JKLF Letter to European Commission regarding Modi's visit to Brussels
H.E
Madame Frederica Mogherini
High
Representative of the 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 Madam 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. Madam 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 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 madam 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 madam 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 deny 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 has
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
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