Kashmir Today

Kashmir today is passing through a very importance phase its colonial existence as common people without any projected leadership and planned procedures have successfully conducted a popular uprsing sending a firm message to Indian leaders about its final resolve to obtain indpendence and freedom from New Delhi.

Presidential rule in Jammu Kashmir has been imposed following the resignation of Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and in essence Governor of Jammu Kashmir does the job on behalf of President, but in reality the central government in New Delhi controls the states of Indian Union though the governors appointed by New Delhi. In the case of Jammu Kashmir, it is the prerogative of Indian military and police forces to decide the fate of Kashmiris and on rampage in Kashmir by applying the latest terrorist techniques to provoke and harass the innocent Kashmiris and brutally kill the freedom seeking patriotic Kashmiris on behalf of New Delhi.

 ONE: India and Kashmir

Fall of Ghulam Nabi Azad's Congress-PDP government in Jammu Kashmir might not be shocking news for Kashmiris as Azad, who played his role in the criminal politics of New Delhi against freedom seeking Kashmiris and supported genocide by state sponsored forces, could not muster enough members to win a vote of confidence. Azad resigned and did not pursue an aggressive campaign in horse trading offering huge money for supporting MLAs as the UPA government in New Delhi is seen doing by offering over 25 crores of Indian currency (so lucky Indian MPs) after announcing that it can win the vote of confidence though the ruling coalition, following the withdrawal of support of the Leftists, does not have enough numbers for that. But Manmohan government is leaving no stone unturned to gain the required majority and secure the famous nuclear deal.

Indian government has no paucity of resources, having got a plenty of stolen money belonging to the common people including Muslims, to pay "ready cash" to the MPs for their support in the parliament vote on July 22. Manmohan Singh, a pro-US and pro-capitalist premier in the South Asia, who met US president Bush recently in Japan on the sidelines of G8 summit, is over confident now, perhaps President Bush has assured him of US support for winning the vote, though US Congressmen cannot vote in Indian parliament, unless the Indian constitution is amended. The embassies of USA and UK must be very busy these days to help Manmohan to remain in power for some more months. Mainly because, the ghastly processes of reckless privatization and nuclearism must go on in India to squeeze the less privileged people, including Muslims.

USA has time and again warned the world leaders: "Look, you guys are either with us or against us. There is no neutral or non-aligned position. Be with us or face the consequences. Decide quickly", meaning if any country is not with USA it risks many things. US cannot easily forget the fact that India very cunningly used "non-aligned" posture to side with USSR and retain Kashmir under military occupation and genocides. A "grateful" Manmohan perhaps thinks USA had a hidden hand in his assuming premiership in the first place and it wants to see that his government survives to pursue the US and G8 agendas of privatization. It seems Bush has assured Manmohan of US sympathy and support when Singh met him on the sidelines of recent G8 summit and perhaps pledged not to retire him, unless, of course, he quits voluntarily to claim his second pension (he gets pension from RBI) without approaching the courts. Singh seems to have taken the US promise seriously. Remember, the Congress party has also pledged to Indian nations and world at large that Grand Babri Mosque will be rebuilt on the same site where it existed before it was demolished by anti-Islamic and Hindu terrorists.

But unlike the falloff JK government and game plan in New Delhi, the replacement of an elected JK government by governor N.N.Vohra, a leading Indian strategist appointed by New Delhi has cast shadow over the freedom movement of the patriotic Kashmiris.

TWO: New Governor

Governors in JK promote Indian interests as well as Hindu interests in Kashmir. Kashmir is treated as a colony by occupying India and terrorist Indian troops kill people on a regular basis without fear or any law and order. As a representative of Hindu India in Jammu Kashmir, governor N.N.Vohra is keen to get back to Amarnath land issue and support the Jammu Hindus, forgetting his status of Governor a state, and the plight of Kashmiri Muslims. Vohra should be aware of sufferings of Kashmiris under military occupation and that he should also support Kashmiris at any cost.

On 11 July, JK bureaucracy happily offered a red-carpet welcome to the new governor and seeks to continue with what it has been practicing in the state. A day after issuing the proclamation of Governor's rule in the State and dissolving JK assembly, Governor Vohra formally assumed the charge of state affairs on 11 July Friday.  Vohra went to Civil Secretariat to finally handle the charge of State's' "Big Boss". The Governor after receiving a guard of honor, entered into the former chief minister's office, which will now be the office of the Governor N N Vohra. The nameplate of outgoing CM outside the office was also replaced by the name of Governor at the same time. Vohra later chaired a four-hour long meeting attended by the administrative secretaries of various departments, was also attended by Chief Secretary S S Kapur.

The Governor, according to the sources, checked all the files that were sent to Chief Secretary's office by the outgoing chief minister and other ministers, and asked the officers to speed up the pace of work. Vohra made it clear in the meeting that assembly elections in the State would be held at due date. Vohra maintained that all the development projects would be completed in the record time, and stressed on the officers to work efficiently to address the grievances of the people. "I don't want to remain between people and elected legislators for long. So, I am strongly in favor of holding the assembly elections at due date.

As the directives about expediting the work in administrative offices were passed by Vohra, normal activities in the civil secretariat resumed. The Governor along with his Principal Secretary B B Vyas, chief secretary SS Kapur and Divisional Commissioner Kashmir went to Police headquarters to take stock of the security situation in the State. After receiving a guard of honor in the police headquarters, the Governor chaired a one and half hour meeting attended by all top police officials including Director General of Police, Kuldeep Khuda, Inspector General of Police- Kashmir range- SM Sahai and Director Intelligence Bureau. The meeting was also attended by Deputy Commissioners of all the districts.

In JK, going by experiences, any change in the regimes never matters as power centre lies in New Delhi which controls and shuffles the ministries depending on the situation.  Chairmen of both factions of Hurriyat conference, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, rightly claimed that imposition of Governor's rule in Jammu and Kashmir won't make any difference. After all it was always the governor who controlled JK politics and life as well as state terrorism. They see though the New Delhi's game plane when Geelani, Mirwaiz said change of guard in terrorized Srinagar  is no big deal as he is going to continue with what his predecessors have done before him: genocide, arrests, harassments and brutality in jails.

Kashmiris are now politically matured to see clearly the Indian dirty game plan.

The heroic martyrdom of 1931 freedom fighters against the Dogra regime is the same sentiment which has been recently displayed by the youth of Kashmir against controversial land transfer to SASB.

THREE: Indian Draconian Laws

With the air being cleared for yet another spell of Governor's rule in J&K, constitutional experts believe that the Governor Vohra can strike a chord with the masses if he utilizes the powers vested with him and repeals the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) including other stringent laws. Officially, the new Governor has asked the police officers to be people-friendly. Police officials briefed the Governor about the present security scenario. The police officers were also directed by the Governor to work with extra-caution and vigil in wake of the coming assembly elections. But Indian terrorist police and military forces can do anything to Muslims.

Currently there are various tough laws including the J&K Armed Forces Special Powers Act, Public Safety Act, Arms Act, J&K Disturbed Areas Act, Enemy Agents Ordinance, and Suppression of Sabotages Act in force across Jammu and Kashmir will little exceptions about the Disturbed Areas Act. Besides different sections of the Ranbir Penal code including 120B, 124 A, 153 A, 163, 295 are being practiced by law enforcing agencies to quell the separatist movement in the state. According to a leading jurist Justice (Retd) B A Kirmani, "most of the laws colliding with the fundamental rights of the citizens could be revoked by an ordinance by the governor."

There are some laws that are visibly anti-people. They have been resented not only by the separatists but also by the mainstream groups. For example, the Suppression of Sabotages Act of 1960 can invoke death sentence if a person is found involved in an activity of "sabotage". And the most dangerous part of it is that this can be invoked retrospectively, which means if an offence can be traced to have been committed in 1947 the accused could be tried under the same law notwithstanding its promulgation in 1960.

According to the experts unlike in other Indian states the J&K governor enjoys a unique status. "Vohra wields legislative powers as per state's own constitution." J&K was fully autonomous within Indian Union till mid sixties. In 1965 the nomenclature of the Sadr-e-Riyasat (President of State) was changed to establish the institution of India's Raj Bhawan but the change took place without divesting the appointed governor of the powers which in normal practice the Sadr-e-Riyasat, elected the local legislature, would enjoy.

By virtue of such a powerful constitutional position Vohra can promulgate ordinances when the two houses of the legislature are not in session. A practicing lawyer said: "We have black laws that are alienating masses because they provide impunity to the army and paramilitary. If Vohra is sincere he should begin his tenure with this important CBM and initiate the revocation of draconian laws."

These laws were imposed in Jammu and Kashmir in 1990 by the then Governor Jagmohan through an ordinance. "One major reason for NC supreme Farooq to resign in 1990 was that he was against imposition of these laws in the State. Giving special powers to the Army in 1990 became a bone of contention between Mufti, then Union Home Minister, and Farooq which led to his (Farooq's) resignation."   It is high time for these laws to go. "If in 1990 Governor could bring an ordinance to impose these laws then why cannot Governor in 2008 bring another ordinance to repeal these laws?"   

 All the black laws were enacted by the state legislatures commanded by different pro-India political parties over the past 60 years. These laws continued to be misused by different central and state security agencies that have been given a free hand by New Delhi dictators. They have no constitutional validity and are black laws. "They need to be revoked if dignity and security of the individual is to be restored", said senior counsel, Mian Abdul Qayoom, but however, maintained that the revocation of dreaded laws can in no way help restoration of the civil liberties. "The Indian troopers can kill people with or without these laws". India will continue to call itself a democracy and secular state even as thousand of innocent Kashmiris are buried, unnoticed by UN and other world bodies.

FOUR: Religious Politics

India propagates Hinduism every where in the world and wants to construct temple structures illegally. By destroying Grand Babri Mosque in UP they think they have defeated Muslims and Islam, at least in India.

Hindus wanting to create permanent rift in Jammu Kashmir are bent upon exploiting the Amarnath yatra and they want to keep it go on beyond the stipulated period of 15 days. The veteran leader Geelani said that India is "strengthening its occupation" in Kashmir under the garb of Kashmiriyat. "Our Universities and other educational institutions are being used as launching pads for ruining our culture and our identity", said Geelani. Speaking on behalf of patriotic Kashmiris, Geelani said that Kashmiris are not against yatra or Hindu religion per se. But Kashmiris are resisting Indian occupation and harassment and genocides and are demanding their birth right to self-determination as a sovereign nation. 

 Kashmiris suspect foul play by Indian government "Even in Hindu religion there is no reason for the continuation of yatra beyond 15 days" Geelani stressed. Indian double speak over religions has never been in doubt. Like the USA, India, for political and economic reasons, brand Muslims as terrorists and Islam is a religion preaching terrorism, but Hinduism, whose believers pulled down Mosques and hoisted their flags over them, are "innocent and peaceful" guys. Indian leaders and media harp on anti-Islamism and Madrassas regularly and without any shame. Geelani said that Masjids and Shrines are the centers of the movement that have got the patronage of blood and sacrifices of lakhs of people. He said, "We will not allow our centers of movement (Masjids and Shrines) to remain in the hands of traitors. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) used to manage all the military and civil affairs of the State of Madina from Masjid Nabwi only. Those who refuse to accept Islam as a complete way of life are not Muslims". Kashmiris have rejected Hinuization trends in Jammu Kashmir.

FIVE: Betrayal

There has been a general feeling among Kashmiris that the pro-India parties have betrayed them. The pro-Indian leaders, the real strength of terrorist India, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mufti Muhammad Syed and Farooq Abdullah are strengthening Indian occupation and have been deputed by New Delhi to carry forward its agenda in Jammu and Kashmir.

Opinion of patriotic Kashmiri leaders on the subject matter is awaited. However, Peoples Democratic Party Chief, Mahbooba Mufti, said the lifting of special laws was the need of the hour. "The security forces misuse authority under these laws," Mahbooba alleged. She said the recent civilian uprising in Kashmir was indicative of how much the masses were alienated from the mainstream. "If we need to regain the lost confidence we have to repeal these laws. It would be a bigger CBM," she asserted.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq termed the imposition of Governor's rule in Jammu and Kashmir as "irrelevant". Neither President's rule nor Governor's rule can influence the disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir. Mirwaiz said that Kashmiris are sacrificing their lives from 1931 and will continue to do so till they achieve their ultimate goal of freedom. Solving administrative issues is not the solution of Kashmir issue. This issue has to be solved according to the wishes and aspirations of Kashmiris. Imposition of Governor's rule is irrelevant," said Mirwaiz while addressing a Friday congregation at historical Jamia Masjid.

Accusing mainstream parties of trying to take people away from religion, freedom fighter Syed Geelani said, "They are leaving no stone unturned to sway people from the tenets of Islam to safeguard their vested interests."  Geelani asked the people to divorce pro-India political parties and boycott their anti-Kashmiri activities, including meetings and rallies. Geelani accused police of harassing youngsters and arresting them for participating in recent protests against the land transfer. He said "Police should remember that they have to answer before Almighty besides our youth cannot be suppressed with power and intimidation."

Ridiculing New Delhi's claims about carrying out development works in the Valley, Geelani said, "India annually drains 24 thousand crores from our State as tax. It is a part of New Delhi's strategy to drain us out economically. They spend less than what is being collected here and the money they spend on development is ours. We can become a developed nation immediately after we get freedom. We've got enough resources to sustain."  

 
Claims of India about normalcy being restored in the Valley were punctured after the recent mass uprising against the land transfer. If New Delhi continues to remain rigid, situation in the Valley will turn from bad to worse. Eventually victory shall be of patriotic Kashmiris.

A Word

Is the Governor's rule in Jammu Kashmir totally irrelevant as most of Kashmiris looking for some light on their decades' long freedom movement think? Will the Indian terrorist forces continue to keel the freedom seeking Kashmiris as before without any hindrance? Or will the new incumbent in Srinagar Governor's bungalow consider serious the decades' long aspirations of Kashmiris and recommend to Indian government and president of India to surrender sovereignty back to Kashmiris and withdraw the forces in a time-bound schedule? Will India, after all genocide and other forms of brutality in JK, at least now let the remaining Kashmiris in peace? Governor Vohra should have an answer too. Hopefully, a positive one!