Mirwaiz activating APHC at an alarming speed

Hurriyat gets active

On August 5, 2019, the Narendra Modi government sprung a big and pleasant surprise. That day, it created history by reading down separatist-friendly Article 370, abrogating discriminatory Article 35-A, and dividing the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) into the Union Territory of J&K and the Union Territory of Ladakh.

A day before, the law and order authorities had put under house arrest or in jails all or nearly all the Kashmiri Muslim leaders, so-called mainstream and separatist included, suspended internet services and taken many other precautionary measures aimed at maintaining peace in the alley. One such Kashmiri religious leader, who was also put under house arrest, was the chairman of the All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. He remained dormant, or he could not conduct his disintegrate-J&K-from-India activities for more than five years because he was under house arrest.

Disturbing development

Things in Kashmir changed dramatically after October 16, 2024, when National Conference vice president and protagonist of greater autonomy Omar Abdullah assumed office as Chief Minister. Since then, disturbing developments have been taking place in the Union Territory of J&K. One worrisome development is how the Mirwaiz has been activating the APHC. He is activating it at an alarming speed. It is not an exaggeration, but it is a statement of fact. It can be seen from what he did and said on October 23, 25, and 28 and November 18.

On October 23, Hurriyat leaders, including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Abdul Gani Bhat, Bilal Lone, and Molvi Masroor Abbas Ansari, met in Srinagar. The meeting at the Mirwaiz residence surprised almost everyone as it took place for the first time since the introduction of the August 5, 2019, epoch-making reforms.

Reflecting on the meeting, the jubilant Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said: “Alhumdulilah! After more than five years, I got a chance to be together with my dear colleagues Professor sb, Bilal sb, and Masroor sb…During (my) house arrest they were not allowed to meet.”

Not only the Mirwaiz but the defeated J&K Apni Party chief and former cabinet minister, Altaf Bukhari, also commented on this meeting. He, inter-alia, said: “Pleased to hear that Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Sahib and his colleagues have finally been allowed to meet after a prolonged period. This indicates a clear shift in the political environment in J&K, a change that holds great potential for advancing the broader interests of the people…Despite political and ideological differences, all stakeholders, particularly political entities, can play a positive role in building a better future for J&K…”

On October 25, the Mirwaiz said that J&K was a disputed territory and his (separatist) outfit was ready to engage with the BJP-led Centre for the resolution of the “Kashmir issue”.

“When All Parties Hurriyat Conference was formed by the leadership in 1993, the situation was entirely different with militancy at its peak in J&K. Even at that time, it, in its proclamation, had stated that it advocates for a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir conflict by engagement and even after 30 years, this outlook remains the same…The Hurriyat talked to (former Prime Ministers Atal Bihari) Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh, (former Pakistani President Pervez) Musharraf and is always ready to engage with the current dispensation in New Delhi. There has been too much bloodshed in Kashmir to allow it to continue,” he said while addressing the Friday congregation at the Jamia Masjid in Srinagar’s Nowhatta area.

On October 28, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq went a step further. He announced plans to regroup the Hurriyat Conference and re-evaluate strategies to pursue what he called “a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir conflict.” He emphasized the importance of “distinguishing between civic issues — like infrastructure and basic amenities — and the political problem that requires a dialogue-based approach.”

On November 18, he went several steps further and demanded the resumption of the trans-Line of Control (LoC) trade and bus service between J&K and PoJK. He described it as a big step that could harmonize India-Pakistan relations.

“Trade should start. The bus service has been shut down. The trade between the two parts of Kashmir was benefiting many families and increasing connectivity…New Delhi (should) reconsider its approach…The power to initiate dialogue and cooperation lies with the Central government. If there is a positive signal from New Delhi, the leadership of Jammu and Kashmir will move forward, and I am confident Pakistan’s leadership understands that issues need to be resolved through dialogue…The political dimension of the Kashmir issue must be addressed to facilitate meaningful dialogue. Although elections have been conducted and a government formed, its powers are limited, and Jammu and Kashmir continues to bear the stamp of a Union Territory…New Delhi (must) change its mindset and recognize that the people of Jammu and Kashmir seek a resolution, not uncertainty or bloodshed,” the Mirwaiz, among other things, said while speaking at an event in Srinagar.

Suspension of LoC trade

It was on April 19, 2019, that the Narendra Modi government suspended the LoC trade in J&K. This action was taken as the Government of India had been receiving reports that the Cross-LoC trade routes were being misused by the Pakistan-based elements for funneling illegal weapons, narcotics, and fake currency, etc.

It is pertinent to mention that the LoC trade was meant to facilitate the exchange of goods of common use between local populations across the LoC in J&K. The trade was allowed through two Trade Facilitation Centres located at Salamabad, Uri (Kashmir), and Chakkan-da-Bagh, Poonch (Jammu). The trade took place four days a week. The Trade was based on a Barter system and zero duty basis. However, reports had been received that the LoC trade was being misused on a very large scale. It had been revealed that the trade had changed its character to mostly third-party trade and products from other regions, including foreign countries, were finding their way through this route. “Unscrupulous and anti-national elements” were using the route as a conduit for Hawala money, drugs, and weapons, under the garb of this trade.

As for the bus service between J&K and PoJK, It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on April 7, 2005, as a “confidence-building measure between India and Pakistan” and to “allow the divided families to meet.”

J&K L-G, India’s envoy at the UN

Significantly, on November 20, J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said: “Peace, vibrant movie culture, and economic prosperity are interlinked and I want to warn those who are trying to disrupt normal life or daydreaming of bringing disorder that existed before 2019…Our law enforcement agencies are monitoring the anti-India elements and separatists’ ecosystem and if they try to put people’s lives in danger or compromise India’s integrity, we will ensure exemplary punishment for them.”

The L-G made this statement while inaugurating the joint edition of the Jammu Film Festival (JFF) and The International Film Festival of Srinagar (TIFFS), at Aquaplex Crown, Bagh-e-Bahu, Jammu.

The same day, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, among other things, said: “Terrorist activities in India have eroded the trust. The first issue in engaging with Pakistan is the cessation of terrorism. That is a key issue…India has been a long-standing victim of cross-border and global terrorism and has zero tolerance towards the scourge…Terrorism is an ‘existential threat’ to humanity that knows no borders, no nationality, and for which there can be no justification. Terrorism can only be combated through international collaboration.”

Parvathaneni Harish made these statements while delivering the keynote address on “Responding to Key Global Challenges: The India Way” at an event at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA).

Limiting areas of strife

What Manoj Sinha said in Jammu and Parvathaneni Harish in the US was inspiring as it indicated the line the Narendra Modi government is pursuing. However, to say all this is not to suggest that what they said was a solution. It was not. The Narendra Modi government has to produce a moral effect through stringent actions against subversives of all varieties in Kashmir and by warning Chief Minister Omar Abdullah that he must behave failing which he would meet the fate Mehbooba Mufti met in June 2018.

Not just this, his government also has to limit the area of strife and it can be done only if Jammu province, which has been suffering huge socio-political and economic losses and whose very identity and personality has been under grave threat since October 1947, is separated from Kashmir.

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2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.

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