Why is the Kashmir problem ‘still in cold storage?
President: The first mistake we made was that we stopped fighting at the request of the United Nations, The Indian Government approached the United Nations and the U.N. and the world leaders promised to give us the right of self-determination so we stop fighting after 15 months.
Was it a right step to stop the fighting?
President: I think we were befooled. The struggle of Kashmiri people was purely an uprising. It ‘was not engineered by any institution or any government. Although the Indian government claims that it was Pakistan Government which started the fight in Kashmir but it is totally and historically wrong. It was the people of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) who revolted against the then state government. We simply believed in the promises made by the international leaders and promises made by the Indian and Pakistani governments that they would be fulfilled and the people of J&K would be given the right of self-determination to decide their own fate. As time passed on, the Indian government some ‘way or the other tried to ignore their own promises and the issue is still there where it was. I think we made a mistake at that time in accepting the understandings given by the U.N. We should have refused out rightly. In that case we ‘would have liberated the territory at that time itself. We had all the necessary armaments at our disposal and India was not in a position to fight with us.
In your opinion stopping the war was a mistake?
President: Yes, it was a blunder that we really committed. Ever since Pakistan has been taken hostage by India. We did not find a way out so far.
Do you think late Liaquat Ali Khan’s administration was responsible for such a situation?
President: Of course, Liaquat Ali Khan’s government was responsible. But he died. If he would have been alive, the situation might be different. He would have achieved ‘our right of self-determination long before. But unfortunately he died. Later on the circumstances took such a turn; Pakistan instead of growing stronger became weaker. This was another reason India is ignoring our demand for self-determination.
What plans do you have now?
President: The only plan is quite natural, specially when sincere and good efforts have failed, the people will take up arms to achieve their objective i.e. “Self-determination”. The people of J&K have already started their armed struggle in Kashmir. We have been trying to impress upon the government of India that there is no use in holding J&K by force no one in the world can do it no other choice except to take up the arms and they will do whatever they can.
Do you think the U.N will play an active role to solve this problem?
President: The United Nations will have to come in. Otherwise this struggle will take into its grip the whole sub-continent and whole regions peace will be affected. I think the U.N is waiting for some amount of bloodshed to take place and then only then will they intervene. I was trying to impress upon them that before the situation is taken over by militancy something should be done to appease the situation and bring about peaceful conditions in which people could exercise their right of self-determination. At the moment it seems this problem of J&K is not of a high priority on U.N agenda. It may become a high priority item for the U.N in few weeks’ time.
Do you think it is just like “Intefadah” of Palestinians?
President: We are also working as a resistance movement. We are not trying at the moment to resolve the J&K problem by force. We are using force as a means of exercispressure. Infect, we started our long before the Intefadah took in Palestine. But “Intefadah” was taken seriously vehemently and supported by almost entire world community whereas the J&K struggle could not muster world support so far. I think the resistance movement is the proper way.
Why is the attitude of Government of Pakistan towards the resistance movement in J&K?
President: The present government in Pakistan seems to be on the border line. Bhutto Administration is not clear in their minds, they are thinking in both ways. If there is a peaceful solution it is alright. If not, they cannot do much about it. We are not happy with the present government in Pakistan as far as the J&K issue if concerned.
What will you do to convince the present Government in Pakistan?
President: We are trying to lobby around in Pakistan to mold the public opinion. Today public opinion is very favorable and the pressure can easily be felt by various statements of the present government,
In the presence of “Simla Agreement” how can Pakistan be an active partner with you in your struggle?
President: You see “Simla Agreement” does not stop Pakistan from going to the United Nations. It is only a vague interpretation made by one party and it is one sided. There is no clause in the Simla Agreement which bars the Pakistan government from going the UN. The issue of J&K is still on U.N agenda. Pakistan government is free to act in this direction.
It seems Pak Government is not willing to take this issue to the U.N. Do you have any other alternative?
President: The alternative is that we are lobbying around the world and the situation in Indian held Kashmir is aggravating every day. This kind of situation calls for some action by the parties concerned. Because it will put the whole sub-continent on volcano. The Secretary General of the United Nations is also compelled under Clause 99 of the U.N Charter to take action without reference to any U.N member country or Na and this can be invoked.
How do you like to request the government to hand over J&K to Karan Singh a legal heir of the of Jammu and Kashmir?
President: We put this question to the people of J&K. Let them decide their own fate whether they want to accede to India or Pakistan or whatever they want. The United Nations is committed through the January 5th resolution to give the right to the people of J&K either accedes to Pakistan or India. Third option is not available to us.
There is no question of giving Kashmir back to Dr. Karan Singh. Only Kashmiri people will decide whether to join India or Pakistan.
After meeting with people at different levels in the United States, do you have any hope that this question will come up in the U.N or U.S will take some action immediately?
President: The United States Administration will not take any immediate action but the U.S. cannot stay unconsumed. The British Parliament has been taking notice of the Kashmir issue. Thirty members of Parliament have already formed a private committee to solve this problem. Similarly in the U.S. same thing can be done when situation aggravates in J&K. Immediately I do not expect them to do anything. My feelings are that the US citizens are broadminded people and they are not prejudiced by politics, lobby and propaganda. What is right can be conveyed to them. They will try to understand and definitely they will appreciate.
Can you name some British Parliamentarians who have given you ‘support?
President: There is a committee of (30) members headed by Sir Gerald Van, former minister and a prominent Conservative and very influential in Britain.
Do you think V.P. Singh Prime Minister of India will be helpful?
President: Mr. V.P Singh is in difficult position himself. At the moment whether he will make any change in the policy towards Kashmir is yet to be seen. But the question is whether the policy makers of India will allow him or not. It is not an easy manner. Mr. Singh has to act as Mr. Gorbachev of USSR to take drastic measures. That we have to wait and see.
How do you see Sikh people’s struggle in India to cede from India?
President: I think the Sikhs have a cause of their own, which cannot be mixed up with the cause of the people of J&K. The fate of Kashmir has not been decided. It is under dispute whereas Sikhs have different cause. They are creating a new situation in which we do not know whether they will succeed or not. For us Kashmir is forcibly occupied by India. It was never a part of India. So the dispute has to be solved separately on its own merit.
Do you think that there is some kind of understanding between the Sikh people of Kashmir and the Sikh people of India?
President: I do not mind to have some kind of understanding and relationship.
Do you have any contacts with the ‘Sikh leadership in the U.S?
President: No. We did not make any contact as yet.
You are in “Azad Kashmir” and struggle is going on in Indian Kashmir. How can you coordinate in the presence of Indian and Pakistani army on the border?
President: We are in a position to do that. When the situation aggravates further and when it becomes uncontrollable, then it will not be possible to control the people of “Azad Kashmir” from crossing the border. In that case it will be much bigger thing than what the people expect.
If the Pakistan Government stops you, what will happen?
President: Even then the Government of Pakistan cannot stop us. They cannot stop three million people when they want to take some action.
(Courtesy The Minaret).
Article extracted from this publication >> February 2, 1990
