The Kashmir Issue: Constitutional Status and the Need for a United Stand

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Author: Sardar Rashid Mahmood – Analyst, Manchester

For the past twenty years, I have been trying to highlight the Kashmir issue on a global scale and to clarify its true nature. My clear and consistent position is that the Kashmir issue is not a trivial, local or economic grievance — rather, it is a constitutional, legal and historical dispute, the resolution of which is possible only in accordance with constitutional methods and relevant UN resolutions.

I have to say with great regret that the change in the priority of demands by some action committees is causing irreparable damage to the entire Kashmiri cause. When the basic struggle is limited to only temporary and personal needs — such as flour, electricity and daily amenities — it makes the entire movement look like the general development problems of developing countries. It is true that such problems exist in every developing region, but this does not mean that the entire state and its fundamental rights should be put aside for their sake.

Geographical and Collective Rights Aspects
It should never be forgotten that no single group or region can represent the whole of Kashmir. Some people live in a small area of only about 5,000 square kilometers, while the total area of Jammu and Kashmir is more than 84,471 square miles. Are not the people of occupied Kashmir Kashmiris? Are not the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and Jammu part of this struggle? Do they not also need justice, food and facilities — or is this right limited to only one section? Such narrow-minded demands have brought the entire Kashmiri nation and leadership into disrepute on the international stage and are embarrassing to every true supporter.

Such demands, which are made apart from the right to self-determination, are actually tantamount to rebellion against the movement and undermine the real cause of Kashmir. The people of all parts of Kashmir — Gilgit-Baltistan, the occupied valley, Jammu and Azad Kashmir — have their own desires, opinions and rights, and their voices should also be heard.

Appeal
I strongly urge all concerned to reconsider their current agenda. Reframe their demands in the right direction and make the sole focus of the movement solely on the Kashmir issue — that is, the right to self-determination as per UN resolutions. If you do so, we will always stand by you. Otherwise, the current path will forever harm the entire Kashmiri cause.

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