By Dr Toqeer Gilani
In Jammu and Kashmir, the majority of its people find themselves trapped in a peculiar confusion when it comes to expressing their aspirations for freedom.
While this confusion might have been inevitable in the past due to certain compelling circumstances, it has now become a ludicrous and perilous act to turn this confusion into a national narrative or a practical approach. Astonishingly, even today, numerous freedom-loving leaders and activists, alongside the general public, engage in perplexing, convoluted, and uninformed discussions regarding the issue of Jammu Kashmir’s freedom.
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In the current circumstances, certain fundamental truths need to be understood not only by the freedom enthusiasts but also by the general public, and they must be articulated openly, clearly, and unambiguously.
Firstly, it is crucial to acknowledge that the entire State of Jammu and Kashmir is under occupation, with both India and Pakistan exerting control, and a portion of it has also been handed over to China.
Secondly, complaining or accusing Pakistan of not supporting us or abandoning us is a gross misrepresentation that has persistently occurred in the past. It is equivalent to making a mockery of our own plight. You are not mentally or emotionally accepting a country occupying your land; rather, you are considering it your savior or friend. Especially in situations where the entire history of the past 76 years is crystal clear before you, such statements amount to nothing but ignorance and acts of hostility.
Thirdly, any group or organization that collaborates with either Pakistan or India cannot be deemed a freedom-loving group or organization. It is imperative to disassociate from all such groups and organizations.
Fourthly, as a consequence of the Shimla Agreement, both India and Pakistan have transformed the issue into a bilateral matter, sidelining the need for a plebiscite. The actions taken since August 5, 2019, have further undermined the significance of United Nations resolutions.
Therefore, demanding that the issue be resolved through United Nations resolutions is an exercise in futility and simply a tactic employed by occupiers to maintain their control and sustain their interests through their machinery and beneficiaries.
Fifthly, and most importantly, as a nation, we must demand an end to all forms of occupation and strive for complete and simultaneous independence from both India and Pakistan without any historical baggage or conditionalities. The world does not need us to explain how it should treat us; it is more discerning than us, and that is why it is free. The free world will chart its own course of support for us, provided we demand freedom and present ourselves as a unified nation.
Attaining freedom is possible, and it is within reach. All we need to do is openly and unequivocally demand the complete and simultaneous withdrawal of India and Pakistan’s control and claim our rights. As long as we remain perplexed about our own issue, it will be impossible for the world to understand and support us.
In conclusion, the people of Jammu and Kashmir find themselves in a perplexing situation when it comes to expressing their aspirations for freedom.
To overcome this confusion, it is essential to recognize the occupation, dissociate from collaborating groups, reject false narratives, and demand complete and simultaneous independence. Only then can we hope to gain the support and understanding of the world in our pursuit of freedom.
