Syeda Mazhar
The world is progressing towards self-working robots and self-sufficient economies but when we look towards the subcontinent, mainly Pakistan and India, they can’t break free from the chains of history. Or so that’s what they claim. Kashmir is the one issue that remains unresolved in the international arena even after almost a century. Despite the efforts of the Pakistani government to work out the matter but due to the vulgarity of the Indian government, the Kashmiris are left to face the brutalities of the Indian Army. The matter is as grave as it gets and has stirred the international states time and again, with the Turkish prime minister urging both India and Pakistan to solve the conflict as soon as possible. For the blood that is being shed is neither Pakistani nor Indian but only of Kashmiris.
The matter at hand, however, is that India refuses to hold talks with the Pakistani officials. It is an entirely different matter when one state agrees to solve the issue with peaceful talks between arch enemies; But is it really a ‘peaceful talk’ when the other party hold talks on the basis that the demographic and the imaginary borders be changed as a condition to holding these talks? Should Pakistan bow down to such trickery? Not only does India wish to hold conditional peaceful talks which are in his own favour but also verbally and physically attack the sovereignty of Pakistan.
The usual firing at the LOC from the Indian army side echo within generations of the Kashmiris. Walking in the beautiful valleys of Kashmir, one comes across a thin-reed girl with eyes of only flesh bone and metal but no vision. Further alongside the river stream, a young teenage malnourished boy could be seen trying to gather water with the help of his only arm whose fingers have been broken by the soldiers of the mighty Indian force. And why shouldn’t they exercise the power that they have for the Indian Army posted in Kashmir region have been given unlimited immunity to whatever chaos and destruction that they may cause. On one hand, the ‘peaceful Indian government’ is all ears to listen to the sorrows and cries of the Kashmiris through talks, but on the other hand, they would use all the might that they possess to keep the Kashmiris in firm control.
Protests and rallies are commonplace in Bajaur Agency and Srinagar against the illegal control by the Indian Army. Bhuran, a 22 year old young man, lost his life at the hands of the military forces at the crime of speaking for his own rights. A rebel that he was, he was shot to death as a warning to the other rebels as they might face the same fate. Such is the terror and chaos spread by the Army in Kashmir. This exclusive treatment is not for the rebels only, but is extended to whoever may receive it willing or non-willing. Insha, a young woman, seeking asylum on the second floor of her house was sadly sitting too close to the window when the pellet shot hit her. Long story short, now one of her eyes is sewn shut while the other is under intensive care. Such is the fate of the generations of the Kashmiris. Such is the raw reality of the lives of the Kashmiris.
Nawaz Sharif brought upon the issue of Kashmir on the international forums such as UN. This step has been lauded by Kashmiris as it gives them a ray of hope. This is a positive step towards the determining of the issue. However, a distinction should be made between the freedom struggle of the Kashmiris and terrorism. In a land where basic human rights aren’t being supplied to the citizens, then as per the UN General Assembly Resolution 2649 (1970) “affirms the legitimacy of the struggle of peoples under colonial and alien domination recognised as being entitled to the right of self-determination to restore to themselves that right by any means at their disposal”. This specific expression termed as ‘by any means at disposal’ signifies that armed struggle could also be used. It could also be implied that Pakistan helping the Kashmiris is not illegal by any means.
The whole puzzle is one that has been too far strung along. The Kashmiris want to side with Pakistan, so let them. We have all seen that the Indian military forces have been unable to provide them with the basic human rights let alone the luxuries that life offers. The Kashmiris have been tortured for far too long. How many more lives may be lost for the hearts of the Indians to melt? How many more people have to be injured by the pellet shots for the Indians to leave them in peace? Is the graffiti, the protests, the stoning not enough?
