Society

The recent surge in the Freedom Movement of Kashmiris and the role of Pakistan

Manzoor Butt

Correspondence: Dr Manzoor Butt Pakistan Email: [email protected]

partition in 1947. Both the countries have fought Background of Kashmir: three wars over Kashmir (1948, 1965 and Kargil war). The Disputed Territory The term Line of Control (LOC) refers to the mili- tary control line between the Indian and Pakistani In the early 1930s, the Muslims of United controlled parts of the former princely state of decided to get separated from the Hindu Majority Kashmir and Jammu-a line which, to this day, does to establish a new Muslim majority country. The not constitute a legally recognized international Pakistan Declaration of 1933 had envisioned the boundary but is the de facto border. princely state of Jammu and Kashmir as one of the Pakistan and India have organized several bilateral “five Northern units of India” that were to form the talks on Kashmir which always ended in failure new nation of Pakistan, on the basis of its Muslim due to the Indian stance that Kashmir is an inte- majority. Pakistan still claims the whole of Kashmir gral part of India. This is absolutely wrong as both as its own territory, including Indian-controlled countries fought three overt and many hidden Kashmir. wars on this dispute. Moreover, it was India who took this dispute to UN Security Council. It is still The Kashmir issue always arouses strong feelings on the UN Security Council’s agenda. There was a not just among the ordinary people residing on United Nations Security Council Resolution 47 (in both sides of the border, but also among armies 1948) on the region saying there needed to be a and political leaders of both countries. The issue plebiscite as to whether Kashmiris wanted to be primarily rose just after the India-Pakistan part of India or Pakistan.

Recent Surge in Freedom Movement absence of a political dialogue between India and Pakistan on the Kashmir issue, excessive militarisation of the public space The freedom movement initially started by elders and now led and repeated human rights violations by the security forces primarily by the youth of Kashmir is absolutely indigenous. The (mass rape, murders and torture). Indian army calls the protesters militants but they call them- selves Freedom Fighters. There is a rise in it after every four to The fresh clashes however, began some three months before five years. Kashmir movement is absolutely an indigenous ef- when a Youth Leader (India calls him Militant) Burhan Wani fort from Kashmiris. Pakistan only supports them morally, po- was brutally killed by the Indian Army. His brother was also litically and diplomatically. Pakistan supports all the political killed by the Army in April, 2015. Burhan Wani was a command- leaders in Kashmir openly. They are invited in Pakistan High er of the Kashmir-based Hizbul Mujahideen. He was popular Commission in India in almost all celebrations. among the Kashmiris due to his activity on social media and had issued many photos and videos on social media against The Hindu population in Srinagar is just 1%. Despite the fact Indian rule in Kashmir. He was killed in an encounter with the the Indians are involved in mass rape, torture and killing of in- Indian security forces on 8 July 2016. Widespread protests nocent Muslims, Kashmiris have never ever harmed or killed have erupted in the Kashmir valley since his death, in which the Hindu population in Srinagar in response. more than 100 people have died while over 7,000 civilians and more than 4,000 security personnel have been injured. The In the recent years, reported growth in radicalisation and violence which erupted after his death has been described as home-grown militancy has been observed in the Kashmiri the worst unrest in the region since the 2010 Kashmir unrest, population. This trend has been due to numerous reasons with Kashmir being placed under 80 consecutive days of cur- incorporating the frustration among the population due to fews imposed by Indian authorities. lack of employment opportunities, economic downfall, the

MIDDLE EAST JOURNAL OF BUSINESS - VOLUME 11, ISSUE 4 OCTOBER 2016 MIDDLE EAST JOURNAL OF Business • VOLUME 4, ISSUE 1 43 Society

The recent series of violent protests that arose in the Muslim- them to help these victims but the offer was not accepted. In- majority Kashmir Valley in the state of Jammu and Kashmir as dia is putting all blame on Pakistan and is stating that Paki- a result of killing of Burhan Wani are therefore also known as stani Militants are responsible for this crisis. Burhan Aftermath. However, it is questionable how these terrorists entered Kash- Furthermore, this unrest in Kashmir resulted due to the re- mir where 700,000 Indian Army is present. If not protecting sponse of youth of Kashmir who have started armed struggle the land against terrorist intrusion, then what is the army do- against Indian forces. This struggle is a result of mass raping of ing there? This army is extremely busy in raping, and torturing women and torturing and killing of unarmed civilians by the innocent children, elders and women.

army. What is the Solution? Indian army and paramilitary forces are using pellet guns, India and Pakistan both are nuclear states. Kashmir dispute stone guns, assault rifles, tear gas shells and rubber bullets on cannot be resolved with war because such war would end in unarmed Kashmiri protestors who want plebiscite on this dis- total destruction in major parts of both countries. The only pute. The violence and torture of the Indian army is not only solution is bilateral negotiations between India and Pakistan limited to human beings they recently killed 13 horses in Frisal with the consent of Kashmiris on both sides of the LOC. Let area of South Kashmir’s district. Indian Army vehicles the Kashmiris living on both side of LOC decide on one of the deliberately mowed down these innocent horses. Though In- three following options: dia is denying it but it can be seen in the pictures. 1. Do they want to have independent Kashmir? What’s more, India had not allowed foreign media to observe the situation. Mobile internet services were also suspended in 2. Do they want to be a part of Pakistan? Kashmir as well as in Jammu region and the Jammu and Kash- 3. Do they want to be a part of India? mir government imposed a press emergency. Cable television was also shut off, ostensibly to stop Pakistani channels from Only Kashmiris have the right to decide about their future. being broadcasted. Many foreign NGOs including Doctors Without Borders have asked the government of India to allow

Pictorial Coverage

MIDDLE EAST JOURNAL OF BUSINESS - VOLUME 11, ISSUE 4 OCTOBER 2016 44 MIDDLE EAST JOURNAL OF Business • VOLUME 4, ISSUE 1 Society

MIDDLE EAST JOURNAL OF BUSINESS - VOLUME 11, ISSUE 4 OCTOBER 2016 MIDDLE EAST JOURNAL OF Business • VOLUME 4, ISSUE 1 45 Society

MIDDLE EAST JOURNAL OF BUSINESS - VOLUME 11, ISSUE 4 OCTOBER 2016 46 MIDDLE EAST JOURNAL OF Business • VOLUME 4, ISSUE 1