In Response to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mukto-mona/message/4661

I strongly object to the post of Dr. Shukhamaya Bain in this forum where he intentionally used a term "so-called" before sovereign Bangladesh to defame our country  which we all  know, is achieved by the nine-month struggle with the supreme sacrifice of 30 lakh  Bangladeshi martyrs.  If Dr. Bain thinks that Kashmir should remain with India, it is fine with me, but I really find no reason why he tried to relate Bangladesh calling it ambiguous "so-called" in his write-up on Kashmir. What has that to do with Bacchus ?

Anyway, let me share my little knowledge on Kashmir with the members of the forum.  If Dr. Bain is aware of the historical facts, he must know that Kashmir was solely independent state even in British period. In 1789 Kashmir was included as a province for Sikhs. In 1846 Sikhs were defeated in a war with the British soldiers. In furtherance of the contract, British colonists demanded 75 lakh rupee from the Sikhs. But Sikhs did not have sufficient money at that time. In exchange for the money, they handed over Kashmir to the British ruler. Soon after that, British rulers found  very hard  to govern  tribal Kashmir for various reasons. They sold Kashmir to Mahraj Gulab Singh in 1 crore rupee. Since then Gulab Singh became the independent emperor of Kashmir and Kashmir never went to the British colonists. After the death of Gulab Sing, the emperors of Kashmir were Ranbir Singh (1857-1885), Pratap Singh (1885-1925) and Hari Singh (1925).

Now Let me ask Dr. Bain  some relevant questions as he thinks Kashmir should remain with India :

1) Have you ever considered that at least 30 thousand Kashmiri people who were systematically uprooted from their own land by your own country-men? Why Indian government internationally try to portray Kashimiri people's struggle always as the "Handwork of some terrorists" ? If you think craving for freedom is nothing but the act of terrorism, then why India considered "liberation war of Bangladesh" in 1971 as exception ? Why the freedom fighters of East Pakistan was considered as "freedom fighters" in the eye of The same Indian Government ?

2) Why don't you think that Kashmiri people should have their own rights to decide their fate ? "Peoples union for civil liberties", "Radical Humanists Association" and "Manab Akata Obhijan committee" send a team in Kashmir on 28th march, 1990. The team was represented by V. M. Tarakundey, Rajendra sar, Amrita Sing, Valraj Puri, Indar mohan, Ranjan Dibedi and others. According to their report, "Most of the Kashmiri people do not want to be remain either with Pakistan or with India. They want emancipation - they want to see Kashmir as Sovereign state."  Is it really a sin to accept majority peoples' demand, Dr. Bain ?

3) Amnesty International has pointed out ongoing inhumanity in Kashmir many times. Do you have any answer ? As for example, Mirza Afzal Beg, the associate of Sheikh Abdullah once conducted a movement demanding Plebiscite in Kashmir and constructed a "Plebiscite Front". Their  demand was obviously ignored and not only this, Mirza was arrested on 9th August, 1955. Very democratic, isn't it ?

4) Yes, Dr. Bain, we are aware that Hindus are being oppressed in Bangladesh. But parallely,  it is also true that many Bangladesh based organizations including Drishtipat and Mukto-mona have raised their strong voice against such atrocities. They started fundraising with their limited strength for rehabilitation of unfortunate purnima, rita and Sujatas in our society. May I ask Dr. Bain, how many organizations/ people have raised their voice in India for their own Kashmiri people ? Can you show me only one example that any citizen has sacrificed his one day payment for saving those oppressed people ?  Don't you think those people of your own also need prior attention ? Don't you think that Indians should provide a helping hand to those unfortunate victims ?

5) Why don't you want to recognize the demand of Plebiscite in Kashmir  ? May be because, you think like most of the leftist intellectuals, "If Kashmiri people can vote to settle their own fate, they will perhaps want to get united with Pakistan. Communal vote can never be accepted".  Well if is so Dr. Bain, may I humbly remind you that in Maharastra, Indian people  have elected fundamentalist BJP and communal Shiva-shenas in the past. Have those intellectuals ever demanded to abolish the rights for vote of the people in Maharastra ? If not, why ?

6) "India will no longer accept to go for discussion with the third party accept Inda-pak regarding Kashmir issue". Such statement of Indian Government made  national hero among the fellow Indians. But I will be highly obliged if Dr. Bain confirm whether Kashmiri people are to be included in the so-called "third-party" to discuss for their own fate.

I hope you will understand my concern.

Lastly, I will request you read an article of mine and make your comment which is very related with such interesting topic :

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mukto-mona/message/4403

Best regards,

Avijit