Dark face of democratic India
by Ayesha Munawar

India claims to be the biggest democracy in the world, having over one billion people, of which 600 million exercise their right to franchise. But it is the respect of human rights and democratic values, and not mere population and territory that is the gauge of declaring a country democratic.

India's dark face under a thin coating of democracy totally exposes on this gauge. All minorities in India are victims of discrimination, persecution and genocide at the hands of its armed forces. Kashmir being the glaring example of all, where a 800 thousand strong army is crushing the freedom struggle of Muslims whose right to self determination guaranteed by UN resolutions has been usurped by India for the last 58 years.

India has been pursuing a treacherous policy for the last 50 years on Kashmir issue claiming to be serious in regional peace and security but at the same time avoiding solving Kashmir dispute by delaying tactics. While Delhi proclaims to be champion of democracy and liberties, its army has committed large scale and gross violations of human rights especially in Kashmir by killing, maiming, detaining people without charges and custodial killings, raping, looting and arsoning during crackdowns.

In similar fashion it always adopted a stubborn stance at the negotiation table with Pakistan, refusing to show any flexibility which is the main reason that Kashmir talks always remained a failure. This inflexibility is in stark contrast to its claims of friendship and peace with Pakistan. On the other hand, Pakistani governments have always shown flexibility and took initiatives for the sake of solving Kashmir like in case of Simla Accord and negotiations at Agra and Saarc summits etc. The present regime of Gen Musharraf has gone beyond all limits to befriend India and strengthening relations on cultural, trade and public level. Particularly the stance of Gen Musharraf towards India is unprecedented, resulted in various bus services between the two country and increasing the mutual visits of politicians, artistes, intellectuals, journalists, jurists and people from other walks of life. Pakistani media has also adopted an overtly pro India gesture that has damaged the Kashmir cause though.

Despite all the growing friendship Delhi's atrocities upon Kashmiri Muslims have continued unabated as dozens of them being killed, wounded or tortured everyday. What was more, India refrained from providing relief to the earthquake affected Kashmiri Muslims and also refused to allow any NGO to work in Indian held Kashmir. It was Pakistan that proposed and materialized opening of LoC for free movement of Kashmiris across it but India is opposed to that and has reluctantly implemented upon the proposal under world pressure.

The lengthy, unending negotiations between the two countries on Kashmir are still continued at various levels, but fruitless as ever, due to inflexible Indian attitude while its army is busy victimizing Kashmiri Muslims, killing and wounding them to change the demographic status of the Muslim majority state. The Indian attitude is typically reflective of Chanakia philosophy which calls for adopting treacherous, conspiring stance against the enemy instead of open hostility.

Philosophy of this Indian philosopher is discussed by historians. Once he happened to be traveling with his disciples as they came across a thorny bush in the way. The courtiers desired to cut away or uproot the bush but Chanakia stopped them and asked them to sprinkle some sugar on its roots instead. After some time Chanakia and disciples again passed through that way and found that the bush had withered away. Chanakia explained that after sugar was sprinkled thousands of ants thrnonged at the bush and sucked away all the fluid and life from its roots and trunk. Thus the bush was cut down without cutting or uprooting.

The Indian leadership is pursuing Chanakia philosophy regarding Kashmir. They are silently changing the demographic status of Kashmir by a systematic genocide of Muslims taking cover of repeated negotiations, talks and promoting friendship through exchange of cultural and other delegations. Pakistan and the world must see through the Indian moves and make Delhi honor its commitments to UN resolutions by making the negotiations productive and decisive. Delhi must respect the human rights and civil liberties of Kashmiri Muslims in accordance with international laws and ensure their right to self determination.

Pakistan should maintain its dignity by exercising some restraint in allowing flexibility towards India and follow some limits in giving concessions so that its national interest are not compromised. Instead of fluid and changing stance for the sake of personal interests, Pakistani government must adopt a clear and decisive policy on Kashmir so that Kashmiris may not be deprived of their freedom as a result of Pakistan's blunder. All sections of society should put pressure upon government not to withdraw from its historic and principled policy on Kashmir dispute.

Muslim brethren of Kashmir deserve our committed approach to their cause because it is our religious, national and social duty to help realize their freedom from the Indian clutches. Muslims of Pakistan and Kashmir are ideally close to each other as their hearts beat with each other in unison of culture, history and traditions. 

Every year the nation observed Kashmir Solidarity Day on Feb 5 to express its commitment with Kashmir's liberation and freedom struggle. But government sometime joined it with enthusiasm, and at times gave a cold shoulder. Likewise, the present day government is working against the Kashmiri freedom struggle by floating various options and formulae that tend to divide the state instead of winning freedom for it.

Such policies give negative message to Kashmiris. The need of the hour is that government must not ignore the matchless sacrifices of Kashmiris and make efforts for the solution of Kashmir dispute according to UN resolution. Rulers must remember that if they betrayed with the blood of the martyrs, history will never forgive them.