Omar Abdullah divides Kashmiris in the UK
London Kashmir Conference Controversy deepens
Boycott, demonstrations and rival-conference in British Parliament
By Murtaza Shibli
Editor, Kashmir Affairs, London
The controversies surrounding Kashmir 'peace' Conference conducted by the Kashmir Centre London has deepened, as the majority of the Kashmiri groups and diaspora have called for the boycott and protests against the conference being held on 28th and 29th of November in the British Parliament.
Boycotting the event, leading member of the Kashmiri community and Member of House of Lords, Lord Nazir Ahmed said that the Kashmir Centre head Nazir Ahmad Shawl did not take the Kashmiri groups into confidence about the conference. Referring to proposed participation of the National Conference leader, Omar Abdullah, Lord Nazir accused the National Conference of killings of Kashmiris and said that the Kashmir Centre is appeasing the killers of the Kashmiri people. Accusing Nazir Ahmad Shawl of misleading the Kashmiri community, Tehreek-e-Kashmir, a leading Kashmiri group said that they have never been taken into confidence about the proposed Conference. Muhammad Ghalib, head of the organisation claimed that some time back when he enquired from Nazir Shawl about the participants, he was told that Ali Shah Geelani, Yasin Malik, Shabir Shah and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq were invited from the Indian side of Kashmir. Nazir Ahmad Qureshi, another Kashmiri activist and vice president of the World Kashmir Freedom Movement also claimed ignorance about the participation of Omar Abdullah adding that Nazir Shawl did not talk to him or any members of the kashmiri community in this regard or about the conference programme.
There is a general feeling that the proposed Kashmir Conference is part of a 'larger conspiracy' against Kashmiris and it is a step towards recognition of the Line of Control as the permanent border between India and Pakistan, thus burrying Kashmir issue conveniently. One of the leaders of the All Party Kashmir Coordination Committee said that the Conference game plan of both the countries and wants to create harmony between pro-India and pro-Pakistan groups for the sake of coming elections in the Indian side of Kashmir being held next year. Another Kashmiri leader who is part of the boycott claimed that the Conference is offering platform for Omar Abdullah and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq for their future electoral alliance in Kashmir. It is pertinent to mention that all the three heads of Kashmir Centres – Nazir Shawl, Ghulam Nabi Fai and Majid Tramboo and the President and Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) as well as Omar Abdullah and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq is attending the conference. This is for the first time in nearly two years that all the three heads of the Kashmir Centres are attending a conference. Rival faction of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) headed by Farooq Siddiqui is also attending the event. The JKLF faction had previously criticized Kashmiri leaders 'shaking hands with killers' referring to the Indian or pro-Indian Kashmiri leaders.
"Sheikh Abdullah family and National Conference is responsible of the death and destruction Kashmiris have be facing for last 20 years", said Qari Tahir Tayyub, President APKCC. The rejected politicians like Omar Adullah cannot be accepted to represent Kashmiri people at any forum' he added.
He said Sheikh Abdullah family played a role of abettor with New Delhi to crush the legitimate struggle of Kashmir people for their right of self determination. He said the Kashmir community in UK which has been in vanguard in highlighting Kashmir cause in UK would not allow any intrigue to succeed for installing Sheikh Ummar as leader of Kashmiri people.
The strong reaction from the Kashmiris has forced Nazir Shawl in defence and virtual hiding. He has not been taking phone calls or replying to the emails regarding the situation, however, given the controversy it might be hard for the organisers to achieve anything meaningful as the atmosphere stands vitiated. The Conference has diametrically divided the Kashmiri community and it is for the first time that calls for boycott and protests have been called. The All Party Kashmir Coordination Committee (APKCC) while boycotting the Nazir Shawl Conference is holding a demonstration outside the British Parliament on Wednesday 28 November, the venue of the conference. They are later holding a rival meeting inside the Parliament to "expose the conspiracies against the Kashmir's freedom struggle".
APKCC has termed the Kashmir conference as conspiracy against the liberation struggle of Kashmiri people and an attempt to pave the way for division of Kashmir. It has appealed Kashmiri expatriates in the United Kingdom to fully participate in the demonstration to register their protest.
Senior leader of Tehreek-e-Kashmir, Maulana Munawwar Hussain Mashadi also accused that the conference is a conspiracy against the 'Kashmiri freedom movement'. Mohammad Ghalib the head of Tehreek-e-Kashmir accused that Nazir Shawl has "damaged the cause of Kashmiris".
As the controversy deepens, many people are staying away from the Conference. Pro-India leaders – Yusuf Tarigami and Hakim Yasin have declined to attend the conference. Nazir Qureshi of the World Kashmir Freedom Movement while confirming his invitation to the conference said that he has not yet decided whether to attend or not. The participation of many others is not yet confirmed. Even before commencing, the conference has created fissures in the Kashmiri groups in the UK and elsewhere, therefore defeating the whole purpose of the excercise.
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