He said a “propaganda is created that Kashmiri Pandits were massacred in early ‘1990s and all of them migrated from Kashmir.”
Day after Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh stated that Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed has promised to earmark 50 acres of land as a first installment for rehabilitation of displaced Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley, the Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Geelani Wednesday accused New Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir government of “pursuing divisive agenda of Rashtriya Swayam sevak Sangh.”
“Attempts are being made to settle non-state subjects in J&K besides making exclusive townships for Kashmiri Pandits. The Government of India and Jammu and Kashmir government are pursuing divisive agenda of the RSS. We will resist these attempts tooth and nail,” Geelani said, addressing a seminar ‘Conspiracies of RSS and responsibilities of Kashmiris’ organized by Hurriyat (G) at its Hyderpora office here.
“RSS is at the helm of affairs in India. The party is using every means to suppress minorities including Muslims by force. It has spread its tentacles to Jammu and Kashmir and is using all its might to change demography and break the age-old communal harmony by making the return of Kashmir Pandits a ‘Hindus versus Muslims’ issue. We have to foil its nefarious designs,” Geelani said.
He condemned the recent statement of RSS that “separatists should be sent to Pakistan”. “RSS has forgotten history of Kashmir dispute. It should bear in mind that Kashmir is a disputed territory and it was India which took it to the United Nations. In fact, India is signatory to the UN resolutions on Kashmir guaranteeing right to self-determination to Kashmiris. Ironically, since 1947 India is using suppressive tactics to deny Kashmiris their inalienable right,” he said.
He said a “propaganda is created that Kashmiri Pandits were massacred in early ‘1990s and all of them migrated from Kashmir.”
“The fact is that 219 Kashmir Pandits were killed while 34202 families migrated from Kashmir. In comparison, over six lakh Kashmiri Muslims have been killed since 1947. They are living life of insecurity among more than eight lakh troops and armed 28500 Villages Defence Committee members,” he said.
He said members of minority communities including Kashmiri Pandits and Sikhs have been living happily with Kashmiri Muslims. “However, we welcome Pandits in their respective localities. Settling them in separate townships will destroy social fabric of Kashmir,” he said.
Geelani said he in undeterred by the registration of cases against him and other party leaders including MasaratAlam for supporting Pakistan during a recently rally. “Pakistan has fought three wars with India on Kashmir and even lost its eastern part Bangladesh. Pakistan has been offering moral, diplomatic and political support to Kashmir while India is denying us our right to self-determination,” he said.
“Since 2008, 570 civilians were killed by forces in Kashmir and 411 persons were booked under various acts including PSA. This shows how suppressed Kashmiris are,” he said.
The Hurriyat (G) Chairman hit out at Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed for “working to maintain status quo on Kashmir issue.”
“National Conference leaders are more after power, but Mufti Sayeed is Indian by heart and conviction. I urge people to remain aware of his designs as he will try to lure them by talking about Kashmir issue and development,” he said.
He said unity efforts among separatists have not matured so far “as some parties are yet to respond to the unity call.”
“Our party has been trying to forge issue-based unity, however we have not been successful till now,” he said.
He also urged Kashmiris to go for self-introspection to “take the freedom movement forward.”
“A major obstacle in our movement is weakness of Kashmiris. You participate in elections as well as pro-freedom programs. Our youth are turning to waywardness. If we have to realize the dream of martyrs, we have to shun our weaknesses and imbibe discipline in our life according to Islamic teachings,” he said.
In his address, Chairman of Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) Shabir Ahmad Shah pitched for unity in the separatist camp. “To foil conspiracies to divide Kashmiris on communal lines and change demography of the state, it is high time for the pro-freedom leaders to unite. We are not fighting for portfolios. We have to shun our egos and join hands to carry forward the cause of Kashmiris,” Shah said.
“Government of India is using state legislature for granting citizenship to West Pakistan refugees. Why granting of Permanent Resident Certificates in schools was started from Kishtwar and not Kashmir? Government wants to settle non-state subjects to change demography of Kashmir. We have to remember that united we stand and divided we fall,” Shah said.
Noted columnist ZG Muhammad also stressed for unity among separatists. “The emerging challenges including settlement of West Pakistan refugees demands unity among the pro-freedom camp. One person cannot single-handedly lead the ongoing movement. It needs collective efforts from pro-freedom leaders to take the movement forward,” he said.
Civil society member ShakeelQalandar said “RSS wants to pursue it agenda of dividing Kashmir.”
“Its leaders motivated Maharaja Hari Singh to sign the Instrument of Accession in 1947. In 1953 it made inroads in Kashmir by forming PrajaParishad whose aims included abrogating Article 370. RSS is trying its best to revive Hindu culture in Kashmir,” he said.
Columnist Abdul MajeedZargar dwelt at history of RSS. “It came into being as a social organization and pursued communal politics. It was thrice banned by the British. The organization has emerged as a potential threat as it runs its own military schools and has been involved in many blasts,” he said.
Columnist DrJavid Iqbal said RSS propagates the policy of “cultural nationalism.” “In this situation, the people of other religions feel insecure,” he said.
Among others who spoke on the occasion included senior Hurriyat (G) leaders Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai, Ghulam Nabi Sumji and political commentator Dr Sheikh Showkat Hussain.
