister had asked the Army to give its recommendations earlier this year.

"On our part, we have sensitised them on the manner in which it will affect our operations," he said.

"We have to see whether the AFSPA's revocation is a matter of security or political dispensation. It will all happen after discussions with the people who are concerned," he said.

Open letter to Umar Farooq

Dear Brother in Islam, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq,

Assalamu Alikum,

Let me start by narrating an incident from the archives of Islamic History. The incident was the occurrence of Jung-e-Jamal (War of the Camel).

On one side was Assadullah Hazrate Ali bin Abdul Muttalib (Cousin and Son-in-Law of Muhammad (SAW) and on the other side was Ummul Momineen Hazrate Ayesha Saddiqah (RA). These were two people dearest to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and hence they are dearest to us as well because they both belonged to Family of Muhammad (SAW). The Battle of Camel happened due to a myriad of reasons and nobody can claim that he can judge the cause and the conclusion. Despite being on opposed sides, despite raising weapons against each other- these two still are the only few lucky ones who got the news of being Jannati while alive. This was an honor reserved for the very few of Prophet’s companions. The reason to bring up this incident is that Islam has seen turbulent times in the past, is seeing harsh times and only Allah (JS) knows when the seas will be calm for Muslims. But despite that the one thing that has always allowed Islam to flourish and prosper is that nowhere did Muslims give up the concept of Ikhwatul Islam, fair Justice and truth.

We are writing to you in a hope that at this critical juncture when we are facing enemies on all sides, you will be the guiding light for us. We are writing to you in a hope that you will take our hand and lead us to victory. We are writing with the tears, hopes and prayers of innocents butchered in the valley of Kashmir for you and me. We are writing to you in a hope that eventually all of us need to take a step backward to realize that we all stand for the freedom of Kashmir. We are writing to you in a hope that you being a direct victim of Indian atrocity know how it feels like to be an orphan and an oppressed.

Justice is being denied to us, jails are being filled with us, and even the water that we drink is soaked in the blood of our beloved Martyrs. The consistent and persistent conspiracy hatched by Indian agencies to dilute the demography of Kashmir Valley is not only alarming but it is a real threat to our survival. The Christian missionaries are luring our innocent children to abandon their faith for mere pennies and the foreign laborers are being settled in Kashmir without any hesitation. In this critical phase of our journey towards freedom, do we want to be remembered as “Once upon a time there were some Muslims living in Kashmir” or do we want to face the challenge head on. We don’t have the luxury of being complacent or lazy. We don’t have the time to go back in time and wish things were different. We don’t have the energy to start a new revolution. The last 20 years of Kashmir have been bloody, brutal and unforgiving, but we can’t get bogged down with fatigue and say we are tired. Surrendering or abandoning the struggle of freedom movement is not an option simply because our existence is attached to it.

Dear Brother, We come to the not so pleasant part of our letter to you. These questions might be uncomfortable and you are absolutely not obliged to respond. But it will go a long way in clarifying the doubts, the reservations and the misunderstandings. We also understand that we have a right to ask these questions because you are the face of the revolution and the face of our freedom struggle. Hence we need to know if we are following the right person or if it is just an illusion. There is no room for diplomacy or ‘back channel dialogue’ because all we need is for you to state your position on where you stand. The below questions are just the ones that need immediate attention and by no means is it a complete list of queries that we have.

1. By virtue of being Mirwaiz of Kashmir, how is it possible that you do not wish for an Islamic state in Kashmir. Being a well read person and an intellectual, you must know that secularism, and communism, capitalism, socialism, liberalism, fundamentalism and all other ‘isms’ are incompatible with Islam. Having said that minorities in Islam are treated with highest respect, honor and justice as can be seen from the pages of Islamic History. Prophet Muhammad (SAW)’ time, When Muslims ruled in Europe and when Muslims ruled in India – there was absolutely not a single incident of any genocide of minorities.
2. The leadership issue of Kashmir freedom struggle needs nobody to explain how messed up it is, to clean up this mess what Is stopping you from joining hands with Syed Ali Shah Geelani. All Syed Ali Shah Geelani is asking you that the alliance of pro-freedom parties can exist when all demand an Islamic state. Being an Islamic cleric, I don’t think you should have any hesitation of doing so.
3. You silence on the conversion issue in Kashmir is being seen as a tacit understanding and acceptance on your part. We want to know why you did not condemn or raise your voice against this menace.
4. You silence on Indian agencies conspiracy of settling down the foreigners from India in Kashmir also does not go very well. We want to know why you maintained silence on this sensitive issue.
5. You have had several dialogues with Indian government over several years. Are you ready to make the details of those meetings public? This is essential because you represent the sisters who were raped, the brothers who were killed and the mothers who are worn out trying to locate their sons. You are representing the pious blood of our martyrs and we need to know If that is no being sold in Khan Market, Delhi.
6. You know the condition of orphans in Kashmir. The heartbreaking condition of widows of the martyrs. The misery of those who are indefinitely suffering in Indian jails is also not hidden from any one. What are the steps taken by you as leader to ease their condition?
7. Recently you had lunch with one of the interlocutors from India “Radha Kumar”, also present was one of the most well known criminal and some PDP agents. Radha Kumar and her ilk are nothing but a diversion. They are back stabbers who enjoy tormenting the Kashmiri Muslims. There was a renegade gunman in that lunch, these are the same people who participate in the mass rapes of Kashmiri women, who enjoy spilling the blood of our brothers and who play with our honor. How can you justify sitting on the same table with them.
8. Please tell the oppressed people of Kashmir that they are in good hands, that we are not being led astray and that we are following Sirat-ul-Mustaqeem.

Instead of being five fingers of a hand, let us make it a fist. Instead of being vulnerable let us turn our vulnerability into our greatest strengths. Your answers to the above queries will undoubtedly go a long way in pacifying the people of Kashmir whom you claim to represent. On your shoulders is the biggest responsibility which comes once in a lifetime, are you strong enough to carry it.

Yours Sincerely,

Team Aalaw and Frontline | Kashmir