Kashmiris have legal right to resistance: Asif Luqman Qazi

LAHORE, June 25 (SABAH): Asif Luqman Qazi, Director Foreign Affairs of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan has said the joint statement issued by the United States and India ignores the human rights violations by the Indian ruling party, the BJP, against religious minorities. It also ignores the violation of UN resolutions by Indian government by revoking constitutional articles that gave special status to the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

He said that BJP members are involved in communal violence against Muslims and other religious minorities in India. He added that the attacks on Muslims, incidents of lynching, and barring Muslims from performing religious obligations have increased since Prime Minister Modi came to power.

Similarly, he said there is an attempt to merge the State of Jammu and Kashmir in complete disregard of UN resolutions on Kashmir. The United States being an important member of the UN Security Council, has a moral obligation to support the right of self-determination of the Kashmiri people. The Indian government and armed forces are involved in terrorist operations inside Kashmir, he added.

“Millions of Kashmiris are living under siege and face violent oppression by Indian armed forces on a daily basis. How can US government ignore all these human rights violations and accuse Pakistan of cross-border terrorism instead? Kashmiris have the right to resistance under UN Charter that Indian government has so blatantly violated. How can US government justify its support to Ukraine in its conflict with Russia if it terms the Kashmiri resistance as terrorism?” he questioned.

He said that Kashmir is a disputed territory according to UN resolutions and the UN charter gives Kashmiris the right to resistance against Indian occupation. United States should call upon India to respect UN resolutions and give Kashmiris their inherent right of self-determination. India has no legal right to unilaterally declare the State of Jammu and Kashmir as its integral part.

He furthered Kashmiris will never accept themselves as Indians, and will always resist the occupation forces to achieve their freedom. US government has the right to enter into bilateral agreements with India for its economic interests, but it has no right to condone the occupation of Kashmir and deprive Kashmiris of their rights. The government of Pakistan has an obligation to strongly take exception to this act of US government, he added.