Srinagar, Feb 14: Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik Sunday said that Maqbool Bhat is an inspiration for all freedom fighters across the globe. He was speaking while releasing a book on Maqbool Bhat at a function here.
 “I’ve never limited Shaheed Maqbool Sahib to JKLF only. He is an inspiration for freedom fighters across the globe. When he was hanged, nobody wrote on it, as he was the only Kashmiri whose killing was accepted by the Indian State. This is the reason that in last 26 years no seminar was held on him,” Malik said while addressing the gathering of intellectuals and mediamen.
 “Maqbool Sahib was an advocate. But despite that even Bar Association never organised any seminar in his memory. Indian Prime Minister and Parliament accepted his murder,” he said.
 Lashing out at those who label people on the basis of their ideologies, Malik said, “If someone doesn’t like India he is labeled as Pakistani agent, one who doesn’t like Pakistan is Indian agent and who doesn’t like both is labeled as double-agent. Maqbool Sahib was labeled as double-agent as he gave a dream to Kashmiris. The dream wasn’t only freedom from occupational forces, but to think freely about themselves.”
 “He gave transparent message to India and Pakistan and asked them to give Kashmiris right to think and live. That was his only sin for which he was labeled as double-agent,” he added.
 On 1975 Indira-Sheikh Accord, Malik said, “When the Accord happened, Maqbool Sahib said that no leader can save the movement now and it is only a soldier who can save it by sacrificing his life. When Maqbool Sahib was leading Plebiscite Front movement in PaK, Dr Farooq Abdullah (former Chief Minister and Union Minister) pledged allegiance to him.”
 Reminding his arrest in August 1990, the JKLF chairman said, “When I was taken to Tihar Jail I broke down due to severe torture. A cop there told me that they had heard that I’m from Maqbool Bhat’s party. He described Maqbool Sahib as Baghwan (god) and asked me why I’ve broken down and I must have courage like Bhat.”
 Malik said that whosoever talks for Kashmiris becomes controversial. “State isn’t with him who talks for rights of Kashmiris. Even after one lakh sacrifices our thinking is still rented thinking. No one talks about the rights of Kashmiris.”
 On peace process between India and Pakistan, Malik said, “We aren’t against the institution of dialogue. But are Kashmiris only to give sacrifices? We have right to ask both India and Pakistan as what they are talking. India and Pakistan should not announce the future of Kashmiris on radio and TV.”
 He urged Kashmiris to stand on their feet. “Kashmir was spiritual land. Now we have vandalised our forests, agriculture and wetlands.”
 Malik praised the efforts of the author of the book “Roshni Ka Shaheed-e-Awwal” written by JKLF media in-charge, Muhammad Hussain Altaf. “It is only due to efforts of Altaf sahib that book on Shaheed Maqbool could be written.”
 Senior counsel Advocate Zaffer Ahmad Shah said that Bhat accepted gallows for the independence of Kashmir. “Shaheed Maqbool didn’t fight for any party but for the whole nation. Despite being from a poor family he sacrificed his everything for the nation,” he added.
 Noted columnist Z G Muhammad said it would be wrong to say that Bhat was a non-entity before ’90. “For his being a founding member of Plebiscite Front in PaK, he was known to Kashmiri leadership right from Sheikh Abdullah to an ordinary Front worker.”
 “I first learnt about him during my college days because one of our teachers- Prof M Amin Andrabi- was arrested with him. My other teacher Father Mcmohan who was Bhat’s teacher also told me that he was one of his brightest students,” he added.
 The Jamaat-i-Islami spokesman Advocate Zahid Ali termed Bhat as hero of Millat-e-Islami. “He sacrificed his life for the freedom of nation. His sacrifice is beacon light for the nation.”
 Former Bar Association president, Advocate Nazir Ahmad Ronga said that Maqbool Bhat started fight for freedom when no one had concept of freedom. “He rejected all offers and accepted gallows for the future of nation.”
 Renowned medico, Dr Ghulam Qadir Allaqaband said, “There is need for unity to save Kashmir and follow the foot steps of Maqbool Bhat.”
 Senior separatist leader, Moulana Abdullah Tari said that Bhat was hanged for demanding freedom. “His sacrifice paved way for people to demand freedom.”
 Human rights activist, Engineer Abdul Majeed Mattu said best way to pay tributes to Bhat was to carry on his mission. “He symbolizes the movement and we have to take care of it.”
 Awami Action Committee delegation led by Advocate Shahid-ul-Islam was also present on the occasion.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 14 Feb 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 14 Feb 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 15 Feb 2010 00:00:00 IST