CAN WE ACTUALLY SAY THAT SHEIKH MUHAMMAD ABDULLAH MADE THE RIGHT DECISION?: HABIB YOUSAFZAI, CHAIRMAN OF THE KASHMIR DIASPORA ALLIANCE

CAN WE ACTUALLY SAY THAT SHEIKH MUHAMMAD ABDULLAH MADE THE RIGHT DECISION?: HABIB YOUSAFZAI, CHAIRMAN OF THE KASHMIR DIASPORA ALLIANCE

http://kashmirdiasporaa.blogspot.com/2013/12/can-we-actually-say-that-sheikh.html

ASSALM-O-ALAIKUM!

We must face the facts! Can we actually lie to ourselves and ignore the decades of oppression and human rights violations? Can we actually say that Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah made the right decision?

Despite what Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah may have thought when in 1947 he “preferred” the Indian state to that of Pakistan, it is clear now that we must not go off decisions made off of intentions. Omar, grandson of Sheikh Abdullah maybe right that his grandfather wanted the best for Kashmir, and hence, believed that this interest or goal would best be served with the Indian state. However, what is the reality now over six decades later?

The fact is, India has failed the people of Internationally Disputed Areas of Jammu and Kashmir (IDA:JK or the Maqbooza Kashmir), and, have forcibly occupied them for over six decades. The citizens of IDA:JK have been barred from taking part in the plebiscite which they have long been promised; something which India itself initiated through the UN. Daily human rights violations of the severest nature are taking place in the occupied territories. Muslims are second class citizens within India. Hundreds of thousands have been killed through state sponsored actions. Just as alarming, the Indian government is attempting to strategically alter the demographic makeup of IDA:JK in order to render plebiscite useless, with the Jammu region already being inhabited by over 60% Hindu majority. Should we ignore the reality that soon this region will be totally devoid of any Muslim presence as per the general trajectory in the region? These changes are very similar to that of Spain, which was once flourishing under the rule of the Moors, and now, has absolutely no native Muslim presence.  

It is important to question than if Sheikh Abdullah actually made the right decision. Should we as Muslims, but more importantly, as human beings actually legitimize India’s illegal occupation?  We must move past looking at only intentions and pipedreams and focus on reality. The people of IDA:JK deserve their God given and human right to plebiscite. Only through this means can they receive justice which been so long overdue.