Islamabad:(Parliament Times) Speakers at a seminar hosted by All Parties Hurriyat Conference Pakistan Chapter here on Thursday said that there was a striking resemblance between Kashmiris’ ongoing struggle against India’s illegal occupation and the 1931 Anti-Dogra movement that picked-up momentum after 22 Kashmiris laid down their lives to protect the Muslim Identity of the State.
The seminar held in connection with Kashmiri martyr’s day was presided over by the former APHC convener Mehmood Ahmed Saghar and addressed by the AJK Minister for youth, sports and culture Ch. Muhammad Saeed, Executive Director Kashmir Media Service Sheikh Tajamulul Islam, PTI leader Arif Abassi, Brigadier (Retd) Tippu Sultan, Manzoor-ul-Haq, JKLF leader Rafique Ahmed Dar, Muhammad Khan, Abdul Majeed Mir the acting convener of APHC and others, whereas the acting president of Azad Kashmir and speaker of legislative assembly Shah Ghulam Qadir was chief guest on the occasion.
Drawing parallels between the ongoing movement and that of 1931 the speakers observed that Kashmiris, prior to 1931, have been fighting for their Muslim Identity and even today their identity is under threat as Indian authorities were hectically engaged to convert Muslim majority state into minority by changing the demography complexion of the State. Citing the Silk factory workers agitation in 1924, ruthless killing of 10 labourers and submission of a memorandum to Indian viceroy about the plight of Kashmiri people, they said that Kashmiris were victimized and suppressed in such a way as if they were not humans.
While paying eulogizing tributes to Kashmiri martyrs the Acting president of Azad Kashmir Shah Ghulam Qadir said that, “Since 1931 there have been hundreds of 13-July-like incidents in Kashmir but what all these incidents shared in common is that every Kashmiri martyr braved bullets on their chestâ€. Referring to Indian Prime Minister Narendar Modi’s belligerent and hostile approach towards the minorities Shah Ghulam Qadir said that he was convinced that a new Pakistan will emerge out of India as a result of Modi government’s fanatic policy.
Referring to Pakistan’s foreign policy on Kashmir he said that there was no ambiguity whatsoever as every government, civilian or military, has been championing the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination both at national and international level. He said that the principle stance of the respective regimes on the subject remained unchanged however there was a difference in strategy and approach. Despite international community’s indifference towards the sufferings of Kashmiri people he said, “We must raise our voice at all available forums within and out side the countryâ€.
He said that AJK President Sardar Masood Ahmed Khan and Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan during there foreign visits have highlighted Kashmir cause at international level. “These foreign trips are not made just for the sake of merry-makingâ€, Shah said adding that like Hurriyat representatives the AJK leaders do visit foreign countries to sensitize international community about the resolution of Kashmir issue.
Speaking on the occasion, veteran Kashmiri intellectual Sheikh Tajamulul Islam, while referring to the historical realities, said that Alistair Lamb and others too had observed the fact that it was a matter of the identity of majority population that was being ruthlessly subjugated and suppressed by the rulers. He said that Kashmiris in Indian Held territory were facing identity crisis and onslaught at the hands of Indian troops. He was of the view that India was following the foot steps of Israel government to change the demography of the region. He said that 150 Hindu organizations had recently suggested the government of India to change demographics of the State in order to settle the issue once and for all. He said that even former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres has suggested the Indian government to change the demography of the disputed territory. He, however, observed that in presence of State Subject Law India can not change the demographic complexion of the state.
Speakers on the occasion, questioned the role of Azad Kashmir as a base camp saying that base camp of freedom movement of Kashmiris was not playing due role. Hurriyat leader Manzoor-ul-Haq Bhat said that the Base-camp has been turned into a race-camp for assuming power.
Mehmood Ahmed Saghar in his concluding remarks said that there was dire need that the incumbent democratic dispensation in Islamabad should adopt a comprehensive and coherent policy on Kashmir. He said that Kashmiris were fighting a battle of their identity, and it was high time that the government of AJK and Pakistan should fulfill their obligations thereby extending all out support to Kashmiris to take the ongoing struggle to its logical conclusion. Lauding the sacrifices of Kashmiri people he said no power on the face of Earth can now stop Kashmiris from achieving their cherished goal for which they have rendered matchless sacrifices.
The participants of the conference through a resolution condemned in strong terms the human rights violations and unprovoked cross LoC shelling by Indian troops. Regarding the killing of Yatris they said that it was a deep rooted conspiracy to malign Kashmiris’ freedom struggle.