By: Waseem Shabbir
Deplorablely, UNO-the world’s largest organization, has utterly failed in settling Kashmir dispute proving itself to be a toothless body that has so obstinately turned its blind eyes to the genocide of muslims in Kashmir
Kashmir black day is observed every year on 27 October, in Pakistan and occupied Kashmir in commemoration of matchless sacrifices made by freedom fighters of Kashmir against inhumane and illegal occupation by India. Literally, the Indian government, on 27 October 1947, illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir; therefore, observing this day is meant to condemn and denounce that illegitimate and despotic usurpation of Kashmir by India. On this day, rallies are organised across Pakistan, to extend solidarity with Kashmiri brother and sisters snd to stand up with them in all hardships and predicaments. Kashmir issue is, in fact, raised to the world while highlighting innumerable atrocities by Indian troops and upholding right of Kashmiris to their self-determination, on this very day.
Pakistan has left no stone unturned in raising its voice for the emancipation of held Kashmir from the clutches of Indian worst ever atrocities, on almost all International forums. In the recent, Pakistan has too expedited its diplomatic efforts to convince international community to draw their special attention towards this burning issue of smouldering Kashmir. In that regard, Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, tried hard to convene ministerial meeting of OIC members in order to reach a durable solution to Kashmir issue. PM Imran Khan, on seventy fifth session of UN general assembly, on 25 September, highlighted Kashmir issue in his speech on priority basis, demanding the world leaders to take Kashmir issue in their due consideration. Going on, whether it is meeting of SCO or that of SAARC, Kashmir issue doesn’t go unnoticed.
Actually, the major and genuine cause behind Kashmir conflict which triggered this crisis more was the wrong signing of a document named “Instrument of accession” by Hari Sing of princely state of Kashmir on 26 october 1946, in which he agreed to accede to Indian dominion, so sheerly contravening the set rule of majority population to join an assimilating state__muslims to Pakistan and Hindus to India, clearly divulges that held Kashmir was part of Pakistan.
Apart from that, Maharaja’s immoral and deceitful accession to Indian dominion was later accepted by the then viceroy– lord mountbaton. More to their hypocrisy, this princely state of Kashmir was intentionally and intriguingly left undecided, with false promises of holding referendum or plebiscite on it to decide its future accession either to Pakistan or India by the British government at the time of partition of subcontinent on august,1947, but unluckily no such promise was fulfilled by them and left Kashmir to smoulder.
Moreover, in an attempt to convert muslim population into minorities, Modi’s led BJP government, on 5th-August-2019, had unlawfully and illegitimately annexed disputed state of Kashmir to India by allegedly abrogating Article 370 and 35A, the former of which grants occupied people of Kashmir an autonomous status to form their own government in order to run the internal affairs of the state and the latter serves them as shield that restrains and restricts the people from India to buy land and properties and setting up their businesses within the area of occupied Kashmir. This constitutional deception by indian government has once again rekindled the dormant issue of Kashmir which is tantamount to rubbing salt on wounds of thousands of Kashmiri people.
The insurgency in Kashmir is still stagnant even in the wake of COVID-19. Every new day, the increasingly aggravated situation in held Kashmir is catching much more attention of the world, has increased its importance as global issue. Top humanitarian violations have assumed a form of dreadful picture in occupied Kashmir. The tightening blockade of Kashmir and heavy curfew for last 15 months has made lives of 9 million muslims miserable.Presumably, 14 thousands of people have been arrested amidst this inhumane besiege. Likewise, number of Hurriyat leaders including Syed Ali Gilani continue to remain under house detention.
Reports depict that, the stalled Indian troops martyred 214 and injured 1390 during continuous siege for last fifteen months in addition to approximately 95647 life casualties that have been recorded from 1989 to date, stand at alarming position. The troops injured 10,240 by pellet guns and blinded over five dozen while eyesight of 385 was damaged. Moreover, 3400 people are reported to have been disappeared since the eruption of insurgency in Kashmir. It has been reported that more than 900 kashmiri women have become victim of gang-rapes by Indian forces to date. Pitiably, Modi’s government is adamantly sustaining annexation of held kashmir, continuing curfew, persecuting Kashmiris and granting no relief to the oppressed people even during Covid_19.
Furthermore, scarcity of food and medicine has badly worsened the lives of people in Kashmir. Hundreds of people are routinely subjected to torture and baton charge by Indian deployed troops. People are deterred from going to mosques to perform religious obligation. Children, aging from two to three are dying due to running short of milk. Patients are not being properly taken care of nor they are being provided with good medical treatment in hospitals. Constant closure and shutdown of Kashmir has disrupted food supply; thus, compelling people to starve to death. Mobile and net services are suspended from the day first, curfew was imposed along with stiff censorship on print and electronic media is placed which has disconnected approximately 90,000 of people from the world outside.
Deplorablely, UNO-the world’s largest organization, has utterly failed in settling Kashmir dispute proving itself to be a toothless body that has so obstinately turned its blind eyes to the genocide of muslims in Kashmir; thus not fulfilling its objective for which it was formed. Similarly, OIC another big bloc of 57 muslim countries, whose previous records have never been pleasant to tackle the problems of Muslim ummah, has turned a deaf ear to the atrocities being inflicted on Muslims by indian forces in Kashmir. Likewise, “SAARC” a south asian based organisation comprising of eight member states is too not accredited for not playing its significant role towards the resolution of Kashmir dispute.
To encapsulate, first, ICJ “International Court of Justice” has to play its unbiased role to hear and resolve Kashmir case under its legal and lawful judgements. Second, Security Council; one of the most important six organs of UN, should also play its due part in putting occupied Kashmiris’ right of self-determination into practice under Security Council Resolution 47, adopted on 21 April, 1948. Third, UN should send its peace keeping missions to Kashmir to halt human rights violations amidst this time of highest insurgency in held Kashmir; it will considerably restore durable peace and prosperity there. Last but not the least, Amnesty international has to draw its full attention towards the Indian war crimes in held Kashmir.
The writer is Pakistan based political analyst & Freelance Columnist. He can be reached at [email protected]