Kashmiris Demanded UN Pledged Right of Self-Determination

Although there were several organizations involved in organizing the ‘Million-March’ in New York, none wished to take credit. Obviously the teamwork of hundreds of volunteers made it all happen, and with great success. Their sole purpose was to help the cause of Kashmir, a higher calling that seeks justice and fairness for the lives of Kashmiris, and respect for their right to determine their own future. Credit should instead be given to those millions of Kashmiris who are resisting the occupation of a foreign government.

It is a fact that when people keep cause above their political motives, the outcome is a victory. It is also a fact when people join hands for a great cause, the result is
a success. History tells us that a cause based on international legitimacy and universal principles will never die down. Achieving the ultimate result may take time but justice will not be denied forever.

The ‘Million-March’ initiative was taken in August 2015 by Barrister Sultan Mahmood Choudhary, former prime minister of Azad Kashmir in consultation with the leadership of Kashmiri American community. Within the past three months, the group had more than three dozen meetings in more than one dozen states in the United States which proved very effective in mobilizing thousands of people who came from far off places, like Calgary, Canada; Toronto, Canada; London, England; Illinois, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Virginia, Maryland, Washington, DC, Delaware, etc.

What was amazing was that more than sixty percent of the participants were women and children. Their enthusiasm was genuine. Their sentiments were reflected by waving placards and chanting slogans like:

Wake Wake UN Wake Up;
India Honor UN Pledges;
India Out Of Kashmir;
Kashmiris Demand Right of Self-determination;
No Justice No Peace;
We Want Freedom From India

Barrister Sultan Mahmood Choudhary indicated that the New York Million-March was the second March. The first successful one took place in England in 2014 where more than fifty thousand people participated. He said Kashmiris want a peaceful settlement but if the youth are pushed to the wall without any hope of escape, they will become disappointed which might lead to frustration. That will not help in establishing peace in the region. He therefore urged the international community to resolve the Kashmir dispute for peace and stability in South Asia.

The Barrister condemned the detention of the leadership in Srinagar who wanted to go to the office of the UN and present the memorandum that was to be sent to the Secretary General of the United Nations.

Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Secretary General of the World Kashmir Awareness thanked the friends of Kashmir for their generosity, compassion and friendship. Fai in particular thanked the youth and women for their participation. He pointed out what President Obama has said that Kashmir was the long outstanding dispute between India and Pakistan. That sharply contrasts comments by the Indian foreign minster, Ms. Sushma Suraj, who is repeating the mantra that Kashmir is an integral part of India.

Fai said that Ms. Suraj’s statement goes against the very foundation of international agreements which were agreed by both India and Pakistan at the UN. According to those agreements, Kashmir does not belong to any member state of the United Nations. So, if Kashmir does not belong to any member state of the United Nations, then the claim of Ms. Sushma Suraj that Kashmir is the integral part of India does not stand.

Dr. Fai reiterated that tripartite talks between India, Pakistan and Kashmiri leadership will help resolve the longstanding dispute over Kashmir.

Syed Ali Geelani, Chairman, All Parties Hurriyet Conference expressed thanks to all those people who came to express solidarity with the oppressed people of Jammu & Kashmir. He said that the issue of Kashmir was about the right of self-determination which was guaranteed under the United Nations Security Council resolutions. In his video message, Mr. Geelani termed the latest situation in Kashmir alarming where RSS and its cohorts have a free hand to do whatever they want. Mr. Geelani said that the occupation forces killed more than 100,000 innocent civilians in Kashmir but they could not break the will of the people.

Mr. Geelani appreciated the demilitarization initiative of Mian Nawaz Sharif, however, he explained that it has to be followed by holding of a referendum to give the people of Jammu & Kashmir right to chose. He also clarified that United Nations has to be mandated to supervise the state once the withdrawal of troops takes place from both India and Pakistan.

Yasin Malik, Chairman, Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front, in his video message while expressing his appreciation to the participants of the ‘Million-March,’ accused the government machinery in Kashmir for not giving any space for any political activity. He said that there is the violation of the fundamental right to speech or assembly in Kashmir.

Mr. Malik said that dialogue process has meant meaningless because there is no intention to resolve the Kashmir dispute. He emphasized that the participation of Kashmiris in the dialogue process is the sine qua non for the durable and lasting resolution of the dispute which will guarantee peace and stability in the region of South Asia. Mr. Malik also hit out at Mr. Narendra Modi, the prime minister of India for taking hardline approach on the issue of Kashmir and demanded an environment where people are free to express their views and ideas.

Sardar Sawar Khan, former Advisor to the Azad Kashmir Prime Minister, and the ’emcee’ of the event, who along with his team spent hundreds of hours mobilizing the ‘March,’ paid gratitude to the people for their participation. Sardar Sawar said that the United Nations has the moral obligation to respond to the cries of the children coming from the streets of Srinagar.

A memorandum was presented to the Secretary General of the United Nations in New York which urged the secretary-general to use his good office and appoint a person of international standing , Like President Mary Robinson, Bishop Desmond Tutu or Mr. Kofi Annan, as his special envoy on Kashmir and persuade India and Pakistan to initiate a peace process with the association of United Nations as well as the genuine leadership of the people of Jammu & Kashmir.

Others who spoke included: