Jammu and Kashmir is naturally a part of Pakistan, asserts Geelani; Malik calls for unity

Muhammad Raafi
Srinagar

Octogenarian Hurriyat patriarch Syed Ali Geelani on Thursday said that Jammu and Kashmir was ‘naturally a part of Pakistan’, while his deputy and long-time aide Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai said, the present-day state of affairs of Muslims proves pragmatism and sagacity of “Quaid-e-Azam” Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

The duo was addressing a day-long seminar at the former’s residence-cum-office at Hyderpora to commemorate the 140^th birth anniversary of Allama Iqbal (R.A). The Seminar was also addressed by Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chairperson Muhammad Yasin Malik and other senior leaders.

Geelani said Lord Mountbatten, the Governor General of India, on January 15 had declared that the princely states had a choice to join any of the two states created in 1947. “There were three points for any princely states to join India or Pakistan; religion, culture and boundaries, he explained.

He said that Muslims were 85 percent of the total population and 750 miles of our boundaries are along the border of Pakistan which means, naturally Jammu and Kashmir is a part of Pakistan, “but India has militarily occupied us”.

The assertion comes at a time when the statement of Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi that the idea of “independent Kashmir is not based on reality” has invited a huge debate on social media. “I do not see reality in Kashmir being independent,” Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had said while interacting with the students at London School of Economics.

“Kashmir should be resolved according to the United Nations Security Resolutions which call for the right to self-determination for the people of Kashmir,” he said.

Geelani lamented that despite the “butchering” of more than six lac Muslims in Jammu by the Hindus, the then leadership, without naming Sheikh Abdullah, of Jammu and Kashmir could not envisage the ramifications of J&K becoming part of India. He said that the current mayhem in Jammu and Kashmir is due to those infamous decisions of the infamous leaders.

Muslims were 85 percent of the total population and 750 miles of our boundaries are along the border of Pakistan which means, naturally Jammu and Kashmir is a part of Pakistan

The top resistance leader while referring to the statement of Government of India appointed special representative to Kashmir, Dineshwar Sharma, who said that situation in Kashmir like that of Syria, said, “this is part of the same ideology which targets Islam and that is why Modi is promoting Sufism.”

Fervently appealing youth to follow the teachings of Allama Iqbal (R.A), Geelani said, “They want to take away our identity, culture and religion from us. I appeal the youth to follow the teachings of Dr Iqbal.”Meanwhile, Geelani’s deputy and long-time aide, Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai lashed out at those who criticize Pakistan and said that two nation theory is a reality today as it was in 1947.

However, Sehrai disparaged the rulers of Pakistan for failing to live up to the expectations of its founders.

Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chairperson Muhammad Yasin Malik in his address impressed upon the unity among the resistance leadership.

Asking people to remain united Malik without naming anyone said that some people within the Hurriyat are against the joint resistance leadership, however, he said the people on the ground were and are in the favor of united leadership.

Referring to the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir and “brutalities inflicted” by Indian authorities, Malik said that authorities want to break “our resolve but we will never surrender or budge to the pressure tactics”.

“Every household and family presented laudable sacrifices and are facing immense hardships and miseries,” Malik said.

He said that the authorities are showering pellets, bullets, killing and caging our youth, despite that they failed to break our resolve, said Malik. “We have decided to carry this freedom struggle despite all their bullying,” he said and while stressing on unity within resistance camp and people, said that we are committed to make this unity more strong.

He said during 90’s people associated with (freedom) movement were killed. “Geelani sahab was attacked but despite that we resisted and this time shall also pass, too.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the chairperson of his faction of Hurriyat did not attend the seminar.