Salman distorting historical facts: Separatists

YUSRA HUSSAIN. Dated: 6/30/2013 11:27:53 AM

SRINAGAR, June 29: Strongly reacting to the statement of foreign minister Salman Khurshid that Kashmir is an internal problem of India, senior separatist leaders have accused him of trying to distort history.
Syed Ali Shah Geelani, chairman Hurriyat Conference (G), had described Salman’s statement as unrealistic and against the historical perspective. “Kashmir is neither crown of India nor is it the internal matter of India. Kashmir is a disputed territory with uncertain political situation. Its disputed status has been acknowledged by international community and Indian and Pakistani government,” he said.
The Hurriyat (G) chairman alleged that India “has occupied Kashmir with its military might and such an occupation has no constitutional, legal or moral justification.” “If government of India is really ashamed of Kunanposh Pora incident then the army officers and other personnel involved be declared war criminals and cases registered against them. Such incidents should be probed by some impartial forum,” he said.
Geelani stated that Salman is unnecessarily interfering in Kashmir issue and his interference is meaningless. “Pakistan is as much a party to Kashmir issue as India. One part of J&K is occupied by India while the other part is controlled by Pakistan. So whenever solution for the issue is discussed, Pakistan cannot be ignored at any cost. Pakistan has more right over talking about Kashmir issue than India since it supports the right of self-determination of Kashmiris and is ready for a referendum for solving this issue,” he said.
The Hurriyat (G) chairman stated that if Kashmir was an internal issue of India then there would not have been 18 resolutions in UN over it, the UN observers would not have been appointed in J&K and LoC would have been non-existent. “If Kashmir was an internal issue then India would have not killed six lakh Kashmiris, killed thousands in custody and 10,000 persons would not have been missing in custody. Like wise 7,000 Kashmiris would not have been buried in unmarked graves, incidents like Kunanposh Pora not occurred and thousands not jailed,” he added.
In his statement Mohammad Yasin Malik chairman JKLF, said Kashmir is neither an internal issue of any county nor a border dispute. “Kashmir is an internationally accepted issue. The issue was not taken to UN by Kashmiris or Pakistanis but India did so. Therefore a highly qualified person should avoid making himself a political joker by describing it as an internal issue,” he said.
Malik stated that India had got lot of appreciation at international level by taking the issue to UN and for accepting the democratic right of people. “After the recognition by international community, Kashmir issue was presented into Indian parliament by first Indian prime minister Jawahar Lal Nehru himself. On this occasion he also made a historic speech in which he stated that Kashmiri is not for sale that somebody buys him, Kashmiris have a right to decide about their future, if while doing so Kashmiris will decide against India, we will be pained but will accept the verdict of Kashmiris,” JKLF chairman said.
Malik reminded Salman that despite recognizing the right of Kashmiris, government of India delayed a solution and tried to crush Kashmiris through military might, suppression and political gimmickry. The incidents from 1990, 2008, 2009 and 2010 are witness to the Indian suppression to Kashmir. Kashmir continued to be an International issue till yesterday and it continues to be so even today. The permanent peace, stability and development is only possible in subcontinent after a solution of Kashmir issue.
Regarding Salman’s suggestion to Kashmiris to forget Kunanposh Pora incident and citing of the example of truth and reconciliation by Nelson Mandela, JKLF chairman said, “We want to tell Salman that we are followers of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) who after Mecca victory forgave his bitter enemies. We want to tell the Indian foreign minister that Whites in South Africa, who were fighting against Mandela, ended apartheid and gave freedom to black. One sided positive moves should not be expected. Government of India should show magnanimity and accept the right of self determination of Kashmiris and end military occupation, then only we can forget the tragedies like Kunanposh Pora.”
To the suggestion of Salman that separatists should contest elections, JKLF chairman, pro-freedom leadership and organizations represent the aspirations, sentiments and struggle of Kashmiris. “We had asked for proving our representative character. For this purpose in 2001 the united Hurriyat Conference had constituted an independent commission of prominent people from India, Pakistan and Kashmir but every party in Delhi spoke against this move and government of India jailed us for it,” he said.
Hurriyat Conference (M) has accused the foreign minister of deliberately deviating from historical facts as Kashmir is a historical dispute, known internationally. “On one side the Indian foreign minister talks to Pakistan on Kashmir and on the other side he describes Kashmir as an internal matter of India. There is contradiction in his statements and actions,” a spokesman of the faction said. He added that Kashmir is a disputed territory and world has accepted this fact. UN by its resolutions has endorsed the disputed nature of Kashmir issue.
“Salman’s statement that Kashmir is an internal issue cannot affect the disputed nature of Kashmir. There are only two options for the solution of this issue-One, that UN resolutions are implemented and the second, tripartite talks between India, Pakistan and pro-freedom leadership are held,” he said.
The Hurriyat (G) chairman added that tragedies like Kunan Poshpora cannot be forgotten. He said the ongoing movement will be taken to its logical conclusion.
Javid Ahmad Mir, chairman JKLF (H) has said Salman Khurshid and Congress must heal the wounds of Gujarat Muslims first. “Kashmiris have become used to wounds and their rubbing of salt to injuries by Congress and its forces,” he said.

 

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