‘Caged’ leadership can’t control youth

Born on 10 October 1940, Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, is a religious icon and an astute politician widely respected by people of all political shapes. Presently head of Jamaat-e-Islami, he is known for his role in taking the politico-religious orginization down to grass roots across Kashmir during the turbulent phases of armed uprising in the state. During his earlier stint as party chief, he played a key role in connecting Jamaat-e-Islami with the grass roots in Chenab valley and Pir Panjal areas of Jammu province. He has been head of Jamaat-e-Islami four times in his 50-year political career. Bhat is known for propagating non controversial style of politics, but he has posed bigger challanges even to mainstream political parties propagating electoral politics just for power and pelf. In an exclusive interview with The Kashmir Magazine Editor Muhmammad Aslam Bhat, he spoke on a vide range of issues concerning the current phase of resistance struggle and Indo-Pak relations vis-a-vis Kashmir issue.

Excerpts from the interview….

• How do you see the prevailing situation in the Kashmir Valley?
• A. In the present situation, there is a consensus among all the people in Kashmir for resolution of the Kashmir issue. Sooner it is resolved, the better it is for Kashmir, India and for Pakistan. The huge budgets being spent on defense can be utilized by India for its poor.

Kashmiris are living in perpetual fear, and they want to live out of the fear. A danger is looming between India and Pakistan of a nuclear war over Kashmir which could be devastating.  Kashmir is an international issue;World should intervene to resolve the issue. Jamaat-e-Islami always says that the issue must be resolved for peace, prosperity and security of the whole region.

• How does Jamaat-e-Islami see the strategy of resistance leadership in the present situation?
• The resistance groups are united at present and people follow their programmes. It is better and if they get more united, it will be best.
• Often it is said that resistance leadership does not have a roadmap, in case, there is an offer of dialogue for resolution of Kashmir issue?

A.There is already a roadmap, which is Kashmir be given the same position that it had before 1947. It was a separate country. That is why we are saying that people in both sides of the Kashmir should be given their right of to choose their destiny.

• If there is any offer of dialogue from any side and the world intervenes, will it be the right time then for dialogue?
• A meaningful dialogue for resolution of the issue is always better. If the dialogue is meant for buying time, then there is no meaning in entering into that dialogue. We should not waste time in meaningless talks.
• Militancy and armed struggles in the world are being labeled as terrorism. India too is calling militancy in Kashmir as terrorism. What is JeI’s take on militant struggle in Kashmir?

A.We are not in a position to talk about militancy or give militants any consultation. But we would always insist that dialogue should be continuing for the resolution of the issues. The militants too want resolution of the issue. Once they find that the issue is being resolved through dialogue, they will get convinced.

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• How do you see the 7 % turnout in by-polls held recently in Srinagar parliamentary seat?

A.That means97 % people are united and demand resolution of the Kashmir issue. It is an achievement that people are showing unity for an issue.

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• India would call high election turnout in Kashmir as referendum from Kashmir. How should the leadership portray the low turnout then?

• A. Nothing remains hidden in today’s time. The responsible quarters must have taken note of the low turnout. They would be saying that why did not people vote today when earlier there were 60% or more voting in Kashmir. It conveys its message to the world.
• Hartals are being criticized for crippling Kashmir’s economy and development?
• Is there any other way whenthe authorities have shut all the democratic ways of protest? The governments have made such an atmosphere here that when leadership calls for hartal, people follow it. If people are given the right to protest and their voices not choked, I think the situation will improve.
• It is being said that youth are taking situations into their own hands and on some occasions compelling the leadership to give hartal calls?
• When leadership has been jailed and their movement is curbed, then youth take their own lead and decisions. Youth says when their leadership has been imprisoned they should take things in their own hands. The government should free the leadership, I think the situation will improve. The government has created a strict situation here.

Q.ForJeI it is being said that the organisation did not campaign at grass roots for resolution of Kashmir issue?

• Jamaat has been insisting since 1947 for resolution of Kashmir issue. During the time of Sheikh Abdullah, Jamaat could not flourish; our voice then was weak.  But as time move ahead, our voice became stronger.

We are still saying that Kashmir issue should be resolved. The more the issue is kept lingering, the more dangerous it will be. Sooner the better. Jamaat’s ways and methods are peaceful and democratic. We never do activities behind the curtains; whatever we do we do publically. Nobody can accuse us of doing anything hidden.

Q.After BJP’s Yogi Adyatinath became chief minister in UP and the situation arising in India people are saying that Two nation theory is being proven correct….

• There is no such issue or debate about Two nation theory in Kashmir. Majority of people in Kashmir want resolution of the issue through dialogue.
• What is the solution of the Kashmir issue?
• Solution of Kashmir is to give people in both parts of the Jammu and Kashmir being held by India and Pakistan their right to choose their destiny.All the parties, India, Pakistan and Kashmir, to the dispute must be involved to find a solution which is acceptable to us all.

Q.It is being said that people in Kashmir lack discipline to assert for their rights?

• Tell me when Kashmiri saw his freedom. From King Akbar till now, people in Kashmir have been living under slavery. People in Kashmir never got the time to think and organize themselves. However, today the situation is different. People, especially youth, are educated and they understand situations better.
• How different do you see the earlier governments from Sheikh Abdullah’s time and governments of today?
• There is no difference in the regimes. During the rule of Omar Abdullah more than 100 youth were killed; in this regime also more than 100 youth were killed. So, there is no difference; they are all same. Ekhii thaali ke chattebattehai.
• Is Jamaat continuing with its propagating and reformative programmes in Jammu and Kashmir?
• We are continuing our reformative programmes across Jammu and Kashmir. Educated youth are participating and involved in our programmes. Our literature is being widely read by youth and educated people. We are carrying out our programmes in Jammu region, in Poonch and Rajouri. People in Jammu and Kashmir are more interested in learning Islam as their way of life.
• How do you see the role of Pakistan vis-à-vis Kashmir? It is being said that the role of Pakistan is wavering on Kashmir as per their internal situation?
• What can we say about Pakistan? It has its own considerations. They always say they support Kashmir morally, diplomatically and politically. We too read in media Pakistan always saying about supporting us. Rest, Pakistan knows better.
• Is Jamaat still a constituent of Hurriyat Conference?
• No.We are not constituent of either Hurriyat (G) or Hurriyat (M).We support any one who talks about resolution of Kashmir issue.