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Indian government determined to crush the Kashmiri resistance
15 August 2008
MRN News Service – A division of Media Review Network
MRN exclusive
The Indian Government remains determined to crush the Kashmiri resistance
By Tahir Sema
Media Review Network is deeply perturbed that the Indian Government remains determined to crush the Kashmiri resistance by their continued occupation of the disputed territory of Kashmir.
For the Indian Government to seek partnership with South African Muslims in the commemoration of the Satyagraha (non violent resistance), it can be construed as seeking support for its brutal occupation of Kashmir.
The timing of this event outside the Newtown mosque, in Fordsburg, Johannesburg, and the honour that would be conferred to representatives of the Indian regime would unfairly blemish the deep seated political consciousness that Muslims have in their solidarity with Kashmir.
On behalf of MRN we challenge the Indian Government to avoid a duplicitous role which seeks to undermine Ghandi’s resistance against the British whilst continuing the slaughter of innocent Kashmiris.
The chairperson of the South African Kashmiri action group Salman Khan says they are completely disgraced by the act of the corporation of the Hamidia mosque authorities to celebrate the Satyagraha glorifying Gandhi at a time when millions of Kashmiris, the majority of whom are Muslims are brutalised by the Indian armed forces.
It is a huge dichotomy on the side of the Indian counsel to celebrate the Satyagraha, which was used 100 years ago by Ghandi against the illegal occupation of the British regime in South Africa and India.
“It is a detestable step by the Indian Government while their hands are fully soaked in the oppression of the Kashmiri people over the last 60 years”, said Mr. Khan
The South African Kashmiri Action Group (SAKAG) strongly opposes the ANC’s collaboration in tomorrows proceedings were Kgalema Motlanthe will be the guest of honour.
The group also strongly opposes the involvement of the Hamidia Mosque Authorities and that of the Jamiatul Ulama in staging such an event. They say it will tarnish the image of Muslims in South Africa.
SAKAG is requesting Muslims to protest the occasion and show solidarity tomorrow at 11:30 am outside the Hamidia Mosque in Newton Johannesburg.
* For further comments contact the author:
Tahir Sema 0829403403
Media Review Network is an advocacy group based in Tshwane (Pretoria), South Africa
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Pr celebrating the life of mahatma mk gandhi
15 August 2008
Press Release
Celebrating the life of Mahatma M.K. Gandhi: 16th August 2008
There is no doubt that Mahatma Gandhi was a champion of freedom and democracy. History will always remember him as an Icon who was in the forefront of the fight against oppression, colonialism and imperialism. Together with Jawaharlal Nehru, Mohammed Ali Jinnah and others, they fought the might of Western Imperialism in the form of Great Britain, to secure the independence of India. They successfully shrugged off the yolk of British domination and declared what was to become the greatest democracy of modern times. We salute and congratulate this historical achievement.
Those of us who are celebrating this occasion will do well to remember that this independence can never be fully appreciated, commemorated and enjoyed while the disputed territory of Kashmir is on fire. It is an insult to the man in whose honour the festivities are being held. If you are really sincere about these celebrations, then you should ensure that the promise which Gandhi made to the world on the 26th October1947 when he said: “If the people of Kashmir are in favour of opting for Pakistan, no power on Earth can stop them from doing so. They should be left free to decide for themselves.” The operative phrase is “free to decide for themselves.” Successive Governments of India have reneged on this undertaking, thereby tarnishing and tainting the august name of this giant of a freedom fighter.
The Media Review Network calls upon the organisers of the Celebration to use the opportunity to conscientise the public of the plight of the Kashmiris. You have an ideal opportunity, to remind the Indian High Commissioner, Mr. R.K.Bhathia, as well as the Minister of Tourism and Culture from the Government of India, of their moral obligation not only to the people of Kashmir, but in honour of the personality they wish to remember. If and until this obligation remains unfulfilled, all you celebrations will be empty, soulless and meaningless. In the meantime the representative of the South African Government is faced with a challenge to raise this issue with the Government of India as soon as possible. He is ideally suited to the task considering his political background.
Issued by:
Ibrahim Vawda
Senior Researcher
012 374 6987
Media Review Network is an advocacy group based in Tshwane (Pretoria), South Africa
Pr Kashmir peace what peace?
(Photo: IOL)
15 August 2008
PRESS RELEASE:
KASHMIR: PEACE, WHAT PEACE?
The Media Review Network (MRN) and the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) has long been agitating for a settlement in the Indian Occupied Territory of Kashmir. The tragedy that is playing itself out in the region during the past month is merely a symptom of the will of the Kashmiris- their desire for self determination and their sovereign state. Successive Indian Governments have steadfastly refused to honour the United Nations Resolutions. They have also ignored the promises made by Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma M.K. Gandhi, both of whom, on numerous occasions, assured the people of this disputed territory, that a referendum would be held and the will of the people respected. This undertaking, regrettably, remains a pipe dream.
Sixty years after Independence, the Government of India remains intransigent. Their policy of state run terrorism via the employment of over 700 000 security forces is allowed to continue unhindered by the International Community. Political parties, for the sake of political expediency, stir up communal violence between Muslim and Hindu. The suffering of the civilian population, mostly women, children, the elderly and the infirm is of little consequence. The Muslim population is at the receiving end of this brutal machinery. The anguish, pain and misery brought onto the human population are beyond imagination. The violation of human rights by the security forces, coupled with the array of draconian laws make the security forces almost immune to any prosecution. The local population has nearly no recourse to a fair and just judicial system.
It is as a matter of urgency that our Government identify with the people of Kashmir and impress on the Indian Government to respect the wishes of the People and by doing so honour the UN Resolutions. The MRN and MJC also call upon the South African Human Rights Commission to visit the disputed territory and to make an independent assessment of the situation on the ground. It is our moral responsibility to identify with the suffering of the people of Kashmir, considering our fight against oppression, discrimination and human rights violations.
Issued by:
Ibrahim Vawda
Senior Researcher
Media Review Network
012 374 6987
And
Nabeweya Malick
Public Relations
Muslim Judicial Council
083 408 1157