WSN special
UNION CITY: Protestors outnumbered participants five to one at an FIA (Federation of Indian Americans) and Indo-American Kashmir sponsored Symposium on Minorities and Human Rights which was held Sunday Nov. 1Sat the Holiday Inn in Union City. Inside speakers “preached to the choir” as the “closed symposium” was without benefit of opposing views or audience participation. Fundamentalist’s fears were inflamed as the plight of the Hindu minority in Kashmir was chronicled. “India for Hindus and Hindus for India” was one of the chauvinistic statements made by featured guest professor Balraj Madhok. Protestors challenged the closed symposium whose organizers had refused entry or participation by others equally concerned with the state of Kashmir and Kashmiris. The nonprofit status of the FIA was questioned as many saw this symposium as a facade for BJP Hindu propaganda.
Kashmiri protestors who were interviewed on the spot offered their insights into the complex and contentious issues. Honest admissions regarding the unfortunate victims of the civil war were made and the suffering of the Pandits was not disputed. What is in dispute is the heart and soul of Kashmir.
Mr. Agha Syeed signaled his anger and frustration at the FIA for misusing its nonprofit status to politicize and propagandize against his interest. He questioned the organizations use of the word “symposium” saying that symposium means “to drink together and “by implication drinking together at a fountain of knowledge” which a closed symposium was not.
His historical analysis questioned the premise that “Kashmir was an integral part of India.” The UN has 12 resolutions and three Security Council resolutions on Kashmir. Specifically UN #4748 in April 1948 directed a plebiscite for a choice between India and Pakistan. This system for solving the problem is recognized by world bodies. India leaders were committed to a plebiscite until 1957 which Nehru promised.”
“When Indians deny this promise they are calling Nehru a liar.” And well before Nehru in 1922 the Muslim conference of Kashmir had reconvened as the National Conference 6f Kashmir and entered in to a “secular bargain” with India.
Mr. Syeed accused India of fundamentalism saying that there are Hindu temples in public places such as police stations and the government controlled media bread casts Hindu scriptures regularly “This is not the action of a secular “state.”
Acknowledging that excesses* may have been committed Syeed distanced himself from such disgraceful acts. But he quickly pointed out the difference between single incidents and “state sponsored” terrorism. When a government uses its power to “disrupt the established order and impose economic sanctions the misconduct of the state cannot be compared with the misconduct of an individual If the government uses the argument that: “the other side is doing it” then the government admits it is nothing more than a common criminal.
India thinks that with the stroke of a pen people become Hindu which the state sponsored religion
“This is Religious fascism. Attempts to point the Pandits as victims will not go unchallenged In the US there are750000 Hindus but there are six million Muslims” ready to take up this challenge.
Hindu pundits are paying the price of tit for tat actions of the Central Government against other minorities in India. As the rights of others are crushed and future generations denied homelands and heritage rebellious factions in Jammu and Kashmir are lashing out at the captive minority whose fate is inextricably linked to the history of false promises and punitive measures undertaken by Nehru and the Gandhi’s.
Perhaps they are considered expendable by the central government As such the Pandits have seen their homes attacked by Islamic fundamentalists who have waged a “Jihad” or holy war against those who subscribe to different beliefs. As each side casts blame on the other innocent victims are found in both camps and anger and frustration festers among the grief as the central government answers citizens demands with curfews censorship and corrupt security in placements.
Kashmiri American protestor Tasneem Khan of the Kashmiri Human Rights Foundation indicated her sympathy for the suffering that goes all around during a civil war. “Innocents are the victims of politics. But we have asked for documentation of Pandit claims and we have seen nothing.”
“Kashmir has waited 40 years for India to honor Nehru’s word. Yet the government refuses” The will of the people will triumph she noted “It is merely a question of time.”
Using the protest as a forum to say that his organization was ended Shami H.Zaidi Muslim founder of the Pak Indian friendship Society registered his disappointment at the failure of symposium organizers to allow discourse. Instead he said “This is Indian propaganda not a symposium. They are only telling one side of the story.”
“The FIA is well organized but it doesn’t represent the majority of Indian Americans and the Indian government should get the message. Hindus have imported a subcontinent problem. The FIA is using the misguided book of the BJP for its philosophy” he felt Kashmir should be open to Constitutional Debate Shimla is not enough.
Pandits many of whom are seen as traitors to their Kashmir roots see salvation in the Indian army which most other Kashmiris view as an army of occupation. Open alliances with the army are seen by Kashmiri Muslims as “collaborating” with the enemy and justification for militant acts. Looking to the state for religious support has proved fruitless. Meanwhile the Pandit brethren in refugee camps are ignored by the very government that they have been loyal to Should not the question of misplaced loyalty be asked? Where does Pandit sympathy lie? With 5000 years in Kashmir or 40 years of Indian rule? Unlike the Punjab whose riches the government is slowly but surely stealing Kashmirs economic value is scant its people and problems far from Delhi power centers. Its bureaucrats are serving hardship terms in the “Siberia” of political outposts.
Local politicians were no shows but BJP apologist Mahdok made grandiose claims of Hindu supremacy.“Other minorities will be crushed” he stated. “If Hindus are not safe in Kashmir then Muslims living in other parts of India should be afraid” he said as the slogans of the protestors were heard in the hall Madhoks words sounded like idle threats. “You can ignore Muslims but not Hindus in India It is our time now.” His rightwing solution to the dispute was simple “The Kashmir problem can be solved within days “saying “if I was in charge we would shoot and kill everyone who is protesting against India.” “The Kashmir problem is not solved because India is of two minds.”
He blamed Nehru and Gandhi for problems they created with their double standard for Hindus.” Blame was also heaped on Pakistan “Pak has no claim on J&K. They are interfering in India’s affairs and I predict their breakdown.”
A large Sikh contingent was in evidence and even the Mr.Hiradal of the FIA said that this symposium was not a forum to discuss Sikh claims or the Punjab but he acknowledged that all Kashmiris were grateful for the Sikhs Gurus who had been past allies.
Dr. Amarjit Singh prominent Sikh and Director of Khalistan Affairs Center told reporters that Sikhs were forced to protest against the “hypocritical actions of the Indian govt.”
Kashmir and Khalistan are linked he said because both populations want freedom. India is doomed because it is a false union. There are 20 nationalities in the subcontinent and their aspirations for autonomy cannot be denied forever.
“Kashmiris and Sikhs are willing to debate these issues openly” said Dr. Amarjit. Plans are now being made for a Kashmiri sponsored symposium in January unlike the supposedly “International” symposium we have witnessed today everyone will be welcome to come and share his ideas.
Dr. Amarjit Singh thanked participants who had come from the Bay Area Live Oak and Yuba City for their attendance and the Fremont Gurdwara Sahib which generously provided the langar.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 27, 1992
