Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Kashmiris living on both sides of Line of Control (LOC) as well as elsewhere in the world observed Accession Day this month with a renewed pledge and commitment by rekindling their valiant struggle against Indian occupational forces in line with the resolution, which was adopted by their forefathers on July 19, 1947.

The struggle for the right to self-determination has recently achieved an impetus with the killing of 21-year-old martyred Burhan Wani, who represents a beacon of new-age struggle in occupied Kashmir.

For Kashmiris, Wani held the emblem of resistance and symbolised the defiance of India and the combating of its “constant violations” in held Kashmir. His killing has become the release valve for a more deep-seated and grave resentment.

The killing of innocent Kashmiris had become a daily routine and atrocities are increased many fold in the held valley in recent past. Indian Express wrote recently: “The state of Jammu and Kashmir, as it existed on August 14, 1947, is a disputed territory, recognised as such by the United Nations. India and Pakistan are the two other parties to the dispute.

The main stakeholders, however, are the people of this land. They have, as yet, not been granted their right to determine their political will. It is for this right that over one lakh Kashmiris have laid down their lives. The baton of freedom has passed on to the fifth generation.”

There are those who call these young idealists, “terrorists”. I want to ask them in which terrorist’s funeral will you witness the participation of hundreds and thousands of men, women and children who have defied restrictions and risked losing their lives to bullets.

What do you say about the sentiment that makes our youth so daring that they pelt stones even when they know that they will face bullets in retaliation; they know that they will be killed and yet they keep fighting. I ask the people of India to wake up to the reality of Kashmir and understand that the issue needs to be resolved. The longing for freedom in held Kashmir will not die its own death, as some would want the people of India to believe.

This year the day was observed at a time when Kashmir were in the grip of violence following the killing of prominent Kashmiri leader Bhurhan Wani in a police `encounter’ onJune 8.

Kashmir issue has also become a flash point for the international community. Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq has warned that India is highly mistaken if it thinks the voice of Kashmiris can be suppressed through brutal use of force.

He said India should realize that anger and hatred being displayed by Kashmiris is the outcome of the military approach being adopted by the Indian Government to resolve the dispute. Mirwaiz said Pakistan also took several initiatives for dialogue and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also visited New Delhi but India responded by suspending the dialogue process.

He said that India is also trying to undermine Islamic identity of Occupied Kashmir by establishing separate townships for Pundits and brining non-state residents to the Valley. He further added thatIndia is also bringing its hand-picked Imams to Kashmir for launching propaganda campaign in favour of Indian Government.

Kashmiris want India to withdraw its forces from the occupied territory and allow the people to decide their own destiny in accordance with the resolutions of United Nations (UN) but India has been denying them this right.

The world powers must impress upon the government of India to stop human rights violations in Kashmir.

The international community, especially United Nations, and global human rights organizations were also asked to take cognizance of the situation in occupied Kashmir and stop repeated naked aggression, barbarism and ruthless firing by Indian forces on peaceful rallies of Kashmiris protesting against the recent martyrdom of the young Kashmiri freedom fighter, Burhan Muzaffar Wani, and two of his associates in occupied valley.

Kashmiris observed the accession day to commemorate the historic resolution adopted from the platform of All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference in Srinagar in 1947, demanding Kashmir’s accession to Pakistan in accordance with the partition plan and two-nation theory.

The daylong programmes started with special prayers for the solidarity, unity and prosperity of the country as well as for the early liberation of occupied valley in various mosques of the district. The resolution reflected the aspirations of the majority of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to protect their religious, economic and political rights.

Private organizations arranged seminars, conferences, rallies, and discussion programmes in connection with the day and condemn Indian forces’ brutalities in occupied Kashmir to raise the voice of innocent Kashmiris who are fighting for their rights.

This year, All Parties Hurriyet organized a conference titled `Bleeding Kashmir; Call for Attention’ in a unanimous resolution condemned the killings of innocent Kashmiri people in occupied Kashmir by Indian forces and urged the government to call a joint session of the Parliament to covey a strong message to the international community that “Pakistan stands with Kashmiris in their just cause”.