Hartals and Curfews run against the very spirit of a democratic and developed society. Observing  Hartal is a way of protest against harsh actions of a ruling class over a ruled people. It is a democratic right and has to be responded to in a democratic way. Imposing curfews over such protests is undemocratic and unjustified. It is a harsh way to suppress the demand of the ruled people and alienates people from ruling class.

Imposition of curfews over protesting people is counter productive, even if it silences the protesters for the time being but is not final solution to the problem. It is an inimical approach to the problem and adds to the alienation of people.

Kashmir has been facing unrest and people have been protesting against killing of innocent youths for the last two months demanding final solution to the problem of Jammu & Kashmir which has been hanging unsettled for the last more than sixty years. They commit no sin in making such demands from India which is committed to settle the issue in accordance with the will of the people. So reminding the Indian administration of fulfilling this commitment Kashmiris do not deserve to be treated harshly and eliminated from this globe. This fact cannot be denied that India has possessed Jammu & Kashmir by force and has been strengthening its hold through military might. The present unrest is not a handiwork of any external agency but it is indigenous in itself. It is rooted in history when Kashmir lost its independent status to forces of Akbar, the third Mughal ruler of India who got it in a deceitful manner. Kashmir had enjoyed an independent status for centuries together and never formed a part of subcontinent of India. It was known as Mulki Kashmir. Kashmiris have never surrendered before any alien or invader. They have been a valiant force and have earned a name of being a martial race. Akbar’s forces were twice ruthlessly defeated by valiant Kashmiri forces and it was only when internal political situation got disturbed because of wrong policies of Chaks that forced some Kashmiri leaders to seek Akbar’s intervention to settle the matters right. Akbar took advantage of this situation and deceitfully laid his hands on Kashmir which action was resented by Kashmiris and they offered resistance but could not succeed. History has it, that even  Alexander’s forces have not dared to invade Kashmir. It is from here that  Kashmiris have been struggling to gain this independent status again and for this aim they have offered lacks of lives so far. An organized struggle for freedom started in 1931 with the establishment of Reading Room party which later on morphed into a full blown movement for the liberation of Kashmir.

Analysing the present situation the people of Jammu & Kashmir find themselves still enslaved to a nation to whom Jammu & Kashmir has been offered on a platter. The aim of struggle that began in 1931 was to liberate this state from autocratic rule of Dogras and to establish an independent and democratic Jammu & Kashmir. The martyrs of 1931 did not lay down their lives for sell out of Kashmir to another alien ruler nor did they sacrifice themselves for transferring power to a particular family or organization. The Kashmir leadership had not been given mandate to decide Jammu & Kashmir’s future unitarily. The political scenario of world changed due to world war 2nd, India got partitioned and Kashmir leadership failed to honour the aspirations and sacrifices of the people and instead of fulfilling its promises Kashmir leadership made a sell out of this state to India through an instrument called Instrument of Accession. It was made conditional and final settlement was subject to the will of the people of Jammu & Kashmir through free and fare referendum. Indian leadership has made commitments on it and promised to the people to go by that commitment. It has also taken its stand on its fulfillment in the U.N.O. But with the  passage of time Indian leadership has resorted to  foul-play to continue its hold illegally and unconstitutionally.

It has adopted all oppressive and repressive measures which has cast lacks of lives so far.  In view of all this, can peace be made possible in this state unless the rare issue is addressed. Talking of restoration of peace in the state is an absurd statement and eyewash to the world. It is in the interests of India to see the merit of the problem and address it according to the wishes and aspirations of the people of Kashmir.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 22 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
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