What General Musharraf is suggesting, is in fact, lacking in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Gilgit and Baltistan, where people have been deprived of their fundamental rights; where daily misfeasance grows and the authoritarian rule prevails. God forbid, if such plans, conceived in the US, are implemented, it will only lead to anarchy in the sub-continent.

Musharraf is not above board while forwarding such dim-witted suggestions. Barring a faction of the Hurriyat Conference and a few secessionist outfits, who have not rejected his pranks? The moderate leadership of the Hurriyat, led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, is not the sole agency to talk on behalf of Kashmiris. There are other political organisations and well-meaning associations, whose wishes have to be ascertained, if needed at all; but it can be only under the safeguards of the Indian constitution.

The Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), led by pro-independence Yaseen Malik, has rejected the suggestion. Omar Abdullah, heading the National Conference, has pooh-poohed the suggestion as of no use, saying his party does not want to go beyond its demand for greater autonomy.

Panun Kashmir, a frontline organisation of Kashmiri Hindu Pandits, has also rejected the ‘self-rule’ and ‘demilitarization’ proposal. It has, inter alia suggested ‘internal reorganisation’ of Jammu and Kashmir, under which, the state is to be divided into four parts, including the ‘union territory of Panun Kashmir’ in the Kashmir valley.

Musharraf’s proposal is in fact the brainchild of the US-based ‘Kashmir Study Circle Group’. It is a variant of the Dixon formula, which seeks gradual withdrawal of the Indian sovereignty over Jammu and Kashmir. “The proposal is being flaunted in a way, as if Jammu and Kashmir is under a colonial rule”, says Panun Kashmir Chairman Ajay Chrangoo.

The Mirwaiz is even supportive of the US-emanated formula of ‘United States of Kashmir’. He is indulging in Quixotic dreams, without caring to understand that such lose talks will jeopardize the Indian position in Jammu and Kashmir.

When Pakistan has not even granted full freedom and democracy to its own citizens, can it be expected to lay off and allow self-rule in the occupied territory? Pakistan has no locus standi in Jammu and Kashmir. It does not officially consider Jammu and Kashmir to be part of either India or Pakistan, but lays claim on PoK and Northern Areas, which are part of the undivided state.

What does self-rule mean? Broadly speaking, it envisages a separate government, a separate constitution and a separate flag for five regions to be carved out of the undivided state. The regions are: Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Northern Areas (presently under illegal occupation of Pakistan), Kashmir valley, Ladakh and Jammu.

Since its accession to India, Jammu and Kashmir has a separate constitution and a separate flag --‘halwala janda’ (red flag as its base and a plough-share embossed over it) There has always been an elected government since Sheikh Abdullah was installed as the state’s first Prime Minister.

How is Musharraf’s formula going to help Kashmiris, enjoying limited autonomy, under article 370 of the Indian constitution? If his grand ideals are implemented, there will be anarchy. Such increasing demands in the rest of the country will have a cascading effect in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and elsewhere in South Asia.

Ipso facto, this is what the foreign forces want; instability, chaos, turmoil, and for that matter Musharraf is rendering a yeoman service to George Bush, who feels pretty happy at the end of the year in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Baluchistan is already on the boiling point. The region, half of the size of entire Pakistan, is on the verge of separation. Musharraf’s eagerness to contain India by advocating such redundant suggestions will boomerang on Pakistan.

What he is demanding smacks of colonialism. What he is espousing is designed at destabilising India and Pakistan, and in the process, it will lead to fragmentation of the neighbouring countries.

While Pakistan has resorted to military crack-down in Baluchistan, it is advising India to demilitarize in Kashmir, where New Delhi is combating Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, which has now enveloped the entire country. The dreaded militant organization Lashkar-e-Toiba is responsible for recent terror attack in Bangalore, in which a scientist was killed.

LeT mentor Hafiz Mohammad Sayeed has threatened to extend ‘jihad’ in all parts of India, besides Jammu and Kashmir. LeT is close to Pakistan Army. Other terrorist outfits like Al Qaeda operating in Pakistan, have threatened to blow up Indian Parliament. Terrorism and demilitarization cannot go side by side, as per the wishes of Musharraf.

While India is just asking Pakistan to exercise restraint in Baluchistan which is demanding independence, Musharraf is indirectly blaming India for causing 'subversion' in Baluchistan and describing New Delhi’s concern as ‘intriguing’. “We know who is financing and supplying them weapons”, says Musharraf. Troops can be demobilized in Kashmir only when the valley is free from terrorism. Unless it actually happens, talks will remain meaningless.

People of India and Pakistan ought to rise in unison and make a rebuttal of such persistent demands. People in the subcontinent should rise like a wall and exhibit a feeling of togetherness to keep at bay the forces of destabilization.

Mrs Indira Gandhi was the only leader who used to caution people against such forces. But she was not taken seriously.

The rub is, Pakistan lacks genuine democracy. Opposition, if any, is in dire straits.


Courtesy : Syndicate Features

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