1. Resistance Unto Freedom
kashmircivitas.com
A monthly collection of significant
developments related to Kashmir
Shaheed Syed Ali Shah Geelani Passes Away:
His Everlasting Legacy of Resistance
Volume 1, Issue 10
S e p t e m b e r 2 0 2 1
3. CONTENT
Beyond Sectarian Identities: Kashmiris Stand United against Indian Oppression
Indian Occupation Forces in Kashmir Coerce Shaheed Burhan Wani’s Father to Raise Indian Flag
Indian Independence Day the Only Gathering Possible in Kashmir Amid Covid-19
Amid Indian Oppression, Taliban Sends a Message for Kashmiri Brethren
1.
Page No
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05
06
07
08
Topics
2.
3.
4.
5.
Free Kashmiri Land Granted to Indian Hindus, Threatening Delicate Ecology 09
6.
Kashmir and Afghanistan: A Shared History, Culture and Geopolitical Environment 1 0
7.
Shaheed Syed Ali Shah Geelani Passes Away: His Everlasting Legacy of Resistance
4. Kashmiris have been resisting foreign occupa-
tion since 1846 and the establishment of the
brutal Dogra regime that was militarily support-
ed by the British colonial power. Then, in 1947,
Kashmiris were tricked and their freedom was
stolen by the expansionist, neo-colonial Indian
state. Since then, however, the ebb and flow of
resistance has intensified. Every era has provid-
ed a new hope, and new heroes that inspire
Kashmiris’ to resist against oppressive forces.
Over the past few decades, as the Indian occu-
pation grew uglier, resistance became religious-
ly obligatory. And the one personality that
embodied this spirit of unwavering faith, fear-
less resistance and unparalleled inspiration for
masses is the Shaheed Syed Ali Shah Geelani. On
September 01, Shaheed Geelani passed away in
the evening at the age of 92. Given his strong
commitment to the Kashmir’s cause of indepen-
dence from Indian occupation, and his massive
following in the disputed territory, Shaheed
Geelani was the most dreaded Kashmiri leader.
Especially for the architects of Indian occupa-
tion in Kashmir.
For this reason, Indian agencies had put him
under house arrest for more than a decade and
deprived the ailing leader of necessary medical
aid. Throughout the ups and downs that Sha-
heed Geelani faced personally, or that all Kash-
miris faced collectively, he never showed any
sign of surrender or weariness of character. This
despite the fact that most of his comrades
advised him to soften his stance, alter his posi-
tion or compromise. For him, any concession
against Indian occupation was betrayal. Not just
to his millions of followers, but to himself, and
his Creator. A Kashmir journalist wrote of Gee-
lani: “Why did Geelani scare the Indian state,
both in life and death? The answer probably lies
in a slogan with which people would greet his
presence in both small and mammoth anti-India
demonstrations: na jhukney wala, na bikhne
wala - the one who doesn’t bow, and can’t be
bought. Implicit in this slogan was the indict-
ment that there were many who had
succumbed to the machinations of the Indian
state in the past and there were others to follow
suit. Yet, he stood above the fray – as a giant
among men.
Shaheed Syed Ali Shah Geelani Passes Away:
His Everlasting Legacy of Resistance
Mazahmat
03 Mazahmat
References:
Hilal Mir: September 02, 2021
https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/geelani-leaves-a-legacy-of-unflinching-commitment-to-the-kashmir-cause-49649
Azaan Javaid: September 03, 2021
https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/india-buries-geelani-at-the-darkest-hour-imposes-strict-curfew-in-kashmir-49660
5. Mazahmat
04
Aljazeera: September 02, 2021
aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/2/india-kashmir-lockdown-syed-ali-shah-geelani-death-burial
Aljazeera: September 02, 2021
aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/2/obituary-syed-ali-shah-geelani-was-symbol-of-kashmir-resistance
Shahid Tantray: September 05, 2021
https://caravanmagazine.in/politics/kashmir-syed-ali-shah-geelani-death-burial
Knowing that the news about the Shaheed’s pass-
ing away and funeral prayers would draw millions
of Kashmiris, the callous Indian State imposed a
strict curfew in Kashmir, blocked all the media
outlets, and the internet. Then, in a clear breach of
international law and the Geneva conventions, the
occupation state agencies snatched his body from
his family and buried him in the dark of the night.
Then, in a shocking act of cowardice and cruelty,
they booked the Shaheed’s family for complaining.
“They snatched his body and forcibly buried him.
Nobody from the family was present for his burial.
We tried to resist but they overpowered us and
even scuffled with women,” his son, Naseem Gee-
lani, told a news organization. However, Kashmiris
across the world offered prayers and tribute to their
leader.
References:
Shaheed Syed Ali Shah Geelani left this world at a
time when Kashmiris are witnessing the nastiest
symptoms of Indian occupation. That includes
war crimes such as demographic change, mar-
ginalization of the majority Muslim population,
cultural annihilation and imposition of Hinduism
as the dominant culture. At the same time, this
region is witnessing a massive transformation.
Taliban has won power in Afghanistan, after two
decades of struggle against Western and Indian
intervention in the country. This raises hopes in
Kashmir that Pakistan would be fully able to
focus on Kashmir and support Kashmiri struggle
for freedom. The sun always comes after the
6. Mazahmat
05
References:
Hilal Mir: August 18, 2021
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/dozens-held-journalists-beaten-as-police-stop-muslim-rally-in-kashmir/2338502
Mazahmat
The holy month of Muharram, which is a symbol of
speaking truth to power, resistance against oppres-
sion and seeking justice throughout the Muslim
world, was bloody in Kashmir. The people
witnessed the spilling of blood on the streets of
Srinagar yet again. Interestingly, Muharram proces-
sions have historically been banned by Indian
forces for more than three decades. Now, the Indian
occupying forces allowed it in devious attempts to
create sectarian and communal division among
Kashmiris. However, that plan backfired and
instead the Indian occupation forces fired shot-
guns, pellets, and tear gas on the Muslim proces-
sion in the Indian occupied Kashmir, which critically
injured dozens of people – both Sunni and Shia.
Moreover, in a blatant disregard for religious senti-
ments, Indian occupations forces violently disrupt-
ed the Muharram procession, bashed participants
and then placed barricades and concertina wire all
over. Angry participants tried to cross the barri-
cades but were punished ruthlessly, while others
were even detained.
Also, the Indian occupation forces began harassing
even the journalists that were covering the proces-
sion. It is obvious that the Indian occupation
authorities have lost their mind, and lost all sem-
blance of balance in the harsh reality that they no
longer control the narrative. For all long time, they
were successful in limiting the reach of the bona
fide Kashmiri narrative but that is no longer true.
Especially now, every gathering of Kashmiris con-
tains anti-Indian rhetoric and expresses solidarity
against the occupation. Muharram, and other
religious occasions, have always been symbolic for
Kashmiri resistance against the Indian occupation,
but are now even more so. Kashmiri Muslims,
irrespective of their religious identities, have stood
united against the atrocities committed by Indian
occupation forces and have raised a united voice of
“Free Kashmir” and “End to Indian Occupation.”
Especially during the 10th day of Muharram – com-
memorated as the Day of Ashura, which marks
martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (R.A), the
grandson of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH),
Kashmiris chant slogans against India’s occupation
of Kashmir. Moreover, rallies are held all over the
world by Kashmiris and other Muslims in this holy
month to struggle against injustice.
Beyond Sectarian Identities:
Kashmiris Stand United
against Indian Oppression
7. Mazahmat
References:
Tribune News Service: August 15, 2021
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/j-k/burhan-wanis-father-hoists-tricolour-at-govt-school-in-j-ks-tral-297903
Yusuf Jameel: August 16, 2021
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/politics/160821/burhan-wanis-father-hoists-tricolour-at-a-school-in-jks-tral.html
06 Mazahmat
Never in the post-colonial history of the Indian
state has its inequality and cruelty been exposed
as it is today. More than seven decades after the
transfer of power from British colonists to Indian
elite class Hindu and they are as petrified as ever.
The self-doubt about Indian nationalism, the lack
of confidence and trust in Indian state institutions
and several regional movements against Indian
rule are devastating society. As a response, the
so-called Indian nation becomes more dubious,
and its actions continue to become more and
more ugly. This inferiority complex of the nation is
laid bare on the streets of Kashmir, the place
where the Indian occupation forces attempt to
redeem its lost dignity. Kashmir is an object where
Indian nationalists fulfill their ego.
Nowhere is this insecurity and fragility more
apparent than when the brutal and cowardly
Indian occupation forces compelled, on August 15
- India’s Independence Day, Kashmiris to hoist the
Indian flag. This happened throughout the entire
disputed territory.
Kashmiris, often at gunpoint, were forced to raise
the occupier’s national flag. It is bewildering how
any people could rejoice in such artificial patrio-
tism, but such is the sorry state of Indian affairs.
Worst of all, the Indian army forced the father of
Kashmir’s Shaheed Commander Burhan Wani,
Muhammad Muzaffar Wani, to raise the Indian
flag amid guns pointed at his family. It was not
only criminal, it was pathetic. The courageous
Muhammad Muzaffar Wani, whose heart remains
wounded after the martyrdom of his two sons in
last four years, was turned into an accessory for an
artificial display of grotesque Indian nationalism.
Even more disturbing, not a single person or entity
in the entire Indian media and civil society came
forward to denounce this horrible act. This is how
an Indian media outlet put it: “Signs of a new
dawn surfaced in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday,
with the Tri-color being unfurled at all govern-
ment schools, colleges and other institutions, and
father of the slain terrorist Burhan Wani doing the
honors at a government school in Tral where he is
the Principal.” The delusion knows no bounds.
Indian Occupation Forces in Kashmir
Coerce Shaheed Burhan Wani’s Father
to Raise Indian Flag
8. Mazahmat
07
References:
Mazahmat
After illegally annexing the disputed territory of Kashmir, following the abroga-
tion of Article 370 and 35A, the hegemonic Indian state in Kashmir has disrupted
the entire social fabric of society. Life in Kashmir, including schools, normal
shop-front gatherings, and so on, are coerced in unnatural ways. Whether that is
by forcing name changes on roads, streets and public areas, or even promoting –
by gunpoint, expression of admiration of the occupying Indian state. Such com-
pelled affections are not only absurd, but neurotic. Worse, the infirmity and deep
insecurity of the Indian state, cares not even for the pandemic when it comes to
compelling its Indianization and imposing its false patriotism on the Kashmiri
people. Recently, a week prior to Indian Independence Day on 15th August, the
occupying Indian State issued a weekly order detailing so-called Covid-19 con-
tainment measures. Like previous orders, that have been issued periodically since
the second wave of the pandemic in the summer, it talked about the need to
follow social distancing norms, intensify vaccination drives, keep schools closed
and restrict gatherings to 25 people. However, all those rules and regulations
were thrown out of the window for their coerced India day celebrations.
There was no ceiling on gatherings on August 15, 2021 in the disputed territory of
Jammu and Kashmir, and even schools were forced to organize celebrations that
day. How pathological and insecure must a state be in which it compels people,
against their will, to celebrate their foreign holidays. For decades, national com-
memorations have elicited a stony silence and indifference from the vast majority
of Kashmiris. Since an armed uprising erupted against Indian rule in 1989, Kash-
miris have maintained shutdowns on Independence Day and Republic Day. As a
result, these events have been relegated to high-security zones inaccessible to
ordinary civilians.
Safwat Zargar: August 14, 2021
https://scroll.in/article/1002801/how-august-15-is-changing-colours-in-centrally-run-kashmir
Indian Independence Day
the Only Gathering Possible
in Kashmir Amid Covid-19
9. Just like the entire world, Taliban’s capture of
power in Afghanistan has caught Indian geo-politi-
cal strategists by surprise. Afghanistan, for the
stale Indian strategists, was an important front
used to destabilize Pakistan. This prompted India
to invest its scare resources in Afghanistan, and tag
along the ‘Western’ project as their pet Indian
darling. Over the past two decades, at the behest
of their superiors, Indians made serious invest-
ments in Afghanistan. All of this has now been
obliterated. The situation has already forced
dozens of Indians to flee Afghanistan, but many
have been kept behind for questioning. Now, the
latest ‘threat’ to India has emerged when the
Taliban announced that they were going to raise
voice of support for their Muslim brethren in Kash-
mir. This statement petrified the entire Indian
establishment.
For Kashmiris, it raised their hopes as they have
been reeling under worst of the oppression in
years. It is becoming clear that Indian State is not
going to have a free hand to commit extreme
violence against innocent and powerless Kash-
miris. For the Hindu nationalist government in
India, a sign of Muslim unity in Afghanistan seems
to have frozen the minds of Indian policymakers.
Suhail Shaheen, Taliban spokesman, told the BBC's
Hindi service recently: "As Muslims, we also have a
right to raise our voice for Muslims in Kashmir,
India or any other country." After this brief state-
ment by the Taliban spokesperson, Kashmiris have
begun to see light after the long tunnel of dark-
ness.
Mazahmat
08
References:
Vineet Khare: September 04, 2021
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-58419719
Mazahmat
Amid Indian Oppression, Taliban Sends
a Message for Kashmiri Brethren
10. Free Kashmiri Land Granted to Indian
Hindus, Threatening Delicate Ecology
Mazahmat
09
References:
FPK: August 22, 2021
https://freepresskashmir.news/2021/08/22/at-rs-10-per-kanal-amaranth-board-gets-land-in-srinagar/
Mazahmat
The occupying Indian State’s loot of Kashmiri land and resources continues
unabashedly. The Indian State agencies have accorded sanction to the grant of 25
Kanals of land at Pathan Chowk to a Hindu organization, Amarnath Shrine Board
(SASB), for construction of an office and Yatri Niwas on a “lease basis” for a period
of 40 years from the date of taking over the possession. As per an order, the Hindu
Board has been granted land on payment of nominal ground rent of Rs. 10/- per
kanal per annum without charge of any premium subject to the condition that
the land shall be used only for the purpose for which it is granted.
“The allotment/lease shall be governed under the JK Land Grants
Act 1960 and the rules made thereunder,”
reads the order. The Indian administration is initiating various services, along with
the infrastructural development to millions of Indian Hindus. Kashmiris have
strongly resisted any construction and diversion of Kashmiri land because it
threatens the environment as well as changes the nature of the disputed territo-
ry. However, the Hindutva project of owning Kashmir is rapidly gaining pace. It
seems something ominous is on the horizon.
11. Kashmir and Afghanistan:
A Shared History, Culture and
Geopolitical Environment
Mazahmat
10 Mazahmat
While the entire world is debating Taliban’s gaining
of power in Afghanistan, Kashmiris are probably the
most interested in the debate given the geostrate-
gic impact of Afghanistan’s changing atmosphere
on Kashmir. In fact, Kashmiris have not been able to
conceal their jubilation and the social media is
witness to that.
The reasons for so much interest in the unfolding
situation in Afghanistan speak to Kashmir’s local
experiences, cultural and historical relationship
with Afghanistan. After all, Ahmad Shah Abdali
established an empire that included Kashmir, and
present-day Pakistan. What this clearly implies is
that there are deep social, cultural, ethnic linkages
across this region that have not been properly
explored and celebrated. The recent turn in
Afghanistan has again raised hopes among Kash-
miris who are reeling under an intense wave of
oppression by Indian military forces.
Kashmir’s relationship with Afghanistan, however,
goes beyond the Cold War and post-9/11 events.
Kashmir’s culture and history are laced with the
narratives of Sufis and other Muslim migrants
coming from Central Asian, Persian as well as
Afghan lands. Therefore, Kashmiri culture is a com-
position of the different elements from these lands.
If modern Kashmiriyat (Kashmiri identity) is
anything, it is the mixture of all the components
from the present-day Afghanistan’s ethnici-
ties—Pashtuns, Uzbeks, Tajiks, Turkmens and
others. The currently unfolding situation in Afghani-
stan has raised hopes for Muslim unity from Turkey
to Kashmir, after centuries of fragmentation of
geographies and minds by Western Colonists and
their post-colonial stooges.
