A solution to Jammu & Kashmir's unresolved status can only be executed if the citizens of the territory create that solution without external interference -
Tanveer Ahmed
We understand that the first ever British Kashmiri protest took place in Glasgow, Scotland - 1962:
....... Day 17 it is of an unprecedented lockdown in modern human history. There are no signs of normalcy returning anytime soon in the Valley of Kashmir:
I could've easily forgot about typing an entry today......
....
The subject of a consensus is always a difficult subject for Muslims.........and I'm in the thick of a Muslim majority area trying to develop an internal political process, which isn't possible without all stakeholders. If we exclude anybody that would hamper our legitimacy.
There is what I would describe as a virus doing the rounds in AJK ever since India's seemingly unilateral action to chop up Article 370 of its constitution, exactly 14 days ago.
The Pakistanis are on a charm offensive. Here are 2 examples:
Exhibit 1: (recieved via Whatsapp on August the 11th)
I have received the following message containing a political solution on present state of changed Kashmir Status from another friend. The Political Solution has been put forth by a former Brigadier (in the Pakistani army) namely Mr. Imtiaz Malik as under:
OUT OF BOX SOLUTIONS RECEIVED FROM ANOTHER FORUM:
India has made a political move, not a military one, therefore, our answer (while out of box), must also be of political nature and unsettling enough for India.
1. We can unilaterally call off Shimla Accord since India has integrated a territory declared disputed in that accord. This would change the status of Line of Control back to Cease Fire Line. It would also deny India an opportunity to tell others that India-Pakistan has a bilateral accord to settle disputes like Kashmir.
2. Even more daring step can be to ask Azad Jummu & Kashmir Government to declare independence of entire State of J&K. Act as a 'government in absentia' for Indian occupied part as well. Apply for membership of the UN and OIC, where Pakistan should strongly support its membership. India did same with us in 1971, when it supported Bangladesh government in exile. This step alone would change the entire equation. Domestically all people of valley will be energized and get united. At international level, the nature of dispute would change from Territorial issue between two states to that of self rule of Kasmiris. Security council resolutions which are dormant , will now become most relevant.
3. The new independent State of Azad J&K can still keep defence pact with Pakistan to defend it against Indian aggression, if any.
4. As soon as Azad J&K get the UN membership, it can also invoke International Court of Justice to declare instrument of accession being void as that accord as well as Contitutional agreement made by the past governments with Indian Union has been violated by India, and that would make Indian occupation illegal.
He thinks it a very befitting and effective proposition. All segments of proposal are very cogent, in fitness of things considering 7 decades of Indian treacherous conduct regarding Kashmir. It seems like an opportunity as we had in 1962 which we failed to materialize. Proposals must be propagated in all forums so that enough analytical and critical aspects surface.
Please share in your networks for wider discussions and building a more pragmatic approach for diplomatic campaign.
End of x. Brigadier's proposal....
My initial response:
Sounds like a similar suggestion of the 1980s which was bought hook, line and sinker by the JKLF and others....we don't want to repeat that. All Pakistan has to do is keep its mouth shut and slowly begin demilitarisation from AJK. They have been given a direction since 2012. They need to follow that.
Exhibit 2:
This is Professor Doctor Mehdi Hassan who is described as a leading intellectual of Pakistan; being interviewed for his opinion on the current scenario:
This was my immediate response:
I think the old gentleman is terribly misguided and contradictory. He talks of avoiding a territorial dispute but gives suggestions based on a territorial dispute. He is suggesting that Pakistan should allow AJK to be a sovereign State but follow the agenda given by Pakistan.
This is legerdemain once again!
Now, it should be clear that we in AJK are in no mood to allow Pakistan to pull the wool over our eyes yet again. It needs to demilitarise in phases as suggested in the internal political process. We don't need a defence pact with them, we need a defence pact with the whole world! Our destination is that of a neutral territory and thus we cannot engage in pacts or agreements which align us in any way to any country in particular. The Pakistanis must understand that their interference in J & K is a large part of the problem and thus, the less they interfere the more progress we can make towards a solution.
This is a battle for fundamental rights, dignity and identity. All countries involved in J & K should understand that. Our battle is legal, peaceful and democratic. We must tackle our obstacles bit by bit, getting Pakistan to demilitarise will pave the way for Indian demilitarisation. That in turn will enable us to tackle Chinese presence in our territory.
The energy, resources and mindset needed for Chinese eviction is more than that needed to evict India. Likewise, the energy, resources and mindset needed to evict India is more than that needed to evict Pakistan.
If we can't evict our Muslim neighbours who are at the bottom of the power equation in this complex puzzle and who claim to speak on our behalf, how on earth are we going to evict larger powers who show no such sympathy or inclination?
We must be clear about our objectives and the world must be clear about our utility as a neutral entity in Asia. The precedent of Switzerland is already available in Europe and has been since 1515. For us, 2020 is just around the corner! ...... While en route to public interest work this afternoon, I happened to come across this activity at the main thoroughfare. Was this a coincidence or was this done purposefully on my approach. Well, an Indian flag doesn't get created suddenly and neither are they in supply in AJK. However, as I'm not clear who is behind this and there is some choreographed aspect to this act, I am beginning to wonder!
........ A polite reminder:
people from POK taken by pkarmy in 2018:AJK 229,GB:53 No idea they are dead or alive.#NaeemButt was killed by paki forces in protest in POK. Sec 144 in #Muzaffarabad against any one gathering for protest Treason cases against JKLF NSF for demanding freedom Next Please
— #SaveRiverSaveMuzaffarabad (@khawajaatteeq) August 19, 2019
........ So it is now likely that the UK may not just be divided on Brexit, Jammu & Kashmir could also become contentious between the Conservatives and Labour:
Appreciation and execution of tasks have to be bridged in public interest to succeed. .... Let us not forget the following from yesteryear: In July 1946, Hari Singh stated that people would "work out our own destiny without dictation from any quarter which is not an integral part of the State," writes Ramachandra Guha in his book 'India After Gandhi'. Singh famously wanted J & K to be the 'Switzerland of the East'; effectively a neutral territory between India and Pakistan. Source Link ...... As we're on the theme of British legacy here, here's an article in foreignpolicy.com that echoes our viewpoint:
Locals are still paying for the mess the British left behind in Hong Kong and Kashmir. https://t.co/e0pWrU7AeG
...... Today, Its one slogan and one track in the district capital of Neelam Valley, Athmaqam: India and Pakistan go back!
....... Cross LOC confrontation between India and Pakistan has stepped up again since yesterday and inevitably civilian casualties are also rising. Today, the Poonch region and in particular Darra Sher Khan, Battal and Mandhol have seen a level of intensity and heavy lighting used for targetting, that have never been seen before:
Heavy Lights on LOC 1
Heavy Lights on LOC 2
....... Now, this is what I would describe as a wholesome internal narrative:
UNSC rejected both countries Stance on Kashmir. Both ridiculous countries befooling their domestic audience about so called victory in the UN. But you both r failed on international level. Simple solution is withdraw ur armies from All occupied J&K. We dont need and don't want u. https://t.co/LqHrk3uoLY
— All Occupied Jammu Kashmir (@AzadiYaShahadat) August 18, 2019
Here's further footage from 7,000 feet in Jandaali, Poonch on the 14th of August, uploaded by one of our star activists in AJK, Imran Shan of Dathote, Poonch. What was the gist of the clip? Each divided part of J & K should represent itself. An Inclusive and representative internal discussion should proceed.....
It's always an honour for me to receive so much attention from Imran....
..... The following is a dilemma for our citizens, which they have yet to overcome: If you cannot recognise the efforts and achievement of a citizen working on a collective responsibility, then how can you recognise the importance of the State (of AJK > J & K)? Please note that the State is defined here as an aggregate of a given number of citizens holding title to ownership of a geographically defined territory. ..... The following image is very apt and current:
...... This type of disaster is likely to happen with more frequency in AJK as Pakistan has little clue about water management and is hell bent on extracting whatever it can from this territory:
...... Although this interview was recorded on the 13th in Muzaffarabad, it was uploaded today. It should give one a sense of how an internal narrative is rapidly crystallising in AJK:
