120 Whither Kashmir? (Part II) - Islamabad Policy Research Institute

Whither Kashmir?
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband who visited New Delhi
and Islamabad in the post-Mumbai terror attacks had pointed out that
complete de-escalation of situation between Pakistan and India was fully
linked to resolution of Kashmir issue, saying that India should cooperate
with Pakistan in this respect.
Regarding the peaceful uprising of the Kashmiris, Washington Post
wrote on August 28, 2008, “Despite the government’s use of force, many
Muslims in Indian controlled Kashmir seem determined to find peaceful
ways to voice their aspirations as the nonviolent movement by the
unarmed protesters flourishes, especially among the young”.
New critical situation has also affected other parts of India and its
gravity could be judged from the fact that even Indian intellectuals have
started favouring the independence of the occupied Kashmir.
In its editorial, the editor of The Times of India wrote on
August 17, 2008 “On August 15, India celebrated independence from
the British Raj. A day symbolising the end of colonialism in India
became a day, symbolising Indian colonialism in the Valley”.
On August 16, 2008, Hindustan Times reported: “Nothing has
really changed since 1990s. Indian forces are treated as an army of
occupation. New Delhi is seen as the oppressor”.
As a matter of fact, when Kashmiri people lost faith in the
international community, which persisted in ignoring their liberation and
when it became obvious that the Indian occupying forces would not
vacate the controlled areas through political means, the peoples had no
choice but to resort to armed struggle which was actually intensified in
1989.
World history proves that a few persons were never able to launch
a successful freedom movement. And it always represents the aspirations
of majority of people who struggle for independence. While judging in
this context, the Kashmiris enjoy the support of all the intellectuals,
religious scholars and common men who are determined to fight against
the imperialist occupation of Indians.
World history proves that wars of liberation in connection with
various nations were their reaction against misrule and subjugation
perpetrated by alien powers. In the 20th century, a majority of the Third
World countries got independence after an armed struggle against the
colonial powers. Even independence of the United States, unification of
Germany and Italy became possible after an armed struggle. So, question
arises that “were the peoples of these countries terrorists at that time?
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