This refers to the article “Quit Kashmir to Quiet Kashmir” by Firdous Syed (GK Dec 11). I agree with the author that we have to frame a strategy which will help us break oppression once and for all. Freedom movements are not only fought with conventional methods but we have to discover non-conventional methods to reach out to the world community in general and the people of India in particular. After 9/11 the world hardly differentiates between freedom movement and terrorism. I disagree with Firdous Syed on the point that that the recent mass movement was chaotic and leaderless. If it was so, then why people followed resistance calendar in letter and spirit? It was first time after the Sheikh Abdullah era that people showed political maturity and faith in the leadership. It was this leadership that launched the ‘Quit Kashmir’ movement in association with the people and waged a single handed battle against the oppression. It also came up with the five point formula as a roadmap to the meaningful dialogue. By saying that the hartal policy had not yielded anything but destroyed our economy and education system, I think the author wants us to fight for the right to self determination from drawing rooms. If hartals are not an option, what is? The recent agitations have been successful and its proof is that Kashmir issue has become the centre point of India’s diplomatic relations with so many countries like China and Iran.  First time in the history of Kashmir a delegation of Indian parliament members arrived here to build a consensus on the issue. The recent statement of Indian Home minster P Chidambaram that the political solution to the Kashmir problem may emerge soon is positive sign.

Mir Liyaqat Nazir
Muran, Pulwama
mirliyaqat101@gmail.com

Lastupdate on : Sun, 19 Dec 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
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