India’s chief aim has always been to consolidate its position in occupied Jammu Kashmir. When situation was not in its favor, India begged the west to try to persuade the pro independence Kashmiri leaders to come to table, but later, India imprisoned all the leadership and the west remained silent. Now, India is trying to suppress its own people who speak their conscience. India’s decision to try its prize winning Novelist, Arundhiti Roy, is a fresh example.
The Modi regime has accused her of remarking in 2010 that Jammu Kashmir was not a part of India. Over 200 indian academic, journalists and human rights activists have written an open letter against Roy’s trial, but the representatives of our people for whom, Arundhati Roy bravely spoke out, haven’t raised their voice for her as yet. The AJK leadership and Kashmiri diaspora are either too slow or too reckless.
In comparison to India, we are not consistent enough. This is why, we haven’t got anywhere as yet despite unprecedented sacrifices of our people. We must change ourselves to change our fate!
Quayyum Raja's full official name is Abdul Quayyum Raja, but the British press shortened his name when he was arrested in connection with an Indian diplomat kidnapped by his fellow KASHMIRIS in Birmingham in 1984 to save the life of a Kashmiri Hero Muhammad Maqbool Butt hanged by India and buried inside Tihar jail on 11 February 1984. Quayyum Raja is from Azad Jammu Kashmir administered by Pakistan. He acquired various qualifications from EU and UK, including a Master in Psychology & Social Sciences, Journalism and Modern World History. He supports both Pan Islam and Pluralism, which may sound a contradiction, but he claims he can draw a balance. Quayyum Raja spent about 22 years in British jail extra-juducially as a Kashmiri political prisoner. He was released by the European Court of Human Rights on 17 May 2005. He has travelled extensively both before his captivity and after his release.
