The people of Jammu and Kashmir have been facing the worst kind of Indian state terrorism for the past over six decades. Unfortunately, the international community could not play its due role in resolving the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the Kashmiris' aspirations. Even the world's august body, the United Nations Security Council, has failed to implement its resolutions on Kashmir passed several years ago.
The miseries of Kashmiris started with the illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir by India on 27th October 1947. The Indian action was totally against the aspirations of Kashmiri people and in disregard to the Partition Plan of the Subcontinent. The Partition Plan, which had resulted in the division of Indian British Colony into two sovereign States i.e Pakistan and India, had given the then princely States the choice to accede either to Pakistan or India. No doubt, Jammu and Kashmir with an overwhelming Muslim-majority had a natural tendency to accede to Pakistan, but unfortunately that didn't happen.
The Kashmiris never accepted India's illegal occupation of their motherland and have been carrying on an indigenous struggle for the liberation from the Indian bondage. By virtue of their determination, resilience and unparalleled sacrifices, they were able to liberate a vast area of the State that is now known as Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Following a stiff resistance from the Kashmiri people and sensing a humiliating defeat to its forces, India approached the UN Security Council in 1948, seeking its help in resolving the Kashmir dispute. The UNSC passed several successive resolutions on Kashmir nullifying Indian invasion and occupation of Kashmir besides approving a ceasefire, demarcation of the ceasefire line, demilitarization of the State and a free and impartial plebiscite to be conducted under the UN supervision.
A resolution passed by the World Body on 5th January 1949 is of enormous importance as it states that the question of the accession of Jammu and Kashmir either to India or Pakistan would be decided through a free and impartial plebiscite. It acknowledges the disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir and admits three parties to the Kashmir dispute i.e. Pakistan, India and the Kashmiri people. Following the adoption of this resolution, the UN appointed a Plebiscite Administrator but the move could not succeed due to India's refusal to accept any sort of mediation.
The double standards of the World Body are alarming. In the case of East Timor, a resolution was passed and implemented within months. In 1991, when Iraq invaded Kuwait, once again the UN Security Council passed the resolution, which was implemented in weeks. Same is the case of Sudan and Kosovo. The UN played an effective role in giving people of these areas their inalienable right to self-determination. But regarding Jammu and Kashmir, the World Body is least interested in impressing upon India to implement the relevant resolutions.
Ironically, India is striving to become a permanent member of the same UNSC whose resolutions it is yet to implement. Unfortunately, the US and other countries that claim to be the champions of human rights have been supporting India in getting the berth at the august body. Before giving India any such favour, the world community must look at the New Delhi's track record with regard to the human rights and must link its permanent membership to the UN Security Council with the resolution of the Kashmir dispute.
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