Farcicial Kashmir Elections
By Naveed Khan
San Jose, CA
The Indian Occupied Kashmir government, led by an ardent Hindu governor, shattered the myth of secularism and neutrality when it allotted state land to Hindus for the Amarnath pilgrimage. The move led to violent protests by the valley Muslims. The divide between the valley Muslims and predominantly Hindu Jammu has never been more marked and complete.
After the Hindus blockaded the valley traders to pressure the state government, there was complete alienation between the two communities of J&K. The valley sentiments today are more pro-Pakistan than ever before. Kashmir valley Muslims now prefer trading with fellow Kashmiris from across the Line of Control that has divided them for the last 61 years. Sentiments of the valley Kashmiris are clearly demonstrated by their march to LoC in August to force open an artificial border and dozens of Kashmiris were gunned down by brutal use of force. Now in November is staged the farcical election that India has used to deny Kashmiris their right to freedom and dignity.
The Indians claim that by participating in the elections the Kashmiris have exercised their choice and hence given away the right to self-determination promised by the Indian leaders and world community in 1948 via a United Nations resolution. In order to convince the world that it allows Kashmiris the right of self-governance India has turned the Kashmir valley into an armed enclave by deploying over a quarter million troops in a small region.
These elections are a farce; the governments elected via this exercise have no real political or administrative power. Kashmir is and will always be ruled by the state governor, who is appointed directly by New Delhi and the military that enjoys unfettered powers to arrest and kill at will. According to Indian government sources, thousands of Kashmiris have died since their latest resistance started in 1989 and thousands have simply disappeared. In April this year, about one thousand unmarked graves were discovered in the valley and are widely believed to be of those who were arrested by the authorities and later killed.
India’s secularism was truly exposed when the state allotted the land to Hindu preachers and for Hindu pilgrimage. Its democratic credentials are exposed when such farcical elections are held under the dictates of gun. All the leaders, who advocated independence and are pro-freedom have been detained and refused to hold protest rallies.
The world should take notice of this sham perpetrated by the Indian government and stand with the brave and indomitable Kashmiri people. These brave and steadfast people have refused to accept Indian dominance or to be designated as Indians. Kashmiris deserve freedom; they need our support and admiration. Kashmirs have never been Indians and will never be Indians. The farce of elections in Kashmir must be exposed and the freedom struggle accelerated.
Long live the freedom struggle of Kashmiris.
