Mohammad Jamil
British Sikh and Kashmiris staged demonstrations at 10 Downing Street London against the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the Britain for Commonwealth summit to condemn his affiliation with violent Hindu nationalism and rising attacks on minorities. Heads of 53 Commonwealth nations Sikh organizations such as Dal Khalsa, Sikhs for Justice and Sikh Federation (UK) several other Sikh groups working for Khalistan had mobilized their supporters to protest against the Indian premier. The anti-Modi protesters from Caste Watch UK and South Asia Solidarity group waved banners such as ‘Modi, you have blood on your hands’ and ‘Modi Not Welcome’. “Hindu nationalism must be curtailed to avert India sliding towards wholesale dictatorship threatening democratic fabric, rule of law and the unity of India,” a Caste Watch UK spokesperson said.
They were joined by other protestors carrying images the eight-year-old rape victim from Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir, and Gauri Lankesh, the Indian journalist who was shot at her doorstep last year. Representatives of several Indian women’s groups in the UK participated, wearing white as part of their silent protest against “atrocities that are taking place in India”. One could see on the TV channels that thousands of people protested at 10 Downing Street, but the matter was downplayed by the media who stated that hundreds of protestors demonstrated against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Along with many other organisations Tamil Solidarity took part in the protest against Modi’s visit to the UK. It was an energetic protest that expressed the widespread and massive anger against Modi.
Slogans, such as “Modi not welcome”, “end caste oppression” and “end BJP rule,” were raised and demonstrators carried play cards with the slogans. Tamil Solidarity expressed unity with the Kashmiris and Gujaratis and others who took part in the protest. Protesters warmly welcomed the Tamil Solidarity participation and the urge for united action in the future against the atrocious Indian government. In fact, many groups of minorities had participated in the demonstrations, and Indian flag was also torn to pieces. Afzal Khan, Labour MP from Manchester invited attention of the Prime Minister May towards Kashmir problem stating: “The stalemate in the bilateral talks between India and Pakistan has failed to deliver any solution to this major nuclear flashpoint. How will she use the UK’s new position to boldly pursue peace and human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir?”
British Prime Minister Theresa May reiterated London’s stance on the issue: “I am sure that it is a matter of concern not only to him but to a number of his constituents. We continue to take the view that the best resolution of this issue is for India and Pakistan themselves to come together and resolve the matter. That will be the way to resolve it that will actually ensure the sustainability of a resolution.” She has to understand that Kashmir issue is an unfinished agenda of the partition, and that resolutions were passed in United Nations Security Council bestowing on the people of Kashmir to decide about joining Pakistan or India through a plebiscite to be held under the aegis of the UN. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the UN and international community to implement those resolutions.
Unfortunately, both the Congress and BJP have identical stance so far as relations with Pakistan and resolution of Kashmir issue are concerned. The Congress leaders often expressed willingness to discuss all issues or disputes with Pakistan including Kashmir, but when pressed for meaningful dialogue to resolve Kashmir dispute, they said Kashmir was an integral part of India. The BJP had vowed to act tough with Pakistan, and would not discuss Kashmir issue with Pakistan. Today, Kashmir stands as a potential nuclear flashpoint which could consume the lives of millions of people in an instant. To avert a major disaster, there must be a serious, result-oriented and time-bound process of dialogue between the leadership of India and Pakistan, and of Jammu and Kashmir. as the repression, oppression and atrocities by Indian forces have turned Kashmir into a hell.
However, these acts could not break the will of Kashmiris, and they stand tall. The heroic struggle waged by the people of Kashmir is unparalleled in the history; they are committed to continue their struggle till their objective is achieved. It has to be said that no solution can be found without participation and consensus of the people of Kashmir. Historical evidence suggests that Kashmiris have passed through the longest ordeal and faced death and destruction. They had faced repression even before the partition when the British had sold Kashmir to Gulab Singh, a former governor of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh for 7.5 million rupees. Once again at the time of partition when people of Kashmir had dreamt of freedom, the plan of annexing Kashmir was contrived and implemented by Lord Mountbatten and Nehru, whereby Raja Hari Singh was coerced into signing the controversial document, as he was hesitant to go against the wishes of Kashmiris.
