Interview


Written by Amna Ehtesham Khaishgi • Region • October 2010

3-1 The latest uprising in Kashmir has opened the Pandora's Box once again. As the Indian authorities struggle to keep the situation under control, Kashmiris appear to be engaged in a "Do or Die" battle. It seems the leadership of this most volatile region is now determined to take the struggle to its logical conclusion.

In an exclusive interview with Amna Ehtesham Khaishgi for Southasia magazine, Mirwaiz Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq, Chairman of the Awami Action Committee and All Parties Hurriyat Conference, calls a spade a spade. According to him, Kashmiris are now fed up of dying every day and are ready to face any consequence on the path to self determination.

"India cannot blame Pakistan for what is happening in Kashmir"

- Mirwaiz Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq

What according to the Hurriyat Conference is the logical end to the Kashmir struggle?

We believe that there are two ways of solving this problem. One is to follow the United Nation's resolution in which the people of Kashmir get to decide whether they want to be with Pakistan or India. The second option is a mutually agreed tripartite (Kashmir, India and Pakistan) discussion where all three stakeholders sit together and discuss possible solutions. Among that, an independent Kashmir is the strongest option.

Do you think the leadership of India and Pakistan is really serious about solving the problem?

As far as Pakistan is concerned, it is on a strong wicket. Whereas, at the international level, India has failed to prove that whatever is happening in Kashmir is Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Today, the whole world including the international media unanimously believes that Kashmir struggle is indigenous and that anger against India in Kashmir is home grown. Today the struggle is not about arms and violence to which India can respond in a violent manner, the way they did in the 1990s. Today, there is no weapon. People are protesting peacefully on the roads of Kashmir. A 100 of our people have died in the last three months whereas there was not a single casualty on the Indian military side. Today, India cannot blame Pakistan for anything happening in Kashmir. Pakistan should therefore come forward and support the Kashmiri struggle internationally, particularly on the diplomatic front.

Don't you think Kashmiri leadership is too dependent on Pakistan?

Today, the ground reality is that Kashmir struggle is standing on its own. It is not 1990, 1989 or 1975 anymore. It is true that we always look upon Pakistan for political and diplomatic support but we also know that this is primarily our war. And we have to fight this war by ourselves and take it forward on our own terms.

What about the China factor?

As of now, there is no such thing as the China factor in the Kashmir struggle. The reason is there is no population in the Chinese-held Kashmir. It is only land. And our priority is people and that part of the land where Kashmiris are suffering. We want to address the sufferings of the people. Once an understanding develops with India and Pakistan, then of course we can talk to the Chinese authorities too.

Do you think the Afzal Guru issue can hamper the Kashmir struggle?

Afzal Guru issue is a politically motivated one. And the way Afzal Guru was arrested, and the way the case was dealt with, itself raises a big question mark on its credibility. BJP wants to exploit this issue to suppress the Kashmiri struggle. But right now, the ongoing struggle and the growing international concern are more worrisome for the Indian establishment.

There is a fear that if Kashmir gets independence then Muslims in India will be in a difficult position both politically and socially. What do you think about this?

This is a completely wrong impression. Muslims in India are Indian nationals and they have no objection to it. We also wish them to prosper as Indians. They got the opportunity to decide their future in 1947 and they decided to remain in India. We Kashmiris didn't have the opportunity to decide. You cannot deprive Kashmiris because of Indian Muslims. Even as a leader, we never said that it is a Hindu-Muslim issue. We never said it is a Kashmiri Muslim issue or a conflict between Muslim Kashmir and Hindu India. The struggle of Kashmir is based on ideology. We will never accept the notion that Indian Muslims will suffer because of the solution of Kashmir.