ISLAMABAD, 5 February 2003 — Kashmir Solidarity Day is being observed today to express support for the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination. The day aims at highlighting the freedom struggle of Kashmiris and seeking international support for the Kashmir cause. The observance of this day began shortly after the launching by the people of Kashmir of an indigenous movement in 1989.
Kashmiris launched their movement after waiting for more than four decades for the implementation of resolutions passed by the UN Security Council on Aug. 13, 1948, and Jan. 5,1949 that guaranteed them the right to self-determination.
Indian military occupation of most of the state of Jammu and Kashmir in 1947-48 had violated the principle on the basis of which British India was partitioned in 1947, that contiguous Muslim majority areas would form parts of Pakistan. The Hindu Maharaja of Kashmir, a state which had an 80 percent Muslim population, was persuaded to accede to India after fighting broke out between his forces and the Muslim population. After the conflict spread, following the involvement of Pakistani forces to counter the threat to national security in 1948, it was India that took the matter to the UN which decided that the state was not a part of India, and that the question of accession to India or Pakistan should be decided on the basis of the will of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, to be ascertained through a plebiscite under UN auspices. Though India and Pakistan accepted that decision, India subsequently reneged on its commitment to hold a plebiscite, while holding on to the occupied territory on the basis of its military strength. It has advanced various arguments to justify its illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir, but has failed to persuade the world that the accession was legal and binding.
