Ramanisblog

Tag: Kashmir issue

  • Pakistan’s Illegal Attempt to Swallow Gilgit Baltistan

    I have received a message from my friend Daniel Dragomirescu,Romanian writer and journalist, born in Bucharest, a Humanist and a part of Contemporary literary Horizon,an International Literary Magazine.

    Gilgit Baltistan Map.
    Gilgit Baltistan Map.

    He has forwarded me a  write-up from Manzoor Hussain Parwana is the Chairman of Gilgit Baltistan United Movement.

    Mr.Manzoor Hussain Parwana highlights the illegal attempts of Pakistan to implicate Gilgit Balistan to Kashmir Problem and all the parties in Pakistan work in tandem to subdue the National spirit of these Gilgit Baltistan people.

    While every one knows that Pakistan is trying hard to divert its people’s attention to Kashmir and gain Internationalise  this issue, of

    no avail now,the issue of Gilgit Baltistan is being kept under the wraps

    Moreover Pakistan wants to use this issue as a bargain chip with China.

    In the process the cries of the people remain unheard.

    What India does is likely to affect these people.

    Time India took it own stand instead of reacting to US and China.

    This is the write-up from Mr.Manzoor Hussain Parwana.

    ”

    BACKDROP:

    – The clash of interests can be won through power, whereas the conflict of ideologies has to be ascended by means of wisdom. Galileo’s head was chopped, on stating that the world is circular but later he proved to be correct. Similarly; perhaps if someone says today that Gilgit Baltistan will be the independent state of tomorrow on Galileo’s round planet, he will meet a similar fate. Besides, Gilgit Baltistan is a significant strategic crossroad country of the world, spreading over twenty eight thousand square miles of area situated in the midst of four nuclear powers of the world. This important region between CAR (Newly Independent Central Asian Republics), China, Pakistan and India is also known as the roof of the world. The three highest and mightiest mountain ranges of the world i.e. Karakoram, Hindukush and Himalaya also join hands here. Furthermore, this land is the focus of attention of tourists and adventurers; world over. In addition to this the said country is extensively rich in mineral wealth and immense natural resources. The increasing interest of USA, the development activities of His Highness Prince Karim Agha Khan, rising yearn of the people for independence and the developing activities of religious parties and Jehadi organizations are giving birth to notions at international level of Gilgit-Baltistan emerging as an independent country on the map of the world. In this context, initially the speculations of an Agha Khan Ismaili State consisting of areas of Gilgit Baltistan and Chitral, American Colony and of an Independent State have attracted attention of the people interested in Gilgit-Baltistan and thus are enhancing their curiosity. In the ensuing research work, the writer has endeavored to briefly present the various aspects and consequent possibilities of the rapid changing geo-political environments, by keeping in mind the interests and emotions of the people of Gilgit Baltistan; so as to keep them alert to wisely face the emerging conditions.

    –       FIFTH PROVINCE OF PAKISTAN:

    –        In accordance with the basic UNCIP Resolution of 13 August 1948, Supplementary UNCIP Resolution of 5 January 1949, internationally accepted maps and Supreme Court of Pakistan decisions; Gilgit-Baltistan is a part of the Kashmir Dispute. This region was temporarily handed over to Pakistan for administrative ease as a result of Karachi Agreement of 28 April1949. The Govt of Pakistan wanted to and still wants that these areas be made permanent part and parcel of the State of Pakistan but ironically it is facing great political and legal difficulties in this context. In the international scenario; legally, geographically and constitutionally, these areas are very clearly not part of Pakistan. Despite all these proven ground realities, some political parties are demanding that this region be declared as the fifth province of Pakistan; which is merely a baseless propaganda ploy aiming at keeping the people aloof from political struggle. These political parties are insisting on this illogical and foolish demand, either being politically naïve/ immature or ignorant of the geographical conditions and the fact that Gilgit-Baltistan is not legal part of Pakistan and the state which is not part of any county, then how come that state can be a province of that country? Secondly these people are at the height of materialism or enemy of the masses who want to mislead the simple people and keep them away from their right by plotting the drama of fifth province. Till Kashmir dispute is not resolved, Gilgit Baltistan is neither able to become a part of Pakistan nor province, because if Govt of Pakistan makes the mistake of correcting the legal setup of Gilgit-Baltistan, then the Kashmir Problem will be disturbed. There is no doubt that 2 millions deprived masses of Gilgit and Baltistan are restless to come out from the dark nights of 56 years of slavery and injustice to the bright day because new generation doesn’t wants to repeat old historical folly again.

    –       SHIA STATE:

    –        The Iranian Islamic Revolution has made deep and long lasting effects on the society of Gilgit- Baltistan. The main cause of which are the Shia ulemas and students who are associated with the religious institutes of Qom and Mashad. The Shia community of Gilgit-Baltistan has passionate association with Islamic Revolution of Iran. The practical demonstration of this passionate association can be seen off and on. Inspite of the rallies and demonstrations in favor of Iran and against its political opponents, give this point more strength that there is a secret hand working for the benefit of Iran. Due to this point or fear some people develop the feeling that Gilgit-Baltistan will become a Shia State. People believe that ideal personality of Imam Khomeini and the ideal Shia Govt of Iran is a model for the Shia community of Gilgit-Baltistan but history tells us that the passionate association of the Shia school of thought is at its own place but the Govt of Iran has nothing to do with the Shia majority areas of Gilgit-Baltistan. The proof of which is the silence of Iran over 1988 incident (killing of Shias). Being aware of this fact still some parties are afraid that if Gilgit-Baltistan will become an independent State then due to the majority of masses it will become a Shia State. But the Shia majority of Gilgit-Baltistan thinks that it will be beneficial for them to become the fifth province of Pakistan, according to them if Gilgit-Baltistan will become 5th province, it will be the province of Shia majority which will play a vital role in the protection of the rights of other Shia community of Pakistan. To give this formula a practical form, Tehrik-e- Jafria of Pakistan has been actively participating in the elections of Gilgit-Baltistan. In this era there is no chance of Gilgit-Baltistan becoming a Shia State or a Shia majority province because Shias here are not being supported by Iran and neither the world powers are in favor of such a state in this sensitive and important area.

    –

    –       UNITED KASHMIR OR SUNNI STATE:

    –        The patriotic parties of Azad Jammu and Kashmir working for the independence have this opinion that the state of Gilgit-Baltistan is the unbreakable part of Jammu Kashmir. They demand for an independent united Kashmir consisting of Jammu and Kashmir, Kargil, Ladakh and Gilgit-Baltistan. According to them this is the only solution of the problem of Kashmir and the benefit and freedom of the masses of Kashmir is that they neither become part of Pakistan or India and struggle for its own independence. The struggle of patriotic politicians of Kashmir for an independent Kashmir is getting stronger day by day on national and international level. On the other hand the Sunni school of thought, who are a majority in Kashmir, wants to liberate Indian held Kashmir and are enthusiastic in making it a part of Pakistan. According to them Pakistan is a Sunni majority state therefore the masses of the State of Kashmir should also get into this fort of Islam. They are against making Gilgit-Baltistan a part or the province of Pakistan. Firstly they want to make Gilgit-Baltistan a part of Kashmir and then Kashmir a part of Pakistan. Behind their dual policy, the role of secret agencies and their secret pursuits cannot be ignored. Therefore the Shia school of thought is afraid that if this plan will succeed then they will be deprived of their rights and the dream of Shia majority state will be shattered. This fear forces them to raise their voices against this plan. Jammat Ahle Sunnat, Ahle Hadith and Jammat-e-Islami are doing their best to join Gilgit-Baltistan with Azad Jammu and Kashmir. These Jahadi parties have their network in Gilgit-Baltistan. The Warriors and Mujahidins of these Jahadi Parties are filled with the passion of Jehad and are struggling to make Kashmir a part of Pakistan and Gilgit-Balistan a part of Kashmir. The World powers have not only taken a thorough view of the increasing activities of Mujahidins in Gilgit-Baltistan but rather being afraid of these activities, the policy makers have changed their view over the problem of Kashmir, Before the incident of 9/11, it was presumed that may be the world powers will make Kashmir an independent country but after seeing the activities of Mujahidins in the state of Kashmir they have blocked all the roads leading towards the creation of an independent State, as it would be considered a victory for these Jahadi parties. Naturally American and other important World powers will not like this idea. It appears now that America and other World powers will help in the division of Kashmir. For this purpose and to accomplish their plan, their eyes are now on Kargil, Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral.

    –        AGHA KHAN STATE:

    –        From last two or three decades, many magazines and newspapers are publishing articles and stories about the creation of an Agha Khan State consisting of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral. Many analysts and observers consider the creation of an “Agha Khan State” not impossible. The role of Agha Khan Ruler Support Program (AKRSP) cannot be ignored in giving birth to the propaganda of Agha Khan State. Right from the beginning people had this feeling that behind this social and developmental program of AKRSP, Agha Khan wanted to get hold of these areas. According to the religious leaders (Moulvies) he is trying to spoil the faith of people and to support this idea, the Shia and Sunni leaders have made speeches against AKRSP being impious. Despite, all these struggles, AKRSP gained popularity among the people and today in the development of Gilgit-Batistan the role of Agha Khan Foundation is undeniable. His Highness Agha Khan is the 49th Imam of Ismaili community and a large number of people have religious faith in Agha Khan in Gilgit-Baltistan. For these people, personality of Agha Khan; spiritually, religiously and politically is very honorable and Agha Khan is also very sympathetic and affectionate towards his followers. Agha Khan often visits these areas to remain aware of the religious and worldly problems of his followers. From all this it can be judged that there is a secret plan of making an Independent Agha Khan State consisting of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral. The keen interest of Agha Khan in Gilgit-Baltistan and because of his good relations with American and European countries it won’t be surprising if Gilgit-Baltistan will become an independent Agha Khani State.

    –       AMERICAN COLONY:

    –       After getting hold of Oil, America is now planning to get hold over water. According to the specialists ” The Third World War will be over fresh water”. Glaciers, rivers and streams of Karakorum, Hamalaya and Hindukush situated in Gilgit-Baltistan are the second big source of fresh water in the world. In order to win the war over fresh water in the near future, America has started working over plans and to make these plans successful, America’s eyes are now over Deosai Plains. In the south of Skardu Baltistan, Deosai is the highest plateau above Sea level in the world. Due to its beauty, length/width, tourism, geographical and defensive importance, America and Britain have often asked Pakistan to let them use these plains for their military purposes, but this is delayed or refused by the Pakistani Government due to the opposition and demonstrations of the local people …The situation of Deosai in Gilgit Baltistan and connection with the despute of Kashmir is helping America in clearing this obstacle. By making Kashmir an atomic flash point, Pakistan and India have opened the doors for America to interfere and now to enter Gilgit- Baltistan, America has raised the agenda of protecting water from atomic and chemical pollution. Besides Deosai, America is now in the hope to occupy Siachin, the highest battle field and Shahra-e-Resham(KKH), the ancient trading route. Gilgit-Baltistan which is full of natural resources and a paradise for tourists is now being wanted by America to make it a Tourist as well as a Free trade Zone. To step into Gilgit-Baltistan, 20 lac masses are the biggest weapon for America. It seems that America will achieve its goal by giving basic and legal rights to the masses of this area because the people of this area have been waiting since 56 years for such an angel who will free them from slavery and helplessness. America is master in these matters, as at present it has also given back snatched rights to the people of Afghanistan and Iraq and has led them to the path of democracy. The government of Pakistan and India cannot block the interference of America in Gilgit-Baltistan, because America can use the Resolution of United Nations on Kashmir dispute as a weapon. America has a valid reason to interfere in the matters of Gilgit-Baltistan by using the basic resolution of United Nation passed on 13th of August 1948, over Kashmir. Mostly it is thought that China will not tolerate the interference of America in these areas. It is a one sided thought because the interference of America in Gilgit-Baltistan does not effect China rather it will protect the interests of China, by opposing America China, cannot risk its economical interests in the world market. It is proved by a valid source that China is very suspicious about the activities and the training camps of Islamic Mujahidiens in Gilgit-Baltistan because China does not likes such activities on its border areas and if America will occupy this area China will take a sign of relief. Now, China is also afraid of the movement for the great Tibet in Baltistan. To please China, America has offered concessions in the World trade market and also regarding Hong Kong. The border benefits given to China by India in Tibet and Ladakh are a chain of this matter. To give success to their plans in near future, America and European countries have spread the network of NGO’s in Gilgit-Baltistan. The activities of some NGO’s are a source of alarm/ knell for the literate community of this area. Till now, efforts are in hand by these NGO’s so as to please this aware community so that no voice is raised against them. To smooth its ways in the near future, America can provide benefits to common people and nationalists. It is a universal truth that two million masses who are the victims of cruelty since 56 years will fight against the rule of America in these areas but it is also worth noticing that the rule of America in these areas will merely be the change of masters because these people are accustomed to celebrate slavery and change of masters. The hatred for America by religious parties is at its own place but if Dollar will replace Rayal and Tuman then new sermons will change the opinion of the masses. Now it is to be seen that how long will it take America to change Last Colony into American Colony.

    –        GILGIT-BALTISTAN STATE:

    –       The masses of Gilgit-Baltistan are desperately feeling the loss of their legal and basic rights. These days, the learned community wants to see Gilgit-Baltistan in the row of Cultured and developed countries. This community is known as Nationalists in this area, many Nationalist Parties are struggling for the rights of the masses of Gilgit-Baltistan with various motives. The motives of some parties are very clear but nothing can be said about others. The theory of all these parties towards national identity, culture, history and geography is same. In spite of unfavorable conditions, the struggle of these parties for the reformation of the national identity of the masses is increasing day by day. The new generation can foresee their bright and secure future in the Independent State of Gilgit-Baltistan. The parties with most firm and clear opinion in Gilgit-Baltistan are Balawaristan National Front (BNF), Gilgit Baltistan United Movement (GBUM), Karakuram National Movement (KNM). BNF is struggling to make an independent state consisting of Gilgit-Baltistan, Kargil, Ladakh, Chitral and Kohistan. Although GBUM is demanding to reinstate “Republic of Gilgit Baltistan “at the position of 1st November 1947.    The chairman of BNF Abula Hamid Khan and GBUM   Chairman, Manzoor Parwana were sent to prison several times on sedition charges by the govt. of Pakistan in Gilgit. Abul Hamid Khan is self exiled in Europe now a days while Manzoor Parwana is facing sedition charges in the Paksitani courts  and restricted to move abroad.

    Gilgit-Baltistan Democratic Alliance (GBDA) is the name for the union of Nationalists parties. GBDA is working for 2 objectives which are based on the reformation of national identity of the masses of Gilgit-Baltistan. This union has clear stance for an independent state of Gilgit Baltistan. Although the independent Gilgit-Baltistan is the main object of nationalist’s parties so they are facing sedition cases on raising their voices for the rights of the people.

    –       Beside these Nationalist Parties Federal Representative Parties like PPP, PML, PTI, MWM Pakistan, Jammet Ulmah Islam and Jammat-e-Islami also working in Gilgit-Baltistan and these parties are working on the motive to make Gilgit-Baltistan a Province of Pakistan or make it a part of Kashmir. These parties have the motive that the war of liberation of 1947 was fought to make Gilgit-Baltistan a part of Pakistan and the masses of Gilgit-Baltistan had voted to make it a part of Pakistan. On the contrary the Nationalist parties have this motive that the war of liberation of 1947-48 was fought for making Gilgit-Baltistan an independent state and they were succeeded. On 1 November 1947 Independent State of Gilgit-Baltistan appeared on the map of world but after 16 days Pakistan took over the charge therefore Gilgit Baltistan should be reformed. Some communities are afraid that the struggle of these nationalist parties is giving strength to other countries especially America to interfere in the matters of Gilgit Baltistan and to get its objective in the near future America can support these nationalist parties but these parties are working on their plan against making Gilgit Baltistan an American Colony or Agha Khan State. According to them, their struggle is to liberate the people of Gilgit-Baltistan from the slavery of others rather to make them slave of others because only the people of Gilgit-Baltistan have the right to rule Gilgit-Baltistan. Agha Khan State or American Colony will be a constant threat to Pakistan, India, China and Central Asian Countries. The prophecies for the future of Gilgit-Baltistan are at its peak now a day. The truth is that Gilgit-Baltistan is passing through the phase of decision-making, if the people of this area made good decisions then the future of Gilgit-Baltistan is very bright in this Global Village, otherwise the tug of war for these areas will lead the World to 3rd World War.

  • Parliament Attacker Afzal Guru On His Life ,Mission

    I am posting the article by the Executive Editor of The Caravan magazine:  He conducted this interview when he was the India reporter for the US public radio, Pacifica.

    Afzal Guru, who attacked Indian Parliament.
    Afzal Guru, who attacked Indian Parliament.

    One may notice that he has no Historical information on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, nor the Political ambition of Pakistan nor has he any regrets.

    Worse still, he does seem to talk of Freedom but seems unclear as what it means to whom or what it entails to the families of those he killed.

    The people who mastermind pick people who absolute have no knowledge of the subject.

    All the more reason that facts of Kashmir issue has to be simplified and spread among the people.

    I have posted a couple of articles in a simple form

    Story:

    The Afzal Guru Interview.

    Posted On Sunday, February 10, 2013 , Mumbai Mirror cover story

    A rusted table, and behind it, a well-built man in uniform holding a spoon in his hand. Visitors, all of them looked habituated to the procedure, queued up to open their plastic bags containing food, allowing it to be smelled, sometimes even tasted. The security man’s spoon swam through curries thick with floating grease – malai kofta, shahi paneer, aalu baingan, and mixed vegetables.

    As the visitors opened tiny bags of curries, the spoon separated each piece of vegetable from the other mechanically. After ‘frisking’ the food of a middle-aged woman, the spoon was dipped in water in a steel bowl nearby. It then moved to the plastic bags of the next person in the queue, a boy in his early teens.

    By this time, the water in the steel bowl had acquired all kinds of colours, the floating oil setting off rainbow hues in the light of the winter afternoon.

    Around 4.30 pm, it was my turn. The man left the spoon on the table and frisked my body, top to bottom, thrice, thoroughly. When the metal detector made a noise, I had to remove my belt, steel watch, and keys.

    The man on duty bearing the badge of the Tamil Nadu Special Police (TSP) looked satisfied. I was allowed to enter now. This was the fourth security drill I had to go through to get into the High Risk Ward of Prison No. 3 in Tihar Central Prison. I was on my way to meet Mohammad Afzal, one of the most talked about men in contemporary times.

    I entered a room with many tiny cubicles. Visitors and inmates were separated by a thick glass and iron grills. They were connected through microphones and speakers fixed on the wall. But the audibility was poor, and people on either sides of the glass strained their ears, touching them to the wall to listen to each other. Mohammad Afzal was already at the other side of the cubicle.

    His face gave me an impression of unfathomable dignity and calmness. He was a slight, short man in his mid-thirties, wearing a white kurta-pyjama, with a Reynolds pen in his pocket. A very clear voice welcomed me with the utmost politeness.

    “How are you, sir?”

    I said I was fine. Was I to return the same question to a man on deathrow? I was apprehensive for a second, but I did. “Very fine. Thank you sir,” he answered with warmth. The conversation went on for close to an hour, and continued a fortnight later with a second mulakat. Both of us were in a hurry to answer and ask whatever we could in the time we had. I continuously scribbled in my tiny pocket book. He seemed to be a person who wanted to say a lot of things to the world. But he often reiterated his helplessness to reach people from the current stature of ‘condemned for life’. Excerpts of the interview.

    There are so many contradicting images of Afzal. Which Afzal am I meeting? Is it? But as far as I’m concerned there is only one Afzal. That is me. Who is that Afzal?

    (A moment’s silence.)

    Afzal is a young, enthusiastic, intelligent, idealistic young man. Afzal, a Kashmiri influenced, like many thousands in the Kashmir Valley, in the political climate of early 1990s.

    Who was a JKLF member and crossed over to the other side of Kashmir, but in a matter of weeks got disillusioned and came back and tried to live a normal life, but was never allowed to do so by the security agencies, who inordinate times picked me up, tortured the pulp out of me, electrocuted me, dipped in petrol, smoked in chillies you name it.

    And falsely implicated in a case, with no lawyer, no fair trial, finally condemned to death. The lies the police told was propagated by you in the media. And that perhaps created what the Supreme Court referred to as “collective conscience of the nation”. And to satisfy that “collective conscience”, I’m condemned to death. That is the Mohammad Afzal you are meeting.

    (After a moment’s silence, he continued.)

    But I wonder whether the outside world knows anything about this.

    Can we begin with your life? Your life before the case…

    It was a turbulent political period in Kashmir when I was growing up. Maqbool Bhatt was hanged. The situation was volatile. The people of Kashmir decided to fight an electoral battle once again to resolve the Kashmir issue through peaceful means. Muslim United Front (MUF) was formed to represent the sentiments of Kashmiri Muslims for the final settlement of the Kashmir issue.

    Administration at Delhi was alarmed by the kind of support that MUF was gaining, and in the consequence, we saw rigging in the election on an unprecedented scale.

    And the leaders who took part in the election and won by a huge majority were arrested, humiliated and put behind bars. It is only after this that the same leaders gave the call for armed resistance. In response, thousands of youth took to armed revolt. I dropped out from my MBBS studies in Jhelum Valley Medical College, Srinagar.

    I was also one of those who crossed to the other side of Kashmir as a JKLF member, but was disillusioned after seeing Pakistani politicians acting the same as the Indian politicians in dealing with Kashmiris.

    I returned after few weeks. I surrendered to the security forces, and you know, I was even given a BSF certificate as a surrendered militant. I began to start life anew. I could not become a doctor but I became a dealer of medicines and surgical instruments on commission basis. (Laughs.)

    With the meagre income, I even bought a scooter and also got married. But never a day passed by without the scare of Rashtriya Rifles and STF men harassing me. If there was a militant attack somewhere in Kashmir, they would round up civilians, torture them to pulp. The situation was even worse for a surrendered militant like me. They detained us for several weeks, and threatened to implicate us in false cases and we were let free only if we paid huge bribes…

    Once, I had to bribe the security men with all that I had to escape from the Humhama STF torture camp. DSP Vinay Gupta and DSP Davinder Singh supervised the torture. One of their torture experts, Inspector Shanti Singh, electrocuted me for three hours until I agreed to pay Rs 1 lakh as bribe. My wife sold her jewelry and for the remaining amount, they sold my scooter.

    I left the camp broken, both financially and mentally. For six months I could not go outside home because my body was in such a bad shape. I could not even share the bed with my wife as my penile organ had been electrocuted. I had to take medical treatment to regain potency…

    If you could come to the case, what were the incidents that led to the Parliament attack case?

    After all the lessons I learned in STF camps, which is either you and your family members get harassed constantly for resisting, or cooperate with the STF blindly, I had hardly any options left, when DSP Davinder Singh asked me to do a small job for him. That is what he told, “a small job”. He told me that I had to take one man to Delhi.

    I was supposed to find a rented house for him in Delhi. I was seeing the man first time, but since he did not speak Kashmiri, I suspected he was an outsider. He told his name was Mohammad (Mohammad is identified by the police as the man who led the five gunmen who attacked Parliament. All of them were killed by the security men in the attack).

    When we were in Delhi, Mohammad and I used to get phone calls from Davinder Singh. I had also noticed that Mohammad used to visit many people in Delhi. After he purchased a car, he told me now I could go back and gave me Rs 35,000 saying it was a gift. And I left for Kashmir for Eid.

    When I was about to leave to Sopore from Srinagar bus stand, I was arrested and taken to Parimpora police station. They tortured me and took me to STF headquarters, and from there brought me to Delhi.

    In the torture chamber of the Delhi Police Special Cell, I told them everything I knew about Mohammad. But they insisted that I should say that my cousin Showkat, his wife Navjot, S A R Geelani and I were the people behind the Parliament attack.

    They wanted me to say this convincingly in front of the media. I resisted. But I had no option than to yield when they told me my family was in their custody and threatened to kill them. I was made to sign many blank pages and was forced to talk to the media and claim responsibility for the attack by repeating what the police told me to say…

    Rajbeer Singh allowed me to talk to my wife the next day. After the call, he told me if I wanted to see them alive I had to cooperate. Accepting the charges was the only option in front of me if I wanted to see my family alive, and the Special Cell officers promised they would make my case weak so I would be released after sometime. Then they took me to various places and showed me the markets where Mohammad had purchased different things. Thus they made the evidence for the case.

    The police made me a scapegoat in order to mask their failure to find the mastermind of the Parliament attack. They have fooled the people. People still don’t know whose idea it was to attack Parliament. I was entrapped into the case by Special Task Force (STF) of Kashmir and implicated by the Delhi Police Special Cell.

    The media constantly played the tape. The police officers received awards. And I was condemned to death.

    Why didn’t you find legal defence?

    I had no one to turn to. I did not even see my family until six months into the trial. And when I saw them, it was only for a short time in the Patiala House Court. There was no one to arrange a lawyer for me. As legal aid is a fundamental right in this country, I named four lawyers whom I wished to have defended me. But the judge, SN Dhingra, said all four refused to do the case.

    The lawyer whom the court chose for me began by admitting some of the most crucial documents without even asking me what the truth of the matter was. She was not doing the job properly, and finally she moved to defend another fellow accused. Then the Court appointed an amicus curie, not to defend me, but to assist court in the matter. He never met me. And he was very hostile and communal. That is my case, completely unrepresented at the crucial trial stage.

    What is the condition in jail?

    I’m lodged in solitary confinement in the high risk cell. I’m taken out from my cell only for a short period during noon. No radio, no television. Even the newspaper I subscribe to reaches me torn. If there is a news item about me, they tear that portion apart and give me the rest.

    Apart from the uncertainty about your future, what else concerns you the most?

    …Global developments. I took to the news of the execution of Saddam Hussain with utmost sadness. Injustice, so openly and shamelessly done. Iraq, the land of Mesopotamia, the world’s richest civilisation, that taught us mathematics, to use a 60-minute clock, 24-hour day, 360-degree circle, is thrashed to dust by the Americans…

    Which books are you reading now?

    I finished reading Arundhati Roy. Now I’m reading Sartre’s work on existentialism. You see, it is a poor library in the jail. So I will have to request the visiting Society for the Protection of Detainees and Prisoners Rights (SPDPR) members for books.

    There is a campaign in defence for you…

    I am really moved and obliged by the thousands of people who came forward saying injustice is done to me. The lawyers, students, writers, intellectuals, and all those people are doing something great by speaking against injustice. The situation was such at the beginning, in 2001, and initial days of the case that it was impossible for justice-loving people to come forward.

    When the High Court acquitted SAR Geelani, people started questioning the police theory. And when more and more people became aware of the case details and facts and started seeing things beyond the lies, they began speaking up.

    Members of your family have conflicting opinions on your case?

    My wife has been consistently saying that I was wrongly framed. She has seen how the STF tortured me and did not allow me to live a normal life. She also knew how they implicated me in the case. She wants me to see our son, Ghalib, growing up. I have also an elder brother who apparently is speaking against me under duress from the STF. It is unfortunate what he does, that’s what I can say.

    See, it is a reality in Kashmir now, what you call the counter insurgency operations take any dirty shape – that they field brother against brother, neighbour against neighbour. You are breaking a society with your dirty tricks.

    What comes to your mind when you think of your wife, Tabassum, and son, Ghalib?

    This year is the tenth anniversary of our wedding. Over half that period I spent in jail. And prior to that, many a time I was detained and tortured by Indian security forces in Kashmir. Tabassum witnessed both my physical and mental wounds. Many times I returned from the torture camp, unable to stand, all kinds of torture… She gave me hope to live. We did not have a day of peaceful living. It is the story of many Kashmiri couples…

    What do you want him to grow up as?

    Professionally, if you are asking, a doctor. Because that is my incomplete dream. But most importantly, I want  him to grow without fear. I want him to speak against injustice. That I am sure he will be. Who else knows the story of injustice better than my wife and son?

    (While Afzal continued talking about his wife and son, I could not help but recollect what Tabassum told me when I met her outside the Supreme Court in 2005, during the case’s appeal stage. While Afzal’s family members remained in Kashmir, Tabassum dared to come to Delhi with her son, Ghalib, to organise defence for Afzal.

    Outside the Supreme Court New Lawyers chamber, at the tiny tea stall on the roadside, she chatted in detail about Afzal. While sipping and complaining about the excess sugar in the tea, she talked about how Afzal enjoyed cooking.

    One picture she painted struck me. It was one of the few precious private moments in their lives: when Afzal would not allow her to enter the kitchen, but would make her sit on the chair nearby and he would cook, holding a book in one hand, a ladle in the other and read out stories for her.)

    If I may ask you about the Kashmir issue, how do you think it can be solved?

    First, let the government be sincere to the people of Kashmir. And let them initiate talk with the real representatives of Kashmir. Trust me, the real representatives of Kashmir can solve the problem. But if the government considers the peace process as a tactic of counter insurgency, then the issue is not going to be solved. It is time some sincerity is shown.

    Who are the real people?

    Find out from the sentiments of the people of Kashmir. I am not going to name x, y or z. And I have an appeal to the Indian media; stop acting as a propaganda tool. Let them report the truth. With their smartly worded and politically loaded news reports, they distort facts, make incomplete reports, build hardliners, terrorists et al. They easily fall for the games of the intelligence agencies…

    Also, you tell me how are you going to develop real trust among Kashmiris when you send out the message that India has a justice system that hangs people without giving them a lawyer, without a fair trial?

    Nine security men were killed in the Parliament attack. What is it that you have to tell their relatives?

    In fact, I share the pain of the family members who lost their dear ones in the attack. But I feel sad that they are misled to believe that hanging an innocent person like me would satisfy them. They are used as pawns in a completely distorted cause of nationalism…

    (An ear-splitting electric bell rang. I could hear hurried conversations from the neighbouring cubicles. This was my last question to Afzal.)

    What do you want to be known as?

    (He thought for a minute, and answered)

    As Afzal, as Mohammad Afzal. I am Afzal for Kashmiris, and I am Afzal for Indians as well, but the two groups have an entirely conflicting perception of my being. I would naturally trust the judgment of Kashmiri people, not only because I am one among them, but also because they are well aware of the reality I have been through, and they cannot be misled into believing any distorted version of either a history or an incident.

    I was confused by this last statement of Mohammad Afzal, but on further reflection, I began to understand what he meant. This was a time before clear accounts of the strife had begun to emerge from Kashmiri voices; the source of knowledge on Kashmir for most Indians were textbooks and media reports. To hear about the history of Kashmir and incidents in the state from a Kashmiri was usually a shock to most Indians – as it was to me as I listened to Afzal.

    Two more bells. It was time to end the mulakat. But people were still busy conversing. The microphone was put off. The sounds from the speaker stopped. But if you strained your ear, and watched his lip movements, you could still hear him. The guards made rough round-ups, asking everyone to leave. As they found visitors reluctant to leave, they put the lights off. The mulakat room turned dark.

    In the long walk out from Jail No 3 of the Tihar jail compound to the main road, I found myself in the company of people in clusters of twos and threes, moving out silently – mother, wife and daughter; or brother, sister and wife; or friend and brother; or someone else. Every cluster had two things in common.

    They carried an empty cotton bag back with them. Those bags had stains of malai kofta, shahi paneer and mixed vegetables, many caused by the spills from the rash frisking of the TSP man’s spoon. The second thing in common, I observed, was that they all wore inexpensive winter clothes, torn shoes, and outside Gate No 3 they waited for Bus No 588, the Tilak Nagar-Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium bus, that perhaps took them to Dhaula Kuan main junction – they were the poor citizens of this country.

    I remembered former president Abdul Kalam’s musing on how poor people were the awardees of capital punishments. My interviewee was also one. When I had asked him how many ‘tokens’ (the form of currency allowed in the jail) he had, he said “enough to survive”.

    The writer, now the Executive Editor of The Caravan magazine conducted this interview when he was the India reporter for the US public radio, Pacifica

    ► DSP Davinder Singh asked me to do a small job for him. I had to take one man to Delhi, rent a house for him

    ► I am Afzal for Kashmiris, and I am Afzal for Indians as well, but both have an entirely conflicting perception of my being.

    http://kractivist.wordpress.com/2013/02/11/a-rare-interview-of-afzal-guru-in-tihar-jail-and-i-was-condemned-to-death-deathpenalty-kashmir/

    Related;

    http://ramanisblog.in/2013/02/16/whose-is-kashmir-pakistan-indiathe-other-side/

    http://ramanisblog.in/2013/02/16/whose-kashmir-pakistans-2/

     

  • Whose is Kashmir Pakistan India,The Other Side.

    As Indians we have been(at least I) shown only the other side of the Story.

    Patriotism not withstanding, I believe in hearing both sides of the arguments.

    The stand of India is known to us all.

    What about the Pakistani stand?

    Ina highly volatile argument it is normal fo the parties to doctor Documents that lend credibility.

    This depends on which side you are on.

    Instead of arriving at a conclusion, the parties arrive at a conclusion and try to present fact to sut their convenience.

    The following is the Pakistani argument with ‘facts’ , ‘Maps’ and ‘Documents’

    The Story:

    The Pakistan (IVC) and China. Indus Valley 5000 years ago The Pakistan China Nexus:
    The Pakistan (IVC) and China. Indus Valley 5000 years ago The Pakistan China Nexus:

    * 5000 years ago, it was Bharata Varsha, there were no British nor Pakistan!( refers to image caption)

    All agreements of British governments with either rulers or states also lapsed on 15th of August 1947. Since the state of Jammu and Kashmir was a Princely State with a special autonomous status, therefore, it can be very conveniently said, that on 15th day of August 1947, the Maharaja Sir Hari Singh was not the permissible ruler of the state of Jammu and Kashmir as all his treaties with British India lapsed on that day. Once he was not a ruler of the state, he had no right to sign the instrument of accession (if at all he signed that) with the new Indian dominion. This title to the state was granted to him by the British Government (East India Company) under the Treaty of Amritsar (Kashmir Sale deed) signed on 16 March 1846 and lapsed on the appointed day of 15th August 1947.

    The Instrument of Accession to the Union of In...
    The Instrument of Accession to the Union of India signed on 26 October 1947, and accepted the following day. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

    The fake article of accession. Image via Wikipedia. All the dates are wrong. Notice the over-writing and the bad format.The people who were supposedly there to sign the article were not present in the same city at the time when this fake article was ostensibly signed. This article was in direct contradiction of the already existing standing agreement between the Dogra ruler and Pakistan

    * Where is the original with out overwriting?(I refer to image cation)

    The fake article of accession. Image via Wikipedia. All the dates are wrong. Notice the over-writing and the bad format.The people who were supposedly there to sign the article were not present in the same city at the time when this fake article was ostensibly signed. This article was in direct contradiction of the already existing standing agreement between the Dogra ruler and Pakistan

    Besides, on July 25, 1947 in his address to special full meetings of the Chamber of Princes held in New Delhi, Lord Mountbatten categorically told all princes of Princely States that they were practically free to join any one of dominions; India or Pakistan. He however clarified that, while acceding to any dominion they could take into account geographical contiguity and wishes of the people. In case of the State of Jammu and Kashmir, either of the above factors was favouring state’s accession to Pakistan, butMaharaja Hari Singh did not accept this basic precondition of accession.

    Indian claim that its forces landed Srinagar Airport on October 27, 1947, only after signatures on Instrument of Accession by Maharaja and theIndian government is also fallacious. Indeed, a heavy contingent of Patiala State was involved in fighting against the Kashmiri rebellions in Uri Sector on 18 October 1947, which means that they were very much inside the State’s territory much earlier than October 27, 1947.

    http://rupeenews.com/2013/02/is-delhis-claim-on-kashmir-legal/