The Kashmiri intifada

By Sharmila Faruqui

The current violence in Indian-held Kashmir is rooted in the struggle of the people for the right of self-determination. It started in June 2010, when the Indian army and police fired upon the peaceful demonstrators who were demanding freedom from the Indian occupation. Hundreds of men, women and children have been killed or wounded since then.

The Kashmir issue has bedeviled Pak-India relations since 1947. The bulk of resources have been consumed by the Indian and Pakistani war machines as a result of this dispute. India, which occupied Kashmir in 1947 and gave rise to the conflict, is intransigent on solving this issue. Pakistan and the Kashmiri people have always demanded a fair solution to the conflict in accordance with the UN resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

The international community, particularly the UN and the United States, are unable to force India to abide by the UN resolutions and solve the issue. This indifferent attitude has further complicated the issue. Consequently, the conflict remains the "mother of all issues" that besiege Pak-India relations. Kashmir is one of the most intractable problems of international politics. It has the potential to boil over and can lead to a full-scale war between India and Pakistan. It remains a constant threat to the peace of the region.

The British left in 1947 after creating the Kashmir dispute that has since bedeviled peace between India and Pakistan. The agreed principle that governed partition was applied in Hyderabad, Manavdar and Junagarh but denied in Kashmir. Pakistan and India fought a war over Kashmir in 1947. In 1948 India sought a ceasefire, taking the issue to the UN Security Council. The UN Security Council passed resolution 47 on 21 April 1948 over Kashmir. It imposed ceasefire along the Line of Control. The resolution also called on them to withdraw their troops. Thereafter, in order to annex the disputed territory, India amended its constitution, claiming Kashmir to be its integral part. These measures were in stark contrast to the wishes of the Kashmiri people, the UN Security Council resolutions and against the internationally accepted "disputed" status of the state.

The Kashmiris are up against the Indian occupation and want to unite with Pakistan. The recent uprising in Kashmir is a wakeup call for India. This uprising in Kashmir is totally indigenous. More and more people are rallying behind the movement as it has gripped each and every town and village of the Kashmir valley. India has not hesitated to use brutal force to maintain its hold on held-Kashmir and suppresses revolt. Indian troops, along with paramilitary forces and state police, have let loose a consistent and massive reign of terror on unarmed civilians. They have killed men, women and children, young and old, indiscriminately. Women are being raped with impunity.

According to a recent report on Human Rights violations in the Indian-held Kashmir, the Indian forces have killed more than 93,274 innocent Kashmiris between 1989 to June 30, 2010. There have been 6,969 custodial killings, over 107,351 children have been orphaned, 22,728 women widowed and 9,920 women gang raped. In June 2010 alone, 33 people were killed, including four children. 572 people were tortured and injured and 8 women were molested.

The murky cycle of violence is picking up speed. The killing of innocent civilians draws protests in all nook and corners of the state by enraged people, which in turn provokes the security forces to indulge in more killing. Pakistan has taken meaningful steps for the resolution of Kashmir dispute in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of the Kashmiri people. The issue of Jammu and Kashmir was raised with India during all important interactions. President Asif Ali Zardari has time and again reiterated his resolve to extend political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people. The people's government has made consistent efforts to project the Kashmir cause at national and international levels. It has consistently demanded that India respect the human rights of the Kashmiri people.

India has lost the battle in Kashmir. Its use of brutal force has miserably failed to stifle the struggle for self-determination. The Indian leadership should accept the reality in addressing the Kashmir issue. The wishes of the Kashmiri people must be honoured in accordance with the UNSC resolutions that grant them the right of self-determination.

The writer is adviser to Sindh chief minister and is secretary information of PPP Sindh's women wing