MLA Rashid asks Hurriyat to unite for plebiscite

Independent legislator from Langate, Engineer Abdur Rashid, Wednesday urged Hurriyat leaders to unite to press for plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking in a seminar organized by his AwamiItehad Party (AIP) here, where several victims of Kashmir conflict- including Muhammad Afzal Guru’s brother Aijaz Guru – were present, the legislator said he loves all separatist leaders. “I have a great respect and love for them. But my suggestion to them is let’s unite to seek the end of people’s sufferings. For that, I believe there is only one way, that is to press for Kashmir’s plebiscite,” Rashid said.

The seminar was titled “Death anniversaries of Muhammad MaqboolBhat and Muhammad Afzal Guru – Why Selective Hangings?”

Rashid said Zahoor Ahmed Bhat, the brother of JKLF founder Muhammad MaqboolBhat was also scheduled to come to the seminar but police prevented him from attending the function.

Taking a dig at New Delhi for claiming credit for huge percentage of votes in Kashmir elections, Rashid said if Delhi is so confident, then it should not shy away from holding a referendum. “Let there be a match of plebiscite. Who knows, maybe people would vote for India. In that case, issue would be resolved once for all,” Rashid said.

He said Kashmir was a disputed territory. “Kashmir under Indian occupation is not an integral part nor is it the jugular vein of Pakistan. Similarly, Kashmir under Pakistan is a disputed region,” he said. “I welcome the recent statement of Pakistan High Commissioner that Pakistan has not changed its policy on Kashmir under them and Gilgit-Baltistan shall remain part of disputed region.” He said one day India will realize that Kashmir resolution is must for its growing economy. “New Delhi must take note of as to why J&K legislative assembly has 24 seats reserved for the people of Kashmir under Pakistan,” Rashid said. “This time, when the Assembly would meet, I will keep my face towards these 24 seats, and try to make the representatives of PDP and BJP realize that Kashmir is an issue.”

He said that had Pakistan been sure that the part of Kashmir under it was its own territory; it would have merged “Pakistan administered Kashmir.” “But that hasn’t happened,” he said.

He said Kashmiris have offered priceless sacrifices over the past six decades in general and past 25 years in particular. “I have been elected by my people and I feel no shame in that. No one in Kashmir is a mainstream or a separatist. The real mainstream is the one who raises people’s issues,” he said.

On the hanging of Guru and Bhat, Rashid said, “If the two were terrorists, Kashmiris should have been celebrating their execution. But Kashmiris are mourning their hanging and protesting against their secret burial inside Tihar jail,” Rashid said as people present in the seminar resorted to pro-freedom sloganeering.

In his speech, Sabz Ali, who lost three sons to the conflict accused forces of killing his sons. “They shattered my world. They didn’t even spare me; I was subjected to worst torture by the Army. They told me that I give shelter to militants, a baseless allegation.” Ali, a resident of Haril area of Langate, said, “Bhat and Guru are the heroes of Kashmiris and their blood won’t go in vain.”

Another victim, Nazir Ahmed Sheikh of Mawar, Handwara, said forces chopped off his both legs and an arm during torture.

Emotional scenes were witnessed in the hall when 16-year-old Mushtaq Ahmed Hajam of MawarBala, Handwara, narrated how his father Muhammad Abdullah Hajam, a baker, was blown into pieces by fixing a bomb on his body allegedly by the Army. Many members of victim families narrated similar tales. Besides the victims; lawyers, civil society members and journalists also participated in the seminar.