Kashmir Martyrs Day Observed in Washington
Washington, DC: The Kashmiri American community in the Washington metropolitan area commemorated the Kashmir Martyrs Day on July 13 to honor the sacrifices of 22 innocent Kashmiris who were killed in 1931 in front of the Central Jail, Srinagar, Kashmir. Engineer Farooq Siddique, Chairman, Kashmir Global Council (KGC), was the keynote speaker and Raja Muzaffar, Acting Chairman, JKLF was the chief guest on the occasion. The event started with the recitation of Al-Quran by Khalid Faheem.
Engineer Farooq Siddiqui in his keynote speech said Kashmir has a documented history of 5,000 years. At the time of partition, Kashmir was not a part of India but was directly ruled by Britishers. Once India was partitioned into India and Pakistan, the people of Kashmir were given three choices: either to go to India or Pakistan or remain independent. The ruler of Kashmir joined India against the wishes and aspirations of the people of the territory.
Engineer Siddiqui added that we understand India and Pakistan are the parties to the dispute. They cannot disappear. However, the wishes of the people of Kashmir are paramount. They have to decide what they want. It is proved beyond doubt that if the people were given free and fair choice to choose, they will choose independence.
Mr Siddique informed that it is the responsibility of the Kashmir diaspora to raise the international profile of the Kashmir dispute by informing the global public square through media campaigns, seminars and conferences about the commitments made by the international community to the people of Kashmir for their inalienable right to self-determination and by reminding both India and Pakistan of their explicit recognition of that right of the people of Kashmir to determine the final status of their homeland.
Raja Muzaffar, in his remarks, appealed to the Kashmiri community to play an active role in various areas to highlight the rights and issues of Kashmir. They need to establish contacts with the US government, members of Congress, and institutional leaders to raise awareness about the issue of Kashmir. They can also organize seminars, workshops, and other events to inform them about the history, culture, and current situation in Kashmir.
Raja Muzaffar added that all these efforts can collectively help in effectively advancing the cause of Kashmir. Considering Kashmir’s geographical importance, natural resources, and historical background, it will be necessary to ensure that relations with neighboring countries are balanced and conducive to future development. A free and independent Kashmir can embark on the path of development and promote peace and stability in South Asia.
Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai, Chairman, World Forum for Peace & Justice, speaking on the occasion said that the somber day of July 13 th commemorates the ultimate sacrifice made by 22 unarmed Kashmiris who were ruthlessly slaughtered by the illegitimate Dogra regime in 1931. July 13th is forever etched in the collective minds of the people of Kashmir as the day when the freedom movement was greeted with bullets and the people were occupied.
Fai added that the repression of Kashmir’s soul has not diminished the pain or the need for India to meet those face to face who have had nothing but a boot to the belly and a cane to the back. The voice of Kashmir not only remains as vibrant and shrill as in the very beginning, but it is also yet even stronger. It is time that India showed some honesty and forthrightness in its dealings with Kashmir.
Dr Fai said that the question needs to be asked. Why do we need to have Kashmir conferences and protests when all previous conferences did not yield positive results?
Sardar Zarif Khan, Advisor to the President of Azad Kashmir and main organizer of the memorial, said that the ‘Martyrs Day’ memorializes all those innocent victims, more than100,000, who have been forcibly silenced by the occupation forces. He added that we salute Farooq Siddiqui and Raja Muzaffar and recognize their unwavering dedication, inspiring leadership, and steadfast commitment to the cause of Kashmir
Sardar Zarif added that it’s time to end the violence. It’s time to end the charade. It’s time for Kashmiris to sort out their own affairs and determine their own future.
Sardar Zubiar Khan, Director, Voice of Justice in Kashmir thanked the guests and appreciated their dedication and sacrifices for the cause of Kashmir.
Sardar Zubair hoped that the United States and the international community will realize that what is at stake in the dispute is not only the survival of the people of Kashmir but also peace and stability in the region of South Asia.
Sardar Shoaib Irshad, General Secretary, Kashmir American Welfare Association (KAWA) expressed concern over the tragic situation in Kashmir because all available evidence testifies that human rights violations in Kashmir are systematic, deliberate, and officially sanctioned. Far from seeking to rectify its atrocious human rights record, India has legalized its state-sponsored terrorism in Kashmir.
Raja Liaqat Kiyani, President, Kashmir House Washington, emphasized that prudence dictates the United Nations to recognize the grave human rights situation and apply diplomatic persuasion by appointing a special envoy on Kashmir which would go a long way in hastening the progress of peace and reconciliation in the region of South Asia.
An engaging question and answer session followed drawing the participation, among others, of Syed Adeeb, founder and CEO of Adeeb Media Group and a prominent personality in independent multilingual media, Mujeeb Qazi, a leading human rights advocate and President of Voices of Kashmir; Mian Waseem, a well-known community leader, and Sardar Wadood.
A human chain was formed to express solidarity with all imprisoned political leaders in Kashmir, including Mohammad Yasin Malik, Shabir Ahmed Shah, Masarat Aalam, Aasia Andrabi, Khurram Parvez and others.
Other notables who were present at the event included: Senator Dr Akbar Khawaja, prominent leader of the community; Shahab Qarni, a well-known human rights advocate and member of National Council for Human Welfare’s international chapter; Jamal Khattak, senior community leader; Sardar Aftab Roshan Khan; Sardar Zeeshan khan; Khalid Faheem; Abid Khan; Imran khan; Raja Saqib; Attique Sudozai; Hammad; Shakil Anjam; Ayan Shah; Hifzan Yaqoob; Sardar Hayat Khan, Haider kiyani, Malik Junaid; Mohammad Shaheen; Raja Latif Kiyani; Sheraz Hayat; and Tahseen.
The event concluded with Du’a for all more than100,000 martyrs in Kashmir.
(Dr Fai is also Secretary General, World Kashmir Awareness Forum. - gnfai2003@yahoo.com
www.kashmirawareness.org)
