‘Not against good Indo-Pak ties, but Kashmiris can’t be ignored’

The Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani on Wednesday cautioned both India and Pakistan “not to take Kashmiris for granted as haven’t given any mandate to anyone to wind up the Kashmir issue.”

“Both the countries should keep in mind that the real stakeholders of Kashmir issue are its people. We are not against the friendly relationship between India and Pakistan, but the two countries can’t ignore the wishes, aspirations and sacrifices of Kashmiris and talk about potato and onion trade,” he said in a statement.

He said the freedom movement of Kashmiris has “no relation with terrorism. Our brave hearts are struggling for freedom for which lakhs of Kashmiri people have sacrificed their lives so far.”

Geelani made these remarks while addressing a meeting of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat’s central and district office-bearers here, a Hurriyat (G) spokesman said.

“We have decided to start consultations with intellectuals and people related to different walks of life to discuss the purpose, objective and factors that led to the ongoing dialogue process between India and Pakistan,” he said. “Today’s meeting is a first step in this regard.”

Geelani said the Four-Point Formula of former President of Pakistan Pervez Musharaf on Kashmir was “just a deception and no more than a status-quo.”

“This formula was nothing more than softening of borders, people-to-people easy contact and easing of travel formalities. It was a diplomatic trick of converting the ceasefire line into permanent border which was rejected by Kashmiris in one voice,” he said. “The four point formula was not only a formula to bury the wishes, aspirations and sacrifices of Kashmiris but was against the constitution and national policy of Pakistan with regard to Kashmir.”

Geelani cautioned that any attempt to repeat such a formula will not be accepted by Kashmiris at any cost. “We are struggling for our basic and birth rights and have not given this mandate to anybody to sabotage our movement and improve the trade ties,” he said.

He said: “Terrorism and freedom struggle are two different realities and cannot be equated. On the pretext of 9/11, you cannot snatch the rights of any nation. India has itself fought a vast war with the British for freedom and most nations in the world have struggled to attain this right. Due to the wrong policies of the imperialistic powers, the whole world is suffering from disorder and disharmony, but it cannot be the reason of shutting eyes to serious issues like Kashmir and Palestine.”

Geelani said: “Our nation has paid priceless sacrifices in the struggle for freedom and now it is time to protect these sacrifices. At a time when India is trying to dominate the entire South Asian region and maintain its supremacy over its neighbors, Kashmiri nation has not only to remain vigilant but play a proactive role to make its existence felt. We will aware the whole world that Kashmir issue concerns future of 15 million human beings which needs an immediate sympathetic and humble attention. We have right to decide our future and will not surrender under pressure or compulsion.”