London (13 February 2015) In a Commons Seminar held to mark the death anniversary of Maqbool Butt and Afzal Guru, speakers paid rich tribute to the life and struggle of the Kashmiri leader Maqbool Butt and called it an inhuman act to keep mortals remains imprisoned after their hanging. And called upon Indian government to rethink its position with regard to their burial. A joint letter signed by 60 members of parliament was sent to the President of India to ask him to authorize the release of Kashmiri leader's remains to be taken to Kashmir for Islamic burial.

Speaking at the Seminar, the the leader of the Respect Party, George Galloway MP, the most outspoken critic of Isreali atrocities said that he was astounded to hear the plight of the mothers whose sons have been buried in secret. " Israel has done many bad things but even Israel does not keep dead bodies imprisoned". Other members of Parliament who spoke at the seminar, including Yasmin Qureshi MP and John Hemming MP, said that they fully backed the campaign to have the mortal remains of two Kashmiri martyrs released from Tihar jail to be buried in Kashmir. They said that they did not understand why Indian government had taken this decision and what they feared from allowing the Kashmiri leader to be buried in Kashmir.
The host of the seminar, Raja Najabat Hussain of the Kashmir Self-determination Movement echoed their sentiments and thanked members of parliament for their support and said that Kashmiri people should not feel that they alone or no one is listening to them.

A human rights campaigner and lecturer of International Politics at the University of Westminister, Dr Debyesh Anand, analysed in detail Maqbool Butt's lifelong struggle and why India feared from him and hanged him to silence his dream for independence. He said that Kashmiri nation and diaspora needs to be clear about where they want to take this movement and how they are going to achieve their goal.

JKLF president in UK , Azmat Khan, highlighting Maqbool Butt and Afzal Guru's struggle for their nation and for the dream of independent Kashmir said that Maqbool Butt was let down by his friends such as Farooq Abdullah and Muzafar Baig in his hour of need but now Indian parliamentarians and other human rights champions have started to speak out against the injustice done to them. He said Maqbool Butt, who was charged as a Indian agent by Pakistan and ironically India hanged him for the being 'enemy agent', was a visionary leader who had no opportunity to defend his case in courts but knew that his hanging would wake up his nation. He said that Afzal Guru, was a simple follower of Maqbool Butt's dream and was hanged because India needed a scapegoat. 

A film maker, Talat But, screened a documentary on the plight of Maqbool Butt's ailing mother and her last wish to see his son buried in Kashmir. A Rochdale Councillor, Dalat Ali and London Councillor Mehmood Hussain questioned the legal process to claim their mortal remains and called on the Indian and international human rights organization as well as Paksitani government and NGO's to intervene to end the agony of Kashmiri mothers. Among other speakers were several Kashmiri women including Ms Sarah Quyyum, Miss Saima Yousaf who paid rich tribute to the Kashmiri martyrs and called on world community to do more for Kashmir. 

Press Secretary,

JKLF UK & Europe Zone

INVITATION

Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) in Britain has organized a protest in front of Indian High Commission, London in support of the ‘Quit Kashmir’ Campaign initiated by JKLF.

Venue:                                            Indian High Commission, Aldych, London WC2B 4NA

Date:                                                Wednesday, 11^th February 2015

Time:                                               1 – 3 pm

Nearest Tube Station:           Holborn (Central Line)

For More Information, Please contact

Prof Azmat Khan                  Email: President@JKLF.co.uk      

Mahmood Hussain               Mobile: 0795 640 0834       Email: mhussain3@gmail.com

Mr. Tahseen Gilani              Mobile: 0787 748 7696        Email: Secretary@JKLF.co.uk    

Details by A Z Khan 

Date: 25/01/2015Dear Mr. President

When Mr Narendra Modi the Prime Minister of India visited the US in September of 2014, we wrote to the Secretary of State Mr. John Kerry, on the need for an urgent, just and democratic solution of the Kashmir issue and reminded him of your administration’s  responsibilities to support a process for a solution.

Mr. President on the  occasion of your visit to India to participate in its Republic Day celebrations, and to conclude agreements with the Modi government in economic and political relations, and to develop closer ties with India on civil nuclear deal  and strengthen defence and military cooperation, we take the liberty of directly engaging with you through this open letter that as leader of the free world you have a responsibility in relation to the unresolved status of Jammu Kashmir- generally referred to as Kashmir dispute- comprising of regions and territories under both Indian and Pakistani control.

Mr. President the question of Kashmir’s future status is yet to be determined and it is our firm view and expectation that the United States of America will ensure that legitimate and fundamental political rights of 20 million forcibly divided Kashmiris will be recognised as the most important and central factor in any settlement of the issue.

As is befitting of a world power of USA’s stature, we anticipate that you will remind Mr. Modi of India’s obligations towards Kashmir and its people, and will impress upon him that his government must honour the solemn pledges which India made before the world community when it accepted the inherent and inalienable right of self-determination of the Kashmiris- a right which 20 million people of Kashmir have not been allowed to exercise for the past 67 years!

We venture to cite one such poignant example of a solemn pledge which India made on 1st January 1948 when its government took the matter of Kashmir’s status to the UN Security Council and declared “ 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.  And yet Mr President, despite being on the files of the UN with a clearly defined and identified mechanism for its resolution based on the fundamental rights of the Kashmiri people, the issue remains unresolved and as a festering sore and conflict between India and Pakistan that has rendered Kashmiris invisible!

Since the late 1940s India has maintained a huge hostile military presence both on the Cease-Fire- Line (LoC) and since the 1990s in the urban areas. The presence therefore, of over half a million regular Indian troops in Kashmir is nothing other than the presence of a foreign army of occupation. Today Kashmir is the most heavily and densely militarised region in the world. Successive Indian governments and political leaders have reneged on solemn pledges and quite blatantly deny the existence of a genuine sentiment and struggle for self-determination of the Kashmiris.

India and Pakistan Mr President, have fought wars over Kashmir and despite the existence of a cease fire between them since 2003, armies of both countries exchange heavy fire across the LoC where they are deployed in large numbers eye-ball- to eye ball against each other. Their daily exchanges of fire cause casualties not only of military personnel on both sides but also of many Kashmiri civilians who live along both sides of forced Line of Control-LoC-.

The actions and attitude of the Modi government since it came to power in 2014 give Kashmiris no cause for confidence for an early resolution on the question of reunification and a political status of their choice in Kashmir. On the contrary Mr Modi’s attitude and actions are aggressive, bellicose and hegemonic both in relation to Pakistan and the Kashmiris.

Since he came to power in the summer of 2014 Prime Minister Modi visited Indian held Jammu Kashmir eight times. It is quite clear that each of the eight visits by Mr Modi, was intended to conquer Kashmir rather than resolve the long standing issue of its future political and constitutional status. Instead of conquering Kashmir Mr. Modi has alas communalised the body politics and socio- political culture of Kashmiri people who on the whole are tolerant and non-communal unlike people in most other parts of South Asia.

For electoral gains Mr Modi has attempted to create a cleavage on the basis of regional differences and ethnicity. In the recent elections in Indian held Kashmir his government imprisoned the leaders of Jammu Kashmir liberation Front-JKLF- because the JKLF opposed the elections, as such elections could not be considered as an alternative to the right of self-determination and reunification of Kashmir. Mr Yasin Malik the Chairman of the JKLF was incarcerated during the entire two months period of the election process; depriving him his fundamental democratic right to engage with the masses on the question of Kashmir’s political; status.

The inconclusive election results and failure to form a government in Kashmir and the imposition of Presidential rule, is proof that Mr Modi’s aggressive and chauvinistic political ideology has exacerbated and polarised the political and social environment, and by his actions Mr Modi is orchestrating to subvert the national and political character of Jammu Kashmir to create facts on the ground that would  support his political objective of  assimilation of Kashmir and  dilution of its identity and loss of its centuries old  communal internal harmony.  Mr Modi wants to create facts on the ground by assimilation into India of Kashmir in contravention of all international and bilateral agreements on the question of its future status.

Mr. President we would like to reiterate very strongly our position that, Kashmir issue is wrongly viewed as a dispute between India and Pakistan. Undoubtedly of course, it is because of the entrenched nature of Indian and Pakistani positions and especially of Indian intransigence over Kashmir, which is a major obstacle in the path toward progress for a peaceful solution. It is however our firm belief that the world community in general and the United States of America in particular must see this dispute as an issue that concerns the fundamental right of Kashmiris to political expression, democratic rights and sovereignty over their country, which at present is de-facto ruled by India and Pakistan, with little or no democratic sovereignty of the people over their socio- economic and political affairs.

In reality and in fact within the historic dimensions of the Kashmir issue, world community and in particular the permanent members of the UN Security Council, are a party to the Kashmir dispute, and thus have a solemn obligation to play a role towards finding a peaceful solution based on the fundamental principle of free will of Kashmiri people.

Mr President we consider it our democratic right to seek and indeed expect, that the US extends full diplomatic, political and moral support to Kashmiris in their legitimate struggle to peacefully secure reunification of their country that has been divided for the past sixty seven years. As you are aware this division of land and the people has been forced upon Kashmiris- and the Indo- Pakistan dimensions over the conflict have rendered the people simply invisible. The suffering and humiliation that Kashmiris have endured since 1947 is nothing less than a tragedy of a subjugated and oppressed nation.

Tens of thousands of Kashmiri families remain divided and are unable to meet each-other in times of grief and joy. Those who are lucky enough to obtain visas have to navigate unfathomable beauracratic hurdles on both sides. This is a state of affairs that would not be accepted or tolerated anywhere else. This is exactly why the ‘Iron Curtain’ was brought down in the west. We seek the same through peaceful exercise of our right of self-determination.

Kashmiris in general, and the leadership of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front- JKLF- in particular is committed to making Kashmir a bridge of peace, friendship and prosperity between India and Pakistan as a considered party policy, and a long standing national objective. We believe that a free and sovereign Kashmir will truly become a peaceful bridge that India, Pakistan, the region and the world needs, especially at a time when all around us there is turmoil, conflict, mistrust and extremism in the region and elsewhere. Resolution of the Kashmir conflict therefore is the vital proverbial key that will unlock the tremendous potential of both countries for the region and the world for peace and prosperity.

Mr President we are confident that you will seize the opportunity of meeting the Indian Prime Minister and will discharge your administration’s and your nation’s historic international obligation, and persuade Mr. Modi to adopt the direction of justice, democracy and respect for the national aspiration and the inherent and inalienable rights of the people of Jammu Kashmir.

In anticipation with warm regards

For and on behalf of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front-JKLF

Prof. Zafar Khan. Chairman of Diplomatic Bureau

London Secretariat: 119-123 Cannon Street Road. North Basement London E1 2LX

Email: zafargk@aol.com

Elections in Indian held Kashmir and detention of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front-JKLF- Chairman Yasin Malik –a serious question mark on Indian democracy.

 Luton- UK: 25 Dec.

A meeting of solidarity with the JKLF and its Chairman Mr Yasin Malik was held here on 24 December in support of the anti-election stance of the JKLF and its Chairman in Indian held Kashmir.  JKLF Chairman went on a hunger strike three days prior to his release between the early hours of December 23 and December 24, in protest at the repressive and vindictive actions of Indian authorities against JKLF activists and their families, relatives and friends in Srinagar especially in Maisooma  and neighbourhoods where  total boycott of the polls took place.

Speaking at the meeting  JKLF’s head of  Diplomatic Bureau Prof Zafar Khan strongly condemned Indian authorities for  keeping JKLF Chairman Mr Yasin Malik incarcerated for almost two months during the entire duration of the  election period in Indian held Jammu Kashmir. He called Indian actions undemocratic, inhuman and callous, and urged the International community and humanitarian organisations including those in India, to take serious note of the undemocratic and inhuman behaviour of India’s State apparatus in Indian held Jammu Kashmir. He accused the Indian government of Narendra Modi of showing utter disregard and contempt by violating the most sacred and fundamental democratic principles of political rights and freedom of speech during the elections.

Quite clearly Mr Yasin Malik and his party the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front-JKLF were denied both of these basic principles and rights as a result of Mr Malik’s incarceration and oppressive actions against the JKLF activists during and after the election process. He reminded the meeting that Mr Yasin Malik opposed the elections in Kashmir within the framework of Indian constitution, which he and the JKLF does not recognise as an alternative to Kashmiris’ right of self-determination, and reunification of forcibly divided Jammu Kashmir between India and Pakistan since.

He said that the concerted and orchestrated campaign, the repressive and undemocratic actions by the Indian government can only be described as a desperate attempt to silence the JKLF and deprive Kashmiri masses of a genuine and representative voice. He accused Indian authorities of being extremely indifferent, negligent and callous toward Mr Malik’s medical condition during his 7 week incarceration by shifting him from hospital to prison cell, especially since he has a long standing kidney ailment that requires regular medical care and treatment.  He said the authorities’ inattentive attitude to Mr Malik’s health needs during his hunger strike in particular, has caused   resentment and anger within Kashmiris across both sides of the Cease-Fire Line in Kashmir and throughout the Kashmiri Diaspora.

 Referring to the  post-election situation in Indian held Kashmir Zafar Khan said  despite visiting Jammu Kashmir eight times in  his six month tenure as Prime Minister of India, Mr  Modi has not only failed to obtain the desired results in Jammu Kashmir, he has further fanned the flames and heightened the passions for a permanent solution of Kashmir dispute. The election results have created a climate of uncertainty and an inevitable political stalemate. Zafar Khan called this state of affairs a consequence of communal political agenda which the Bharatiya Janata Party-the BJP-under Mr Modi pursued particularly in the Jammu region Kashmir.

However he said despite BJP’s communal manoeuvring to further its Hindutva and Akhand Bharat philosophy, people of Jammu Kashmir have clearly not gone along with Mr Modi’s government. But he raised a note of caution in particular to people of Jammu region to resist communally divisive and assimilationist political agenda of the BJP in respect of the identity, solidarity and ultimate unity of the entire state, including regions of Azad Jammu Kashmir- Gilgit Baltistan, and pointed out that this identity and solidarity needed to be jealously guarded and protected against forces of communal and ethnic divisions.

He said Mr Malik and his party seek a peaceful and democratic solution of Kashmir dispute and said we have intimated this to major powers including the UK, the USA and all the UN member countries including the members of the UN Security Council prior to, and during the current election in Indian Held Kashmir. He said we hope and anticipate that the world community will stand up and take note of double standards of Indian democracy in relation to Jammu Kashmir, and cited the example of the Scottish referendum in which people of Scotland were allowed their democratic right to decide whether they wished Scotland to remain as part of the United Kingdom or become an independent country. He said Mr Narendra Modi has embarked upon a vendetta against the JKLF and its leadership. India claims to be a strong democracy and yet it  prevented Mr  Malik and his party from  campaigning against the  election in Jammu Kashmir  and prevented him from a direct contact with the people  by keeping him and many of his colleagues behind bars during the election.

Zafar Khan concluded by reminding the Major Powers that like twenty million people of forcibly divided Jammu Kashmir Mr Yasin Malik also seeks to decide a political and constitutional status of his mother land through a fair, free, transparent and democratic process as was exercised by the Scottish people; and said that  the presence of seven hundred thousand military and security personnel as well as the overwhelming physical influence of the Indian State apparatus in Jammu Kashmir, election process of the kind that has just been concluded is not an alternative to a lasting and just solution of the Kashmir issue. End.

 =========

Mahmud Hussain

Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front-JKLF-

Diplomatic Bureau

London Secretariat

119-123   Cannon Street Road

Basement North  London E1 2LX

Email contact: zafargk@aol.com

Sikhs & Kashmiris Unite In London for Freedom.

Joint Protest in front of Indian High Commission London

London (16 August 2014): Representing a common front against Indian imperialism, Sikhs and Kashmiris hold a joint protest in London on India’s Independence Day.

The protestors re-affirmed their unshakeable commitment to secure freedom for their respective nations and called on the international community to help end the illegal occupation of their homelands from India.

JKLF delegation was led by Zonal Senior Vice President Mahmood Hussain. While addrsssing the gathering he said that while millions of Indians from last 66 years are celebrating this day as their Independence day with  great enthusiasm but  at the same time Kashmiri nation has been equally for all these years observing this day as a Black Day. Mahmood Hussain said that on this day we want to remind the Indian leadership of the pledges made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and reiterate our demand of right to self-determination.

The protestors were carrying banners "Stop Killings in Kashmir" "Free Kashmir", "Kashmir Belongs to Kashmiris”, “India Quit Kashmir” and more. 

On Behalf of

Press Secretary

JKLF (UK & Europe)

London (July 03, 2014) - The members of JKLF in Britain held an hour long vigil outside the Indian High Commission in London and presented a memorandum to the Indian high commissioner against the harsh and undemocratic treatment meted out to JKLF functionaries in Indian held Kashmir at the launch of the ‘Quit Kashmir’ Campaign.

The memorandum reminded newly elected Prime Minister of India Mr Narendra Modi who will be visiting Indian held Jammu Kashmir on 4 July 2014, that any attempt by his government to further dilute the social, cultural and political character of  Jammu Kashmir will be met with full popular resistance through the Quit Kashmir Campaign both inside and outside Kashmir.

JKLF functionaries in UK condemned the arrest of over 100 JKLF activists and leaders including Chairman Yasin Malik on the start of the Quit Kashmir Campaign.

Memorandum was presented by JKLF's senior functionaries including Professor Zafar Khan head of JKLF's Diplomatic Bureau, Mr Mahmood Hussain, Senior Vice President, Professor Liaqat Ali, M. Faiz, Javaid Rashid & Sanwar Hussain.

Below is the copy of the Memorandum which was presented to the high Commissioner in London on 2 July 2014.

On behalf of 

Press Secretary

JKLF UK & Europe 

London (June 29 2014)

Members of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front-JKLF- organized a vigil at Trafalgar Square in London to coincide with 'International day in support of Victims of Torture'. The event was held to support of the ‘Quit Kashmir’ Campaign initiated by JKLF Chairman Mr Yasin Malik on 23rd June 2014

 Members of the JKLF solicited support for the Kashmir cause by engaging with the public through distribution of hand outs and direct engagement.

The activity was led by  JKLF's senior functionaries in including  Professor Zafar Khan head of JKLF's Diplomatic Bureau, Mr Mahmood Hussain, Senior Vice President  and Syed Tehsin Gilani, General Secretary of the JKLF for UK and Europe. Other members included M. Faiz,  Tariq Sharif, Sanawar Hussain and many more.  

JKLF has planned numerous activities in support of the 'Quit Kashmir' campaign including, demonstrations, vigils, seminars, press conferences lobbying of political  leaders in the UK and Europe  over the coming weeks. 

On behalf of 

Press Secretary

JKLF UK & Europe 

London (13 June 2014)

JKLF President in Britain Prof. Azmat Khan has welcomed the new international protocol with international standards for documenting and investigating sexual violence in conflict zones. In a statement issued from London, JKLF President hoped that  practical steps will be taken to reduce the dangers women face in conflict zones around the world and that Indian armed forces will no longer enjoy impunity against such heinous crimes. The UN backed initiative urges countries to strengthen domestic laws so that those responsible for these terrible crimes in conflict areas such as Kashmir are brought to justice and that crimes of sexual violence are excluded from amnesty provisions.

JKLF officials visited this first ever “Global Summit to end sexual Violence in Conflict” held in London. The summit was being conducted by world renowned actress and UN special envoy Angelina Jolie and co-hosted by British Foreign Secretary William Hague. The summit has been attended by high profile delegates / Government representatives of over 100 countries.

JKLF delegates spoke to different media personnel at the event and highlighted the plight of Kashmiri women who have been subject to violence from last over 2 decades in the hands of Indian Government forces.

Delegation handed out specially prepared handouts on the rape and atrocities committed by Indian occupational forces. The delegation also gave briefing to several international TV / Media channels on the subject and stressed that the people of the world must speak out against sexual violence in Kashmir too.

JKLF delegation also met dozens of NGO’s and briefed them. Many of the visitors were horrified and shocked and were unaware of these atrocities taking place in Kashmir.

JKLF delegation including Senior Vice President of JKLF in Britain Mahmood Hussain, Mahmood Faiz, Javaid Rashid and Tariq Sharif.

Press Secretary,

JKLF UK

Luton- England: 03 March 2014-

Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) has paid glowing tributes to its late leader Zafar Iqbal Sharif. In this regard, a condolence meeting to pay respects to the memory of JKLF leader Zafar Sharif was held in Luton, England.

Speakers lauded the role of Late Zafar Sharif and said that his death in February 2010 has also left a huge vacuum in JKLF ranks and also charitable work that he had co-ordinated since the devastation of the October 2005 earthquake in Kashmir. The speakers concluded that the most appropriate tribute to Zafar Sharif memory and his legacy would that the leadership and party workers alike follow and adopt his example of self less devotion and duty to the cause of freedom and justice for over 15 million people of divided Jammu Kashmir.

Speaking on the occasion Head of JKLF’s Diplomatic Committee Professor Zafar Khan said that Zafar Sharif was a dedicated and committed member of the JKLF who loyally served the party since he joined it in 1986. He was a party man and worked immensely for the consensus within Kashmiri people. Zafar Khan praised his selfless devotion to the cause of freedom and said that his interaction with others was always determined by his sense of duty and service for the national cause.

Malik Latif Khan, with whom late Zafar Sharif worked closely for over twenty two years, said he is being greatly missed by the organisation and his colleagues, and termed his demise as a great loss and a blow to the JKLF and the freedom struggle. Malik Latif called him an excellent human being, dedicated political worker, a person of great character, philanthropic and one who possessed strong belief in Allah and immense love for the Holly Prophet of Islam –Muhammad-PBUH.

Tariq Sharif, brother of Late Zafar Sharif while speaking on this occasion, thanked the Luton branch of JKLF for organising the tribute meeting. He said that the ultimate tribute to him would be to carry forward his mission and work tirelessly for the cause which was so close to his heart. Usman Sharif, elder son of Late Zafar Sharif also spoke on this occasion.

Other Senior JKLF leaders who spoke and paid rich tributes to late Zafar Sharif’s contribution to the freedom struggle included Sabir Gul, Yousaf Chaudry, Ejaz Malik, Kaman Afsar, Professor Liaqat Khan, Chaudhry Liaqat Ali, Kaman Afsar, Malik Shafi, Bashir Bazam, Master Mohammad Saleem, Sanawar Hussain & Others. 

(London - 12th February 2014): JKLF UK & Europe Zone organized a protest rally in front of Indian High commission in London on 11 February 2014 to mark the 30^th Martyrdom Anniversary of Maqbool Butt Shaheed. Protesters shouted slogans of “Stop Killings in Kashmir”, “Handover remains of Maqbool Butt & Afzal Guru” and in favour of complete independence of Jammu Kashmir. Graham Williamson of Nations Without States also joined the protesters.

A petition signed by over 50 British Parliamentarians was also presented to the officials of the high commission on this occasion. The petition asked the Indian President Pranab Mukherjee to handover the mortal remain of Maqbool Butt Shaheed to his relatives for proper burial.

Press Secretary,

JKLF UK Zone                     

Email: info@jklf.co.uk

Web: www.jklf.co.uk            /           www.JKLF.ORG

Maqbool Butt: Background Information

Maqbool Butt, Kashmir’s most revered leader of the impendence movement and a former ‘prisoner of conscience’,  was imprisoned in Pakistan for his radical views and was  labelled as an ‘enemy agent’ there, but ironically hanged by India on 11 February, 1984, exactly one week before his 46th birthday.  He was executed inside Delhi’s Tihar Jail where he had been imprisoned for 8 years awaiting trial of a politically motivated case against him.

According to Amnesty International Annual Report (1978), who campaigned for his release from prison for many years, he had been sentenced to death for a murder charge under section 3 of the ‘Enemy Agents Ordinance’. In its annual report in 1982, Amnesty International highlighted this case again and stated that “members of political parties have been sentenced to death following conviction for murder”. The death penalty imposed on Maqbool Butt by a Srinagar High Court judge some 14 years earlier in absentia was a cause for concern to AI as there was no apparent appeal for such a sentence under that law. In its 2008 report entitled, ‘Lethal Lottery; Death Penalty in India’, Amnesty International highlighted the missing record of his appeals in the Indian supreme court and expressed concerns that “no court judgements in his case are available”.

The Maqbool Butt story did not end in 1984 with his hanging. Indian authorities refused to hand over his body to his relatives and buried him inside Tihar jail.  A petition in high court seeking permission to remove his remains to his birthplace in Tregham, district Kapwara (J&K) was refused by India.

According to ITN news reports thousands of Kashmiris took to the streets of London to protest against Maqbool Butt’s hanging in India in 1984. For the past 28 years JKLF members in UK have regularly petitioned Indian government through its mission in London to demand the return of his remains.  Maqbool Butt’s two brothers, Ghulam Nabi Butt and Manzoor Butt were also killed in Kashmir in the 1990s but his 3 surviving children still live in Pakistan or in Azad Kashmir. With the outbreak of armed movement in J&K in 1988, Maqbool Butt’s grave in Tihar jail became the most revered tomb for Kashmiri prisoners until it was reportedly desecrated by prison authorities a few years ago. For the last 28 years, his death anniversary on 11th February, is commemorated every year on both sides of Kashmir when Kashmiri men, women and children take out protest rallies in every town and city demanding that his body should be handed over to his family for Islamic burial in Kashmir.  

Email: info@jklf.co.uk

www.jklf.co.uk           /           www.JKLF.ORG