Srinagar: Chairman of Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday said that as the flip-flop continues, there is not so much a change of heart of the rulers but rather a change of strategy forced upon them by the change in circumstances.
He was addressing largest gathering on Jumat-ul-vida at historic Jamia Masjid Srinagar. Mirwaiz talked about the current situation in the valley in the light of recent developments.
Mirwaiz said that as the flip-flop continues, what “we are observing is not so much a change of heart of the rulers but rather a change of strategy forced upon them by the change in circumstances.”
Mirwaiz said the policy of extreme repression was pursued as a state policy since BJP came to power in New Delhi four years ago which was a complete departure from the way previous BJP regime led by Mr. Vajpayee.
“An all out assault was launched on people in all fronts militarily legally economically or though plans of demographic change. Article 370 ,35 A challenged in Indian courts, GST implemented in defiance of special status and laws of the state pushing of SARFESAI act, separate settlements for certain communities along Israeli pattern of settlements ,Viscous and negative propaganda on Kashmir to cripple economy by dissuading outsiders to come here was part of plan.”
Regular arrest and detention of leadership and the NIA harassment and witch hunt. “On the military front an all out offensive was launched by the name of operation all out in which hundreds of civilians were also killed besides killing armed youth. It was actually operation “wipe out” of Kashmiri’s as men women young or old were not spared.”
Even lactating mothers were killed, he added. On LOC more belligerences was adopted escalating the situation.
“All this was pursued in partnership with willing local collaborators who to stay on to chair provided a buffer for these polices and helped carry them out ,backstabbing those who had reposed some faith in them in electing them .”
Mirwaiz said for the past 30 years in particular Kashmiri’s are facing this situation but it worsened in the last four yrs of the BJP PDP rule when the harshest of repression measures were tried and tested. Mirwaiz said it was the failure of this harsh policy and the resultant international pressure that today we see the “softening” in their stand. It’s the change in circumstance rather than change in heart.
Mirwaiz said what brought this change in circumstances is the persistence and commitment of the people to their struggle for asserting their right to decide their destiny and rejecting occupation. It is the blood and sacrifice of life of our youth, their zeal and courage to stand up to the might of the third largest military power in the world which is no small feat. It’s this commitment , this fearlessness of the people in the face of extreme repression that has forced GOI and its generals to talk of lose -lose for both sides if military option is pursued further. “It’s not a small achievement that the determination of our youth made the world’s third largest military might admit this.”
Mirwaiz said it’s the victory of peoples perseverance their faith their sabr. “Despite utmost killings repression humiliation harassment intimidation GOI has failed in subduing the Kashmiri’s or dissuading them from their path of fighting for their fundamental right. Infact repression has added to the anger and alienation forcing many among the youth mostly educated and well settled boys like Prof Riyaz to sadly take to gun. Every youth in Kashmir has shown resilience to occupation and rejection to subjugation in some way or other. Their deep connect with the struggle for self-determination in visible everywhere. Whether protesting on streets, or in their educational institutions or participating in funerals of martyrs or the cyber world or in social media.
“This has made GOI realize that despite its huge military apparatus and all resources at its disposal it has failed to crush the people and the sentiment.”
“We are happy that for whatever reason, if good sense has prevailed upon GOI and they have realized the futility of using force on people in this David vs Goliath battle of justice vs occupation principles vs opportunism .Mirwaiz said the credit for any effort on part of GOI if it really means to resolve the dispute, only goes to the perseverance of the people of Kashmir especially the youth.”
Mirwaiz said the pro-freedom leadership was in no hurry to respond to Delhi’s assertions over dialogue and will discuss the matter in the coming days and after due deliberations respond.
Mirwaiz said I ask those who give us sermons on peace and development that which people in the world would not want development or best of institutions for their children best of progress of growth for themselves ? The youth of Kashmir are no different they too would want the same but unlike their counterparts in the region , they live in a conflict zone which by virtue of being in a conflict has been turned into the world’s most militarized zone! “Our children have inherited this conflict situation. They are baptized by repression by suppression that they witness all around them in their everyday life.”
Mirwaiz said if the situation changes for the people their circumstances will automatically change. “If GOI really cares for our children and young as it claims, it’s welcome as It’s a human gesture. We also want our children to be nurtured and believe that it’s possible once they are brought out of the uncertainty that surrounds them. It entails resolution of Kashmir dispute above their stated position and looking at Jammu and Kashmir in the wider context of humanity and justice .”
