Press Release

New Delhi 10.9.2008.

“Real Democracy in India, includes Freedom for Kashmiris” was the topic of a discussion at a public meeting at Rajendra Bhawan on 9th September 2008, organized by Janahastakshep, PUCL, PUDR and Dr. Rajendra Prasad Academy. It was attended by intellectuals, students, human rights activists, political activists and working class leaders. The presidium consisted of Gautam Navlakha (PUDR), George Matthews (PUCL) and Pankaj Singh (Janhastakshep).

Noted Columnist Prem Shankar Jha insisted that the economic blockade of the Valley  and the complicity of the Indian state in failing to protect the rights of Kashmiris, was an act of war against the people of the Valley and he held Manmohan Singh and NSG advisor MK Narayanan responsible for the terror and horror of armed occupation of Kashmir. Former Chief Justice Delhi High Court and former President of PUCL Rajendra Sachar insisted that there have been repeated human rights violations in the Valley and the only solution to the Kashmir issue is by allowing the Kashmiri people to handle their own affairs. Noted Journalist Jawed Naqvi said it is a important to expose the myth that freedom for Kashmir would lead to a backlash on Muslims elsewhere in India, since it has never taken a Kashmir for pogroms against Muslims to happen, mere accusations are enough and he affirmed that the only way to protect minorities is to strengthen the progressive forces of resistance. Dr. Aparna [secy., Delhi Committee CPI(ML)New Democracy] held that Indian rulers have refused to uphold the commitment given by Nehru Govt. for a referendum to settle the future of J &K and in fact the Govts. of India have ruled this region mainly through the army for past 61 years. GN Saibaba of RDF talked about the historicity of the Kashmiri struggle and the need to support and respect it as a national liberation struggle away from the discourse of “autonomy” or “terrorism”. Filmmaker Sanjay Kak lamented the absence of any serious consistent media coverage of the Valley and he decried the layers of censorship being imposed by those in power and by those who control the media. Writer Arundhati Roy, spoke about the blatant genocide being committed in the Valley while the government and Human Rights activists quibble about what constitutes a “genocide”. Academician, SAR Geelani spoke against the systematic disinformation campaign against Kashmir which has been spread by the government in collusion with the media; that Kashmir is an integral part of India, which it never was, while calling the movement for Azaadi a “separatist” movement.

This meeting was held against the background of over two month long agitation and counter agitation in Kashmir and Jammu which brought home the Indian state's precarious hold over J&K. In just four days on August 11-14  Indian security forces shot dead thirty two people  in Kashmir valley. The Valley saw lakhs of people coming out to protest against the blockade and for their inalienable right to exercise the right of self-determination. The people of the state groan under draconian laws like AFSPA, Disturbed Areas Act, PSA etc. and unarmed people are fired upon. Despite the unprecedented violence against the protestors in Kashmir their quest for ‘azadi’ from Indian Union remained non-violent. 

The speakers unanimously exposed the agitation in Jammu, spearheaded by BJP and Congress which conducted an essentially an anti-Muslim agitation while the two leading parties competed with each other in harnessing majority Hindu chauvinism. Their top leaders in Jammu participated in blockade while the Congress led UPA went into a denial mode on the fact of blockade despite extensive proof of the same. The economic blockade which severely affected the life in the valley imperiled the right to life of people in the valley and the message conveyed was that Indian State was unmindful of even the physical well-being of the people in Kashmir.

The speakers also held that the agreement reached between the Jammu based agitation and the Indian government, through its Governor, is an appeasement of the Hindutva forces. This appeasement was compounded by the blood-letting in the Valley resulting in death of 50 and injury to more than 2000 persons. Moreover, repression is back in vogue and security forces are singling out local leaders in the villages with arrests, beating, booking some under PDA of J&K, Public Safety Act and filing of more than 250 cases. In contrast, as part of the agreement with the agitators in Jammu persons charged with various violent acts have been allowed to go scot free and may in fact, as part of the deal struck, be provided with compensation. The speakers condemned the Indian state’s approach of military suppression accompanied by politics of manipulation and empty promises or though an election process which severely lacks credibility.

The speakers stressed that erosion of Article 370 along with India and Pakistan back tracking from their commitment to refer the matter to the people of J&K has been a major reason for the irresolution of the dispute for over 61 years. They also opined that massive and peaceful outpouring on the streets of Srinagar and elsewhere in Kashmir ought to be met with meaningful political dialogue. For this dialogue to be meaningful it ought to revolve around the right to self-determination of the people of J&K. The meeting unanimously passed a resolution holding that respecting the democratic aspirations of the people of J&K  including their right to self-determination is the only way forward.

 JANHASTAKSHEP      PUCL     PUDR      Dr. RAJENDRA PRASAD ACADEMY