Jihad in Kashmir and the right of Self-determination for Kashmiris
- Hindutva News Analysis
_________________________________________________________________________
The right of Self-determination for Kashmiris
The right of self-determination is a cornerstone of democratic society. In this context what do we make of the repeated slogan that "Kashmiris should have the right of self-determination?" We often hear such voices at the United Nations from the Pakistani delegation. The self-styled President of Pakistan also makes passing references to this while he insists on calling Kashmir an "Unfinished business of Partition" and a "Dispute". And how is this dispute to be resolved? The Paksitani say: "By giving the right of self-determination to Kashmiris".
Fair enough, except for the fact that this demand comes from the leadership of a country where democracy has been often sent to the gallows by the powers that be in the Pakistani Military. Half the time when India has had to deal with Pakistan the leader on the Pakistani side is one who has usurped power in military coup. Are these Military coups that had brought to power Pakistani Army Generals like Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, Zia-ul-Haq and now Pervez Musharraf - a kind of self-determination? A kind of "self-determination" exercised by the powers-that-be in the Pakistani Army at that point in time?
And mind you it is these self-same leaders who make the shrill cry of giving the right of "self-determination" to the Kashmiri people. How ironical!
The Right of Self-determination in Pakistan and the story of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, President of Pakistan (almost)
And secondly when in 1971, the popular mandate in Pakistan (on one of the few occasions when they have given their people the right of self-determination) made Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, leader of the then East Pakistan, the President-elect of the then undivided Pakistan; what followed was not his swearing in ceremony as President of the Undivided Pakistan, but a fratricidal war that split the country of Pakistan into two parts! This war was fought to prevent the President-elect from assuming office since he was a Bengali and the Punjabi-Pathan dominated Pakistani army would not have a Bengali Muslim as the President of their country. Thus making a mockery of self-determination in Pakistan. Needless to remind the readers here that it was this fratricidal war that led to the creation of Bangladesh of which Sheikh Mujibur Rehman eventually became the first President.
So much for the respect that the Pakistani rulers give to the right of self-determination to the citizens of their own country. And it is these very same people who cry hoarse for the right of self-determination for the people of Kashmir
The true story of Kashmir
Kashmir is at the forefront of the civilizational divided between the Dar-ul-Islam (Islamic world) and Dar-ul-Harb (non-Islamic world i.e. the civilized world). The current troubles there are a continuation of a fifty year legacy of aggression to bring Kashmir into Dar-ul-Islam. And this is not an isolated aggression, it is happening elsewhere today at Macedonia, West Bank, and also in Oldham, Bradford and in many other parts of the world along the Civilizational fault line as articulated by Samuel Huntingdon in his seminal classic treatise "Clash of Civilizations".
The right of self-determination in Dar-ul-Islam
Here we need to pointedly ask "In how many Islamic countries are free elections conducted? In Saudi Arabia - the birthplace of Islam? In Afghanistan - the Islamic Paradise? In Syria? In Libya? Or in Pakistan??
The answer is obvious. At least in disturbed Kashmir there are election being held and today (27th July 2001) the Minister of state for External Affairs of the Republic of India is a Kashmiri Muslim. Can a Hindu occupy such a post in Islamic Pakistan, at least - leave apart in Afghanistan or in Saudi Arabia! No, in fact in Saudi Arabia a non-Muslim cannot even have a place of worship. In Afghanistan we came close to Hindus being asked to carry yellow identity cards. (No, the Quran does not say that non-Muslims should have yellow cards, although it prescribes how the non-muslims should be tyrannized, tortured, and made to submit to Islam. The Taliban have improved upon what is said in the Quran by learning additional lessons from the Nazis - indeed).
Respect for Human Rights in the Islamic World
The less said the better about the human rights record and the right to self determination in societies where according to the law arms can be cut off, there can be stoning to death, women are to be wrapped up in a tent, and for voicing the slightest dissenting opinion that Maulavis think, violates the Quran - the penalty is imprisonment if not death at the gallows or death by lynching by the frenzied crowds. And it is the leaders of cpuntries where such crimes against humanity are perpetrated; who unabashedly ask for the right of self-determination for the people of Kashmir (and freedom in the West Bank, Macedonia, etc).
A Question for the Kashmiri Muslims
We are aware that the people of Kashmir are suferring today. But we ask them:
"Who started the Killings in Kashmir?" - The Indian Army? or the Islamic Jihadi Terrorists?
"Who drove out the Hindu Kashmir Pandits?" - The Indian Army? or the Islamic Jihadi Terrorists?
"Who can bring back peace, prosperity (tourists and apple orchards in blossom) and of course law and order to the Kashmir Valley?" - The Indian Army? or the Islamic Jihadi Terrorists?
The answers are obvious.
Hurriyat Conference's demand of secession from India and accession to Pakistan
Some Hurriyat Conference type of Kashmiris may say we want Azadi (Freedom - to join Pakistan after secession from India). And if the majority of the Kashmiri Muslims want secession from India as the Hurriyat would have us believe, they are free to contest elections on the plank demanding secession from India and accession to Pakistan. Let's see how many seats they can win on this platform. And if the Hurriyat wants a plebicite in the entire (undivided state) of Kashmir then Pakistan would have to vacate the Pakistani Administered Kashmir and then and only then can plebicite be conducted. This is according to the UN resolution in the matter. We have a deadlock situation here.
In this situation of logjam, let us assume for a moment that Kashmir has merged their state into Pakistan and in this context let us have the Kashmiris ask themselves what will stand to gain in this scenario? They should ask themselves what happened to the Bangladeshis? Ask themselves as to why the Bangladeshis are not East Pakistanis today and how secure do the Mohajirs and the Shias feel in Karachi? Will their own lot be any better if they join Pakistan? And if Pakistani leaders cannot give their own citizens the right of self-determination; then on what moral grounds are they crying hoarse that the people of Kashmir should be given this right, especially when, inspite of the disturbances, elections are being held in the Kashmir valley along with the rest of India?
That is the point to be made to the world at large whenever we hear the shrill Pakistani cry of the right of self-determination for the people of Kashmir. Are the mandarins of South Block listening?
(This Hindutva Site is managed by a Virtual Team of Webmasters across the globe. The articles included at this site do not necessarily represent the views of the Webmasters.)
________________________________________
Send your feedback to:
- The Hindutva Team
From the Hindu Mahasabha
______________________________________________
| _ _ _ |
You may view what others have said about this webpage
_____________________________________________________________ We invite you to use our Message Board to start a discussion on any relevant topic ___________________________________________________________
|
_________________________________________________
We invite you to participate in an online chat in our Hindu History Chatroom.
___________________________________________________
__________________________________
_________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________