Fajer Rabia |
Burhan Wani was extra-judicially killed by the Indian forces on the 8th of July, 2016. His sacrifice has become a turning point in the Kashmiris’ ongoing struggle for self-determination.The latest uprising in Indian Occupied Kashmir is a resurrection of that movement. Burhan who was known as the poster boy won the hearts of Kashmiris for raising his voice against the Indian oppression and continued injustice.
Even though the internet and phone services were suspended in Kashmir, people of Kashmir, undeterred by the threat to their lives, came out for him.
The immense pain of his death was felt across Kashmir, so much so that every Kashmiri mother cried for him like they would have cried for their own son. The way his dead body was humiliated by Indian military deeply hurt and outraged not only Kashmiris but the global community also. The depth of his love in every Kashmiri household is evident by the fact that, reportedly, a million gathered at different places for his funeral despite curfew clamped by the Indian armed forces. People walked from village to village for miles, to get to his funeral prayer.
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Even though the internet and phone services were suspended in Kashmir, people of Kashmir, undeterred by the threat to their lives, came out for him. His sacrifice pushed Kashmiris to the point where all the young men, children, women, students stood up once again, against the illegal occupation of their motherland by the Indian Government.
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Burhan’s death anniversary was observed last week with respect and love despite unlawful authorities tried in vain to dissuade brave-hearts of Kashmir valley. He was remembered for his unique ways of engaging the young people, and how he used the social media to raise awareness of atrocities perpetrated by the Indian occupation forces. For people of Kashmir, there is hope once again. They have faith in the sacrifices they are making on daily basis. They know these sacrifices will not go waste. They are not afraid and will not give up. They are ready to go on with the fight for as long as they need to until they break free from the illegal Indian hold on Kashmir. There is one factor this time around, which people did not witness earlier and that is the way Government of Pakistan, particularly the Foreign Office, has forcefully and constantly extended moral, political and diplomatic support to the new wave of resistance.
However, the world remains shamelessly tight-lipped watching all the human rights violations taking place right before their eyes.
There is one factor this time around, which people did not witness earlier and that is the way Government of Pakistan, particularly the Foreign Office, has forcefully and constantly extended moral, political and diplomatic support to the new wave of a purely indigenous uprising, spearheaded mainly by the Kashmiri youth. Such persuasiveness in our foreign policy on the issue of Kashmir is unprecedented in the living memory of Pakistan’s chequered political history.
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Last twelve months haven’t been easy on people of Kashmir. They have sacrificed many more lives to continue Burhan’s fight. Each household is being individually targeted, protesters are being shot at, even children are not being spared and women pride is being torn apart at will with complete impunity. However, the world remains shamelessly tight-lipped watching all the human rights violations taking place right before their eyes.
Hard to believe that in this day and age when news and videos are frequently appearing on social media clearly showing the atrocious acts of Indian armed forces, the world leaders didn’t have the guts to admonish India to immediately stop human rights violations and create enabling environment for the Kashmiris to exercise their Right to Self Determination as enshrined in the relevant UN Security Council’s Resolutions on Kashmir.
The world leaders must intervene immediately. They must stop India and they must give the Kashmiris the right of self-determination. Muslim World should wake up and threaten India with economic sanctions.
Resilience amid adversity
Kashmir is bleeding! Kashmiris have not given up and the movement is getting stronger by the day. In the last 12 months, more than 260 people including women and children have been martyred, more than 7,000 are affected by the pellet guns with over 200 either completely or partially blinded, around 20,000 are injured with many thousands maimed for life time and over 8,000 have been arbitrarily arrested with their fate unknown. A thousand women have been raped or molested as this has been used as a tool to deter them their male family members from participating in the ongoing struggle for freedom.
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No one knows how long this will go on? How many will more innocent lives be lost? How will the new generations be saved from the violence and loss of pride? The world leaders must intervene immediately. They must stop India and they must give the Kashmiris the right of self-determination. Muslim World should wake up and threaten India with economic sanctions.
Fajer Rabia is the Executive Director of Pakistan Alliance for Girls Education – PAGE. She has won numerous international awards to include, UK Institute of Directors Northwest Young Director of the Year 2010, UK Institute of Directors National Highly Commended Young Director 2011, Future 100 Social Entrepreneur 2011 – UK, and the UK Northwest Young Inspiring Woman – 2010.The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Global Village Space’s editorial policy.