Kashmir should be an independent state, were the words of Libyan President Colonel Qaddafi and his words has worked the same way and had the similar impact as was once done by Che, the Cuban insurgent leader. He shelved off both India as well as Pakistan by terming Kashmir as a buffer state between India and Pakistan.
His hundred minute speech in which he supported Kashmir to be independent state got surfeit of takers in Indian occupied Kashmir. Within no time Qaddafi become an icon of hope, a figure of respect and an overnight hero. In Kashmir he is no longer considered an angry Libyan President but a man of high standards who spoke up in front of Uncle Sam in favor of forgotten Kashmir. His photographs were sold a la Che’s in Cuba once upon a time when Cuban revolution was at its peak. His comments were applauded by all the pro-freedom leaders.
United Jihad Council (UJC) leader, Syed Salahuddin praised President Qaddafi’s statement. He termed the Libyan leader as courageous and asked Muslim leadership across the globe to follow his line of action and garner international support in favor of Kashmir resolution.
In an another statement issued by the Huriyat (G), Syed Ali Shah Geelani greeted President Qaddafi on his daring speech in favor of Kashmir resolution on UN podium. He demanded similar action from other leaders of Islamic nations so that they can press India to grant people of Kashmir their birth right as has been promised to them by India as well as by the UN.
Likewise Huriyat (M) spokesman, Syed Saleem Geelani in a separate statement expressed similar feelings and welcomed Libyan President’s brave remarks on Kashmir.
Another pro-freedom (women) leader and chief of Jammu Kashmir Mass Movement, Ms Farida Behanji thanked President Qaddafi for his courageous comments on Kashmir. She also stressed upon other Islamic nations to pursue the similar diplomatic motion in favor of Kashmir’s ongoing struggle for independence.
In an exclusive article to The Kashmir Watch, (titled “Kashmir: The Definitive Solution”, dated 16 Nov, 2007) President Qaddafi praised both India as well as Pakistan and termed them sisterly neighbors and true siblings. He also believed the partition of the sub continent as a colonial conspiracy. In his article he has raised his figure towards the then British empire that used her policies of “divide and rule” to split the sub continent on sectarian and religious lines. Nevertheless, President Qaddafi spoke vehemently in favor of an independent Kashmir; he was all praise for India and Pakistan for their rich cultural oneness and brotherhood.
Qaddafi’s intentions were not appalling at all towards India or Pakistan. He didn’t want to embarrass either India or Pakistan as has been reported by various vested interests. What he meant was to end up the long standing conflict which has put South Asian peace at the stake. He was rather optimistic of the pace of economic reconstruction and overall welfare of both the neighbors (born due to the British legacy of “divide and rule”) if the core issue of Kashmir be resolved sooner than later.
President Qaddafi’s statement regarding the fate of disputed Kashmir shouldn’t be taken as an attack on Indian democracy or Pakistan’s role as a legitimate party but in the backdrop of an exclusive article to The Kashmir Watch, his statement should be taken as a welcome step, a step towards peace and harmony. According to President Qaddafi, mere mudslinging or change of nomenclature according to ones interests will not solve the issues, rather it would add more animosity to the two neighboring nations.
He argues that it is uncreative to say that the independence of Kashmir will destabilize India or the view that Kashmir’s independence might disintegrate India and leave a precedent on other states, on the basis of religion, regional, ethnic or linguistic grounds. He has a sound footing to support his argument. His analysis that the alliance of other Indian states was determined by the will of the people at the time of partition of the Indian Sub continent with the consent of UN Security Council resolutions. But Kashmir never got a chance to speak or to decide her fate or future course since the inception of two nations.
Kashmir has an alibi to demand and detach herself from India. In President Qaddafi’s exclusive article to The Kashmir Watch he has raised many valid questions and few of the questions needs special attention. His queries that could have bogged anybody’s mind are:
1. Why was the status of the two other states that were considered exceptional cases (Hyderabad and Jonaghad) settled while that of Kashmir was left unsettled
2. Why does the head of government of Kashmir carry the title of prime minister like the head of the government of India?
3. Why does Kashmir have its own flag and its own parliament?
He believes that Kashmir is distinct in many ways like its history is different than that of other states of the sub continent. Like other opportunists he hasn’t termed India as a Hindu Rashtra (Hindu Country) primarily meant for Hindu’s but a country of greater religious, cultural and linguistic diversity capable of acknowledging all its people irrespective of caste, creed, color and religion. Likewise, he doesn’t consider Kashmir as a Muslim state exclusively meant for Muslims of the valley but an amalgam of all faiths residing in the valley since ages. President Qaddafi doesn’t seem to believe in British legacy of “divide and rule” or on the lines of religion as he contends that no state can say that it is a Hindu, Muslim, Christian or a Buddhist state because that could lead to further cleavages and splits within.
He doesn’t appear anti Indian or anti Pakistani but he is looking at the issue from an observer’s prism. Truly Kashmir conflict is the core cause of hostility between two neighboring countries (India & Pakistan) since the dissection of the sub continent in 1947. The base of his argument is that in this globalised world, religion is not the adhering factor as has been portrayed by the proponents of peace and democracy but what carries weight in present times is the “common interests” that unites people in real terms. To harp on the mantra of religion is hogwash as religion has become a cliche which has been used by the West to fragment the sub continent.
But hats off to President Qaddafi! At least he has acknowledged Kashmir’s vast water resources as its biggest asset. Otherwise think tanks on both the sides insist that Kashmir can’t survive of its own. He dismisses the argument that Kashmir issue is the religious issue that has been used by nations to exploit vast natural resources of Kashmir for their own betterment.
He empathizes with the Kashmiri’s and recognises their genuine sacrifices made by them throughout the course of history. Kashmir must belong to all Kashmiris are the words which will resonate in the annuals of Kashmir history. These words will be remembered by all Kashmiris as golden words spoken by the grandson of a grand Libyan leader.
In his speech in the UN and in an exclusive article to the Kashmir Watch, what is so unique and distinct, what is so appealing to an eye is his in-depth and keen insight into the Kashmir issue. He took everybody by surprise by exhibiting a vast knowledge of Kashmir dispute, its history and the dangers it poses to the stability of South Asia.
His hundred minute speech in which he supported Kashmir to be independent state got surfeit of takers in Indian occupied Kashmir. Within no time Qaddafi become an icon of hope, a figure of respect and an overnight hero. In Kashmir he is no longer considered an angry Libyan President but a man of high standards who spoke up in front of Uncle Sam in favor of forgotten Kashmir. His photographs were sold a la Che’s in Cuba once upon a time when Cuban revolution was at its peak. His comments were applauded by all the pro-freedom leaders.
United Jihad Council (UJC) leader, Syed Salahuddin praised President Qaddafi’s statement. He termed the Libyan leader as courageous and asked Muslim leadership across the globe to follow his line of action and garner international support in favor of Kashmir resolution.
In an another statement issued by the Huriyat (G), Syed Ali Shah Geelani greeted President Qaddafi on his daring speech in favor of Kashmir resolution on UN podium. He demanded similar action from other leaders of Islamic nations so that they can press India to grant people of Kashmir their birth right as has been promised to them by India as well as by the UN.
Likewise Huriyat (M) spokesman, Syed Saleem Geelani in a separate statement expressed similar feelings and welcomed Libyan President’s brave remarks on Kashmir.
Another pro-freedom (women) leader and chief of Jammu Kashmir Mass Movement, Ms Farida Behanji thanked President Qaddafi for his courageous comments on Kashmir. She also stressed upon other Islamic nations to pursue the similar diplomatic motion in favor of Kashmir’s ongoing struggle for independence.
In an exclusive article to The Kashmir Watch, (titled “Kashmir: The Definitive Solution”, dated 16 Nov, 2007) President Qaddafi praised both India as well as Pakistan and termed them sisterly neighbors and true siblings. He also believed the partition of the sub continent as a colonial conspiracy. In his article he has raised his figure towards the then British empire that used her policies of “divide and rule” to split the sub continent on sectarian and religious lines. Nevertheless, President Qaddafi spoke vehemently in favor of an independent Kashmir; he was all praise for India and Pakistan for their rich cultural oneness and brotherhood.
Qaddafi’s intentions were not appalling at all towards India or Pakistan. He didn’t want to embarrass either India or Pakistan as has been reported by various vested interests. What he meant was to end up the long standing conflict which has put South Asian peace at the stake. He was rather optimistic of the pace of economic reconstruction and overall welfare of both the neighbors (born due to the British legacy of “divide and rule”) if the core issue of Kashmir be resolved sooner than later.
President Qaddafi’s statement regarding the fate of disputed Kashmir shouldn’t be taken as an attack on Indian democracy or Pakistan’s role as a legitimate party but in the backdrop of an exclusive article to The Kashmir Watch, his statement should be taken as a welcome step, a step towards peace and harmony. According to President Qaddafi, mere mudslinging or change of nomenclature according to ones interests will not solve the issues, rather it would add more animosity to the two neighboring nations.
He argues that it is uncreative to say that the independence of Kashmir will destabilize India or the view that Kashmir’s independence might disintegrate India and leave a precedent on other states, on the basis of religion, regional, ethnic or linguistic grounds. He has a sound footing to support his argument. His analysis that the alliance of other Indian states was determined by the will of the people at the time of partition of the Indian Sub continent with the consent of UN Security Council resolutions. But Kashmir never got a chance to speak or to decide her fate or future course since the inception of two nations.
Kashmir has an alibi to demand and detach herself from India. In President Qaddafi’s exclusive article to The Kashmir Watch he has raised many valid questions and few of the questions needs special attention. His queries that could have bogged anybody’s mind are:
1. Why was the status of the two other states that were considered exceptional cases (Hyderabad and Jonaghad) settled while that of Kashmir was left unsettled
2. Why does the head of government of Kashmir carry the title of prime minister like the head of the government of India?
3. Why does Kashmir have its own flag and its own parliament?
He believes that Kashmir is distinct in many ways like its history is different than that of other states of the sub continent. Like other opportunists he hasn’t termed India as a Hindu Rashtra (Hindu Country) primarily meant for Hindu’s but a country of greater religious, cultural and linguistic diversity capable of acknowledging all its people irrespective of caste, creed, color and religion. Likewise, he doesn’t consider Kashmir as a Muslim state exclusively meant for Muslims of the valley but an amalgam of all faiths residing in the valley since ages. President Qaddafi doesn’t seem to believe in British legacy of “divide and rule” or on the lines of religion as he contends that no state can say that it is a Hindu, Muslim, Christian or a Buddhist state because that could lead to further cleavages and splits within.
He doesn’t appear anti Indian or anti Pakistani but he is looking at the issue from an observer’s prism. Truly Kashmir conflict is the core cause of hostility between two neighboring countries (India & Pakistan) since the dissection of the sub continent in 1947. The base of his argument is that in this globalised world, religion is not the adhering factor as has been portrayed by the proponents of peace and democracy but what carries weight in present times is the “common interests” that unites people in real terms. To harp on the mantra of religion is hogwash as religion has become a cliche which has been used by the West to fragment the sub continent.
But hats off to President Qaddafi! At least he has acknowledged Kashmir’s vast water resources as its biggest asset. Otherwise think tanks on both the sides insist that Kashmir can’t survive of its own. He dismisses the argument that Kashmir issue is the religious issue that has been used by nations to exploit vast natural resources of Kashmir for their own betterment.
He empathizes with the Kashmiri’s and recognises their genuine sacrifices made by them throughout the course of history. Kashmir must belong to all Kashmiris are the words which will resonate in the annuals of Kashmir history. These words will be remembered by all Kashmiris as golden words spoken by the grandson of a grand Libyan leader.
In his speech in the UN and in an exclusive article to the Kashmir Watch, what is so unique and distinct, what is so appealing to an eye is his in-depth and keen insight into the Kashmir issue. He took everybody by surprise by exhibiting a vast knowledge of Kashmir dispute, its history and the dangers it poses to the stability of South Asia.
But what worries Kashmiris is the negligence of Islamic leaders and failure of OIC as a centre stage to educate international community of the dangers of the long standing Kashmir dispute for the entire South Asia. Why only President Qaddafi raised his voice in favor of Kashmir and why not other Islamic leaders is a moot question. Why Islamic nations didn’t launch any diplomatic initiatives in support of Kashmir cause till day?
By speaking audibly in favor of Kashmir’s independence President Qaddafi has won the hearts of all Kashmiris. By doing so he opened a new chapter in the history of Kashmir. He seems more audible than the Kashmir’s own leadership. By giving vent to his feelings, President Qaddafi has promoted other leaders to toe the same line. He has truly advanced the Kashmir cause by speaking the truth even before Uncle Sam.
By speaking audibly in favor of Kashmir’s independence President Qaddafi has won the hearts of all Kashmiris. By doing so he opened a new chapter in the history of Kashmir. He seems more audible than the Kashmir’s own leadership. By giving vent to his feelings, President Qaddafi has promoted other leaders to toe the same line. He has truly advanced the Kashmir cause by speaking the truth even before Uncle Sam.
Author can be reached at: sumera.reshi@gmail.com
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