Muslim Conference is the oldest political party of Kashmir. After 1947 it was completely banished from Indian side of the ceasefire line where as it remained a dominant political party across line of actual control (LOC). National Conference is the secularized version of Muslim Conference. It remained main political forum on Indian side of LOC. Treachery of Sheikh Abdullah, intellectual bankruptcy of Farooq Abdullah, Omer Abdullah’s assignments as Bach-i-kot of Indian foreign ministry landed National Conference into a mess. Inspite of erosion of its mass base it has presence in most parts of the state. Another politico-religious party that has presence across the state is Jammati Islami. Apart from these groups all other political formations are localized and do not wield influence in every part of the state.
History of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) doesn’t proceed beyond past three and a half years. Like its short history its constituency also remains limited. For a student of Kashmir politics it’s almost impossible to identify any area or segment of society which can be attributed to PDP. Rank and file of PDP consists of bunch of rootless politicians who remained associated with different pro-India political parties especially Congress. On this account the party can be described as a localized version of Indian National Congress. Inspite of short history and limited constituency the party has high estimations about itself. Whatever steps are taken by India and Pakistan under compulsions of geopolitics PDP projects itself as an architect of these measures and takes credit for them. It seems that if Americans leave Iraq and Afghanistan withdrawal of American troops will be attributed by PDP to the ongoing U.S visit of Mufti Syed. For past two years apart from taking credit for transport across LOC, PDP has been talking a lot about Self Rule.
The self rule of PDP is projected as advancement over NC’s autonomy and reflection of Musharaff’s vision. The contents of self rule as divulged by different PDP leaders however make it obvious that it is nothing but a device of perpetuation of subjugation. Before his departure to U.S Mufti made a claim that Article (256) of the Indian constitution shall be abrogated .Article (256) is not Kashmir specific. There are so many regional parties which have been demanding its abrogation. If it gets abrogated state governments can’t be dismissed by the center. Kashmiri’s have been experiencing only nominated governments legitimized through fake elections. One puppet after another has been installed over here and thrown away as he out lived his utility for New Delhi. Dismissal and removal of state governments is an issue for people of Indian states not for Kashmiri’s. Mufti Mohammad Syed also depicted restoration of an elected Sadri Riyasat of the type that dethroned Sheikh Abdullah from Prime Minister-Ship and landed him in prison for fourteen long years. One more novel idea of Mufti Syed is creation of assemblies for Jammu and Ladakh region. Irrelevance of his ideas relating to Sadri Riyasat is too obvious to need any elaboration but his idea about regional assemblies is based on logic. The logic is that Dogras and Buddhists of Ladakh are scared of Muslim majority of the state thus need to manage their own affairs. The logic is equally relevant to cessation of Kashmir from India. The way Dogras don’t feel complacent under Kashmiri majority same way Kashmiris do not feel secure in a Hindu dominated India. Similar is the situation of people of Doda, Punch, Rajouri, Gool and Bani areas of Jammu and Kargil who are unlikely to feel complacent if assigned to the control of Jammu and Ladakh assemblies. Mufti’s plan seems to be simple. Extract Jammu and Ladakh out of the state. Confine Kashmir problem to the valley alone.
Mr. Muzaffar Hussain Beigh stands for retention of some post-1953 extensions of Indian Constitutional provisions and laws to the state. Part III of the Indian Constitution has been specifically mentioned by him. No doubt Part III of Indian Constitution is Indian charter of human rights. This charter however didn’t come to the rescue of Kashmiris ever since it was extended to the state of Jammu and Kashmir .Rampant human rights abuses, torture, extra judicial killings, molestation, degrading and inhuman treatment remains the fate of Kashmiri’s despite applicability of Part III of the Indian Constitution. Part III of the Indian constitution doesn’t represent the ideal draft of the human rights and falls far short of the International standards inspite of liberal interpretations of it by the courts. Why can’t Kashmiri’s envision their own bill of human rights the way Americans have one along with their Constitution and Declaration of Independence. After all Part III of the Indian Constitution did not deter Indian state and its local extension from implementing draconian laws like Public Safety Act (PSA) and Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). These legislations empower petty security officials to shoot Kashmiris and blast their houses merely on the basis of suspicion. For availing the remedies which were projected as heart and soul of the Indian constitution victims need permission of state to initiate litigation against oppressive officials in uniform.
Mr. Muzaffar Hussain Beigh is also fond of Indian Election Commission and wants its jurisdiction to be retained over Kashmir. This affection for Indian Election Commission animates out of its performance in Kashmir. The performance has been nothing other than certifying fake and bungled elections continuously for a period of more than half a century. Mr. Beigh himself conceded the fact that all the elections in Kashmir were bungled during the recent seminar at Centour Hotel. Kashmir was one of the least corrupt princely states prior to 1947. Entrenchment of New Delhi’s rule in Kashmir has elevated it to the top position among corrupt states under the super vision and certification Auditor General of India. Beneficiaries of moral and material corruption would definitely want to perpetuate this state of affairs.
General Musharaff’s self rule has to proceed demilitarization. PDP is against demilitarization. General Musharaff’s self rule has to be under joint Indo-Pak management of the state. PDP’s self rule is envisioned within the parameters of the Indian Constitution. Musharaff’s self rule is prelude to exercise of right of self determination by Kashmiris. PDP’s self rule is for negation of right of self determination. Despite similar terminologies the concepts are poles apart. Alphaz hai doonu main yeksaan magar, Musharaff ka self rule aour, Mufti ka self rule aour. Despite use of similar terminologies self rule of PDP remains a sugar coated device or perpetuation of subjugation of Kashmiris.
PDP came to power through largely boycotted and manipulated elections. At that time it didn’t talk of self rule. Why talk of self rule now? Is it PDP’s counter part of NC’s autonomy? Is it a device to blunt Musharaff’s peace offensive on Kashmir? Is it an attempt to assume an identity and quest in search of relevance in other wise depleting fortunes? Or a camouflage to cover up PDP’s role of stepping into the shoes of NC for defending Indian position on Kashmir in United Nations and other International forums?
History of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) doesn’t proceed beyond past three and a half years. Like its short history its constituency also remains limited. For a student of Kashmir politics it’s almost impossible to identify any area or segment of society which can be attributed to PDP. Rank and file of PDP consists of bunch of rootless politicians who remained associated with different pro-India political parties especially Congress. On this account the party can be described as a localized version of Indian National Congress. Inspite of short history and limited constituency the party has high estimations about itself. Whatever steps are taken by India and Pakistan under compulsions of geopolitics PDP projects itself as an architect of these measures and takes credit for them. It seems that if Americans leave Iraq and Afghanistan withdrawal of American troops will be attributed by PDP to the ongoing U.S visit of Mufti Syed. For past two years apart from taking credit for transport across LOC, PDP has been talking a lot about Self Rule.
The self rule of PDP is projected as advancement over NC’s autonomy and reflection of Musharaff’s vision. The contents of self rule as divulged by different PDP leaders however make it obvious that it is nothing but a device of perpetuation of subjugation. Before his departure to U.S Mufti made a claim that Article (256) of the Indian constitution shall be abrogated .Article (256) is not Kashmir specific. There are so many regional parties which have been demanding its abrogation. If it gets abrogated state governments can’t be dismissed by the center. Kashmiri’s have been experiencing only nominated governments legitimized through fake elections. One puppet after another has been installed over here and thrown away as he out lived his utility for New Delhi. Dismissal and removal of state governments is an issue for people of Indian states not for Kashmiri’s. Mufti Mohammad Syed also depicted restoration of an elected Sadri Riyasat of the type that dethroned Sheikh Abdullah from Prime Minister-Ship and landed him in prison for fourteen long years. One more novel idea of Mufti Syed is creation of assemblies for Jammu and Ladakh region. Irrelevance of his ideas relating to Sadri Riyasat is too obvious to need any elaboration but his idea about regional assemblies is based on logic. The logic is that Dogras and Buddhists of Ladakh are scared of Muslim majority of the state thus need to manage their own affairs. The logic is equally relevant to cessation of Kashmir from India. The way Dogras don’t feel complacent under Kashmiri majority same way Kashmiris do not feel secure in a Hindu dominated India. Similar is the situation of people of Doda, Punch, Rajouri, Gool and Bani areas of Jammu and Kargil who are unlikely to feel complacent if assigned to the control of Jammu and Ladakh assemblies. Mufti’s plan seems to be simple. Extract Jammu and Ladakh out of the state. Confine Kashmir problem to the valley alone.
Mr. Muzaffar Hussain Beigh stands for retention of some post-1953 extensions of Indian Constitutional provisions and laws to the state. Part III of the Indian Constitution has been specifically mentioned by him. No doubt Part III of Indian Constitution is Indian charter of human rights. This charter however didn’t come to the rescue of Kashmiris ever since it was extended to the state of Jammu and Kashmir .Rampant human rights abuses, torture, extra judicial killings, molestation, degrading and inhuman treatment remains the fate of Kashmiri’s despite applicability of Part III of the Indian Constitution. Part III of the Indian constitution doesn’t represent the ideal draft of the human rights and falls far short of the International standards inspite of liberal interpretations of it by the courts. Why can’t Kashmiri’s envision their own bill of human rights the way Americans have one along with their Constitution and Declaration of Independence. After all Part III of the Indian Constitution did not deter Indian state and its local extension from implementing draconian laws like Public Safety Act (PSA) and Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). These legislations empower petty security officials to shoot Kashmiris and blast their houses merely on the basis of suspicion. For availing the remedies which were projected as heart and soul of the Indian constitution victims need permission of state to initiate litigation against oppressive officials in uniform.
Mr. Muzaffar Hussain Beigh is also fond of Indian Election Commission and wants its jurisdiction to be retained over Kashmir. This affection for Indian Election Commission animates out of its performance in Kashmir. The performance has been nothing other than certifying fake and bungled elections continuously for a period of more than half a century. Mr. Beigh himself conceded the fact that all the elections in Kashmir were bungled during the recent seminar at Centour Hotel. Kashmir was one of the least corrupt princely states prior to 1947. Entrenchment of New Delhi’s rule in Kashmir has elevated it to the top position among corrupt states under the super vision and certification Auditor General of India. Beneficiaries of moral and material corruption would definitely want to perpetuate this state of affairs.
General Musharaff’s self rule has to proceed demilitarization. PDP is against demilitarization. General Musharaff’s self rule has to be under joint Indo-Pak management of the state. PDP’s self rule is envisioned within the parameters of the Indian Constitution. Musharaff’s self rule is prelude to exercise of right of self determination by Kashmiris. PDP’s self rule is for negation of right of self determination. Despite similar terminologies the concepts are poles apart. Alphaz hai doonu main yeksaan magar, Musharaff ka self rule aour, Mufti ka self rule aour. Despite use of similar terminologies self rule of PDP remains a sugar coated device or perpetuation of subjugation of Kashmiris.
PDP came to power through largely boycotted and manipulated elections. At that time it didn’t talk of self rule. Why talk of self rule now? Is it PDP’s counter part of NC’s autonomy? Is it a device to blunt Musharaff’s peace offensive on Kashmir? Is it an attempt to assume an identity and quest in search of relevance in other wise depleting fortunes? Or a camouflage to cover up PDP’s role of stepping into the shoes of NC for defending Indian position on Kashmir in United Nations and other International forums?
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