H.E Madame Frederica Mogherini
High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
European Commission, Rue de la Loi/ Wetstraat 200
1049 Brussels Belgium
28 March 2016

Dear Madame Mogherini,

Sub: Is Mr Modi’s India Ready to engage for a peaceful Solution over Kashmir?

We first wrote to you in November 2014 reminding you of EU’s vital role for a just and peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue, as well as welcoming you on succeeding Madame Ashton as the High Representative of the EU.

Today we take this opportunity and write to you again as the European Union-EU- welcomes Indian Prime Minister, Mr

Narendra Modi on 30 March 2016 in what is claimed by some MEPs with ‘open arms’.
As we seek a just and peaceful solution of the Kashmir issue we therefore ask the EU through your esteemed person: Is Mr Modi’s India ready to engage for a peaceful and lasting solution of the Kashmir issue based on the fundamental, inherent and inalienable rights of 20 million people  on both sides of the Line of Control-LoC?

However Madame Mogherini, before we take the liberty to ask some further questions regarding Mr Modi’s visit, we must put on record our profound sadness in connection with the recent terrorist attacks in Brussels and the loss of precious lives. We unequivocally condemn these heinous outrages and extend our sincere and heartfelt condolences to families of the deceased and the injured. Our prayers are with them and with the people of Belgium and hope that Brussels will soon return to normality with its customary welcoming and friendly atmosphere.

With reference to Mr Modi’s visit to the EU on 30 March 2016 we strongly hope that despite economic considerations with India, the EU will not overlook human rights violations being committed on daily basis in Kashmir by Indian military and para military forces. Madame innocent people-especially youngsters- are shot dead by the occupation forces under the cover of anti-people draconian laws.

The 700,000 Indian forces of occupation are responsible for the killing of 100,000 Kashmiris during the past 28 years.  There are 8000 missing people vanished without a trace. If Mr Modi is not responsible for these one wonders who is?  There are over 7000 unmarked graves throughout the Indian occupied part of Jammu Kashmir. Some of the most heinous acts of depravity have been committed against Kashmiri women by the Indian regular army. The occupation forces act with impunity under the cover of draconian laws such as Armed Forces Special Powers Act-AFSPA.

The populace of Indian occupied Jammu Kashmir is not only subjected to the militarised oppression but is also experiencing the communal fury that has been unleashed by the BJP and its extreme right wing allies in Indian occupied Jammu Kashmir with dire consequences.

Madame Mogherini it is not for us to remind you of what has happened under Mr Modi’s watch in India itself, as we always confine ourselves to the conduct of Indian occupation of Jammu Kashmir; but massacre of as many as two thousand innocent Indian citizens in Gujarat did take place when Mr Modi was Chief Minister there. Since Mr Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party-BJP- came into power, India has become more intolerant and chauvinistic due to BJP’s nexus with the ultra-extremist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sang-RSS, Shiv Sena and Vishwa Hindu Prashad-VHP.  The Indian Prime Minister therefore does not come to the EU with clean hands.

We look to you therefore, to take the Indian Prime Minister to task on the substantial issue of Kashmir’s future status, in accordance with India’s commitments on the matter at the United Nations. We hope and anticipate that you will remind Mr Modi of India’s responsibility to facilitate a plebiscite to ascertain the status of the territory in accordance with the unfettered democratic decision and expression of 20 million Kashmiris.

We would like to remind you Madame that the Kashmir issue is wrongly seen as a territorial dispute between India and Pakistan. And that India and Pakistan should not be considered the arbiters of Kashmir’s future status. This right Madame Mogherini is vested in the democratic expression of 20 million people of Jammu Kashmir, who along with their country are forcibly divided between India and Pakistan.

Madame Mogherini, the Indian Prime Minister must be reminded that on 1 January 1948 it was an Indian government which took the Kashmir issue to the United Nations. And the following is an example of  an earliest Indian commitment on Kashmir: “ that the question of Kashmir’s future status vis-a vis its neighbours and the world at large and the question on whether Kashmir should withdraw from her accession to India, and either accede to Pakistan or remain independent with a right to claim admission as a member of the UN all this we have recognised to be a matter for unfettered decision by the people of Kashmir after normal life is restored to them”  UNSC document Agenda 227.

Over the years successive Indian governments have hidden behind bilateral 1972 agreement- known as the Shimla Accord- between India and Pakistan to resolve the question of Kashmir’s future status. Thus far the entrenched positions of both countries and in particular, India’s intransigence, have yielded nothing by way of progress over the past 44 years. Since the bilateral agreement between India and Pakistan excludes the Kashmiris in the process, we Kashmiris do not recognise the Shimla Agreement.

India unfortunately has reneged on all its commitments in respect of Kashmir, it is our sincere hope that you will take to task the Prime Minister of ‘largest democracy’ for reneging on his country’s international commitments, solemn pledges and obligations on the inherent and inalienable rights and aspirations of Kashmiris, to determine the political destiny of their choice. This is nothing short of the   betrayal of the United Nations’ trust and that of the international community which was reposed in India over the status of Kashmir.

Mr Modi’s government denies pro freedom leadership the right of speech and assembly. The stifling of political and democratic expression is carried out through a combination of militarised oppression, police action, violent extremism and communal and chauvinist acts of the BJP and the RSS. For example over the past year alone, Chairman of the JKLF Mr Muhammed Yasin Malik  has been denied his basic democratic right of assembly and free speech  hundreds of times. This is hardly a reflection of a democratic society let alone the ‘largest democracy’!

Economic considerations, India’s very large population and its power of consumption apart- the EU with its fundamental principles of democracy, justice, equality and fairness, must not forsake the 20 million people of Jammu Kashmir. The EU more than others as a democratic economic and political block, must uphold the wishes, aspirations and rights of Kashmiri people.

Doing so is consistent with the basic principles and values of the EU. No one else will uphold the right of Kashmiris to justice and fairness. India and to a lesser extend Pakistan have both utterly failed to do so since 1947.

Madame Mogherini we urge you to make a start by taking the leader of the ‘largest democracy’- a democracy that incidentally has never extended beyond Indian border and into Indian occupied Jammu Kashmir- to task by asking him to meet India’s commitment over the future status of Kashmir.

We firmly believe that it would be an injustice to Kashmiris if the EU receives an Indian Prime Minister unconditionally with open arms as some Members of European Parliament –MEPs have suggested according to press reports.
Warm regards,

Prof Zafar Khan
Chairman Diplomatic Bureau
Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front-JKLF
London Secretariat: 119-123 Cannon Street Road
North Basement London E1 2LX
Email: zafargk@aol.com

Srinagar// Pellet-guns and pepper gas are tools of oppression, intimidation of Kashmir students in India states and prolonging imprisonment of veteran social leader Professor SAR Geelani is not acceptable . This was stated by the vice chairman JKLF Showkat Ahmad Bakhshi today while leading a protest rally at Koker Bazaar Lal Chowk Sgr.

JKLF leaders, activists and others in large numbers gathered at Koker Bazaar and started marching towards Lal Chowk. Raising slogans against intimidation of Kashmir students in Indian states, prolonged detention of SAR Geelani and illegal use of pellet guns and paper gas against peaceful Kashmiris, participates of the rally holding play cards and photographs of victims in their hands marched towards Lal chowk .

The rally were stopped by police at Koker Bazaar Chowk and after dispersing peaceful protestors by force, police arrested JKLF leaders and activists including Vice Chairman Shaukat Ahmad Bakhshi, Zonal General Secretary Sheikh Abdul Rashid, zonal organizing Bashir Ahmad Kashmiri, leader Professor Javed, members Imtiyaz Ahmad Ganaie, Basharat Ahmed, Ali Mohammad, Shakir Ahmad, Fayaz Ahmad Lone, Mohammad Hanif Dar, Irfan Ahmad Khan and Mohammad Afzal Shaikh .

Prior to his arrest, JKLF vice chairman Showkat Ahmad Bakshi while speaking to people present at the rally said that today’s protest is against use of deadly weapons like pellet guns and paper gas, that is being used to suppress peaceful protests and protesters in Kashmir and because of which hundreds of innocent young boys have lost their eye sight and vital organs etc.

He said that these weapons are tools of oppression and international community should take notice of this state sponsored terrorism against Kashmiris.

 Bakshi Sahib said that we are also protesting against intimidation of Kashmir students who are being terrorized in many Indian states and whose careers are on stake because of this intimidation.

He said that this is not acceptable and if this is not stopped immediately people of Kashmir will have no option but to launch a full-fledged agitation against this. While condemning the prolonged incarceration of veteran social leaders are educationist Prof SAR Geelani and other JNU students, Showkat Ahmad Bakshi said that this has exposed the double faced approach of Indian state.

He said that these arrests are actually a ploy to put a blanket ban on freedom of expression and India under the grab of democracy is actually promoting worst kind of dictatorial attitude through these measures.

Bakhshi sahib appealed international community to take notice of all these oppressive measures and save the lives and careers of Kashmiris.

Meanwhile JKLF leader Zahoor ahmad Butt today addressed people at Trehgam Kupwara. In his address Zahoor Ahmad Butt said that Indian state has launched a full- fledged war against Kashmiris and arrest of SAR Geelani, others and intimidating Kashmiri students in Indian states are glaring examples of this.

Ends

Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front Stoke On Trent United Kingdom organized a huge public meeting to commemorate 32nd death anniversary of Maqbool Butt Shaheed and other Kashmiri Martyrs.

Hundreds of Kashmiries attended this conference.

Chairman JKLF Yasin Malik addressed this conference via telephone from Sirinagar.
Mr.Yasin Malik appriciated UK Zone for their diplomatic efforts to highlight Jammu Kashmir issue in front  of international community.

He said that india can not stop our national freedom movement by her military might.However, history is witness that nobody could stop any freedom movement by force in this world.

He assured the audiences that JKLF will follow the philosophy of Maqbool butt will not quit or stop this freedom movement untill achieving the objective of complete independence of our motherland Jammu Kashmir.

President UK Zone said in his speech that issue of jammu kashmir is not a border dispute between india and pakistan but it is an issue of a nation,s freedom.he said we are not a proxy between india or pakistan.we are in a peaceful democratic non violent movement to achieve our national freedom.

General secretary Tehseen gillani said that Gilgat Baltistan is a constitutional part of Jammu Kashmir and JKLF will resist against any paln to merge GB as province by pakistan.

Cheif Organiser Abrar Nisar said while addressing to conference that international community should support our peaceful non violent democratic movement in Jammu Kashmir.

Ex President Azmat Khan said that we should enhance our diplomatic efforts on international level to achieve our objective.
He also added
that we should engage british Kashmiri community to reach to british political parties and Government in order to get their support.

President Soke on Trent Farid Ayaz and secretary branch Waheed Hissain said that Maqbool Butt and other martyrs are our heros and we will continue our struggle untill victory.

other speakers in this conference were.

Shakeel Mirza spokesman JKLF Zone
Sajad Wasti President Nottingham.
Saeed Ahmed organizer Stoke on Trent.
Khawaja Kabir member supreme council JKLF.
Aslam Mirza, Aqeel Butt, Shafiq Qadri, Amjid Nawaz
Nazam Bhati , Liaqat Lone.Sofi Sikander.Malik Latif.Mumtaz Mirza Zafran Mirza.Rasib kashmiri, Ali Asghar and others.


Shakeel Mirza 
Spokesman JKLF UK Zone

Protest against incarceration of Professor SAR Geelani others, held at Jenab sahib Soura….
India and its stooges have choked every little space for peaceful political activities, Political dissent and this is pushing youth to the wall //JKLF
Tributes paid to recently martyred youth…….

Jenab sahib Soura // Choking peaceful space on dissent and arresting people for sedition merely for standing with truth is a ploy to create an atmosphere of fear and intimidation. Prolonging incarceration of Professor SAR Geelani and others shows the double faced and hypocritical approach of Indian rulers. This was stated by the vice chairman JKLF Showkat Ahmad Bakhshi and others while speaking to people at Jenab Sahib Soura today. Earlier JKLF leaders and activists along with people from other walks of life participated in a protest rally held at Soura.

The rally was organized to stage protest against prolonging incarceration of noted educationist and social leader Professor SAR Geelani and others who are in jail under fake and manipulated sedition charges. Participants of the rally chanted slogans in favor of Azadi, Martyrs and immediate release of Professor Geelani and other students.

JKLF leaders Showkat Ahmad Bakhshi, Noor Muhammad Kalwal, Zahoor Ahmad Butt, Sheikh Khalid, Bashir Ahmad Kashmiri, Muhammad Sideeq shah, professor Javed, Showkat Ahmad Dar, Muhammad Maqbool Taploo , Ghulam Muhammad Dar, Muhammad Hanief and others were present on the occasion. While speaking to the participants of the rally, JKLF leaders said that India and its stooges have choked every little space for peaceful political activities. Political dissent and raising voice against oppression, tyranny and torture have been banned.

In Kashmir during 2008 and 2010 when people of Kashmiris transformed their struggle from violent to non violent, hundreds of young Kashmiris fell to the bullets of trigger happy Indians, thousands of young boys and youth were arrested and tortured and from then they along with their families are being humiliated on daily basis.

Speakers said that this oppression is pushing young Kashmiris to the wall and hence promoting worst kind of violence. Speakers said that this Indian oppression is responsible for the killings of our young buds and today because of this undemocratic and oppressive behavior we are receiving the corpses of our brilliant minds. While paying tributes to recently martyred Kashmiri youth Shaheed Ishaaq Ahmad Parray, Shaheed Asif Ahmad Mir and Shaheed Ashiq Hussain of Tral area, speakers said that these young boys are laying their lives for a just cause and we salute their sacrifices.

Speakers said that Indian rulers in their pursuit to suppress voices rising in support of Kashmir in Indian states have started intimidating people and charging them with black laws.

Today professor SAR Geealni and many students of JNU are in jails under concocted allegations and rulers and their authorities are trying everything possible to prolong their detention. Speakers said that SAR Geelani is a known social, human rights activist and has been raising his voice for political prisoners, human rights of Kashmiris and other human issues.

Speakers said that arresting SAR Geelani like people on concocted charges and putting them behind bar is condemnable and irony is that no one is today raising voice against Professor Geealni’s incarceration. Speakers said that Kashmiris will keep protesting against this ban on freedom of speech and thought, against incarceration of Professor Geelani and intimidating Kashmiris especially students studying in India.

On the occasion people chanted slogans against arresting Professor SAR Geelani and others and threatening Kashmiris living in India.