Statehood and self-determination are fundamentally different: WKAF
Forum says NC protest exercise fails to address basic aspirations of Kashmiris
Washington: The World Kashmir Awareness Forum (WKAF) has said the demonstration in New Delhi demanding restoration of statehood for Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, led by the National Conference, is a political exercise that fails to address the fundamental aspirations of the people.
According to Kashmir Media Service, WKAF in a statement said that while the protest may be presented as a struggle for democratic rights, it diverts attention from what Kashmiris regard as the central political issue — the right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to determine their own political future.
WKAF said the developments following the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A on August 5, 2019 marked a profound turning point in the political history of Jammu and Kashmir. It said constitutional changes, deployment of occupation forces, detention of political leaders and civilians, restrictions on communication, and draconian laws have significantly altered the region’s political landscape.
“These developments cannot be remedied merely by restoring statehood. Administrative changes cannot substitute for addressing the underlying political dispute,” the statement said. WKAF said the National Conference has historically deceived the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir for the sake of power and its current campaign for statehood represents a retreat from addressing the larger political question.
It added that the government headed by Omar Abdullah functions within the constitutional framework established by the Government of India and possesses only devolved powers, with no authority to negotiate the broader dispute.
The Forum said restoring statehood would enable both the National Conference and the Indian government to claim political success without addressing the core issue — the right of self-determination. It stressed that statehood concerns distribution of powers within India’s constitutional structure, whereas self-determination concerns the ability of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to freely determine their political future through peaceful, democratic and inclusive means as promised by UN resolutions.
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