IF A REFERENDUM GAVE TIMOR SOVEREIGNTY IN 1999, WHY CAN'T A REFERENDUM DECIDE KASHMIR'S FATE IN 2019

By Umar AbdurRahman

The recent unilateral decision of Prime Minister Modi’s government to revoke Article 370, which guaranteed the special status of Jammu and Kashmir; dismemberment of the State, and its diminished of possible independence from India through referendum as Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste when it suffered similar fate from Indonesia.

Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party had promised in their election manifesto to abrogate the special status of the only Muslim-majority state, and they made good on the promise on 4th of August and celebrated on India's Independence day -August 15. Revoking Article 370 and Article 35A of the Indian constitution which together had granted state of Jammu and Kashmir its own constitution and decision-making rights for everything but from foreign affairs, communications, and defense. They also prevented Indians from outside the state from permanently settling there and buying land.

History has it that East Timor a Christian dominated former province of the world most populated Muslim state -Indonesia- voted for sovereignty from Indonesia in 1999. Timor 90% christian state haven been christianed via its colonization by Portugal in the 16th century. Thus, they saw all reason for its incompatibility with her clans men, they stood by it and broke free at last. Her military wing resisted 35,000 Indonesian troops in a prolonged guerrilla campaign, but the whole island remained under Indonesian control until a referendum due to increased international pressure, eventually let in 1999 to an UN-sponsored agreement between Indonesia, Portugal and the United States for a UN-supervised popular referendum held on 30 August, which its people rejected the offer of autonomy within Indonesia.

Similar fate was been brewed as India and Pakistan have been at loggerheads over the territory that lies between them: Kashmir. After the two countries gained independence from British rule in 1947. On 26 October 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh signed the “Instrument of Accession” to India, officially ceding to the government of India jurisdiction over defense, foreign affairs and communications. The accession of J & K to India was accepted by Lord Mountbatten with the proviso that once political stability was established in the region, a referendum would be held in which the people of the State would either validate or veto the accession. Unfortunately, after 70 years, India is still yet to acknowledge the Kashmiris right to independence. Rather, its enforcing a kind of colonization and technical ethnic cleansing.

On August 4th, Prominent Kashmiri leaders, including former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, placed under house arrest. Internet and mobile services curtailed, and section 144, which prevents a gathering of more than four people in public spaces, imposed. Armed Indian paramilitaries numbering several tens of thousands, who were flown into Kashmir in the run-up to the special status announcement, staff road blocks that appear every few hundred metres. While roads leading south which experienced more protest are strictly blocked by razor wire which turns the street into a maze making the people feel as strangers in their own neighbourhood as they try to find their way through the wires as Paramilitaries watches their ordeal.

India's BJP has long campaigned for abrogating Kashmir's special privileges in the constitution, which it sees as an appeasement to Muslims and a hindrance to its own development.

Kashmiris have been resisting New Delhi’s rule for decades in the Indian-controlled portion, and most Kashmiri residents want either independence or a merger with Pakistan.

As the tough political talk on Kashmir has a direct impact on the lives of millions of Muslims on both sides of the line of control, the question is would the world super powers and democratic giants and their organs the UN and co enforce a referendum for the Kashmiris to decide on freedom or colonization under India as they stood with Timor in respect of Indonesia or another double standard as accustomed in the man made legislated system.

Will Pakistan be able to neutralise the Indian move; can diplomacy diffuse tensions; and will other powers in the Muslim world get involved, and if so, in support or further betrayal.

What could this mean for Kashmiris? Independence or further colonisation. Hmm... when would the Ummah wake up from its slumber!?