This is for the first time since partition of India on communal lines that any influential Muslim body has openly discussed contentious Kashmir issue and the problems Kashmiris are facing.
“We would like to assure the people of Kashmir that we as citizens of India share their grief and anguish and support their rightful demands and we do not consider the interests of the Kashmiri people are separate from the interests of Indian Muslims,” Jamiat, considered to be Darul-Uloom’s socio-political front, said in a statement passed after the day long conclave on Sunday.
The conclave, attended by hundreds of clerics drawn from different parts of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh and other states, discussed Kashmir and the problems facing the people of Kashmir but it was not clear if Kashmiri Muslims were represented at the conclave.
Later an 11-point resolution was passed.
The resolution demanded the withdrawal of Armed forces from civilian areas and lifting of Armed Forces Special Power Act and Public Safety Act from the valley.
“The use of power to repress the anguish of citizen would not help. It will instead complicate the problem further and shall fuel separatist mindset. Peace and Justice have cause and effect relationship with each other,” the resolution said.
While asking the Government to ensure prompt justice to the victims, Jamiat asked Kashmiris to restore peace as it was pre-requisite for proper functioning of the state.
It said protesters and their leaders should realize that “democratic rights and nstitutions cannot be restored in disturbed environ. Peaceful environ is prerequisite for proper functioning of democratic institutions.”
Without elaborating, Jamiat demanded that the “long pending legitimate demands of Kashmiri people must be accepted within framework of the constitution of India.”
Jamiat also demanded establishment of an independent, impartial and transparent commission of enquiry into serious violations of human rights, for tracing and returning of thousands of lost and missing youths and ensure fair compensation to victims.
“Protesters and agitators nabbed without viable reason be freed forthwith. Lethal methods of crowd control must be avoided and humane and modern techniques and equipments should be adopted,” the resolution said.
Jamiat leader Mahmood Madani said that the Kashmir issue could not be addressed without taking Indian Muslims on board.
'India is like a bouquet of different types of flowers. We just cannot think of allowing any one of the flowers to be separated,' said Mualana Abdur Rahim Bastawi Sheikhut Tafseer Darul Uloom Deoband.
Apart from Jamiat leaders various leaders from the Muslim community were also invited to share their views on the issue of Kashmir.
Representing Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Mujtaba Farooq, political affairs secretary of Jamaat, said the government of India does not seem to have interest with Kashmiri people. This is evident in the development of the regions of Jammu and Kashmir.
There is a big difference in terms of development between Jammu and Valley, he said.
He termed Jamiat’s conference on Kashmir as a positive and brave step.
Addressing the meeting, senior journalist M.J. Akbar said: 'If it is about getting a fair deal and justice to Kashmiris, we are 100 percent with Kashmir. If it is about separation, we are 1,000 percent against it.'
When asked why were they silent so long, All India Muslim Personal Law Board's Kamal Farooqui said, 'Muslims were not comfortable talking about Kashmir for fear of getting branded and harassement by police and intelligence agencies.'
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