Resolve Kashmir crisis to maintain stability in South Asia

Picture - Deash Bachao Andolan. Photo courtesy

A discussion meeting titled 'Politics of Kashmir and South Asia' was held on Friday, February 18, 2022 at 10.30 am at the initiative of Save the Nation, Save the People Movement. Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury, Founder, Ganashastha Kendra was present as the Chief Guest at the discussion meeting. Former Bangladeshi diplomat Shakib Ali, security analyst Barrister Major (Retd) Sarwar, General Secretary of Bangladesh Muslim League Kazi Abul Khair and Secretary General of Bhasani Anusari Parishad Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Bablu addressed the discussion as guest speakers. Conducted by KM Rakibul Islam Ripon, President of the Organizing Committee.

Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury, the founder of the Ganashahstha Kendra, commented that the Kashmir crisis is a threat to South Asia and the world. He said India had made the region more unstable by revoking the special autonomy of the Kashmiris (Article 370). The Indian government must give up the poison of communalism and restore the rights of the people of Kashmir.

Recalling Bangabandhu's support for the Kashmiri people on the centenary of his birth, Dr. Zafrullah said that the government and people of Bangladesh should stand by the Kashmiri people. He also called for a UN-sponsored referendum to resolve the Kashmir crisis in order to maintain stability in South Asia.

He added that bureaucrats are controlling the country today. For so long, the government has detained people with corona. The Digital Security Act has kept people captive to tell the truth.

Former Bangladeshi diplomat Shakib Ali said Kashmir is very important for both India and Pakistan. Armed struggle has been going on here since 1989. Most of them are Muslims and they are being persecuted regularly. The people of all countries, including Bangladesh, should speak out against this torture. He emphasized the importance of implementing SAARC.

Security analyst Barrister Major (retd) Sarwar called on India to practice democracy in a non-communal spirit. He expressed support for the just rights of the Kashmiri people and said that India should restore the rights of the Kashmiri people through the reinstatement of Article 370. He also called upon the government and political parties to support the freedom-loving people of Kashmir in the light of the constitution of Bangladesh. He said the decision should be taken according to the views of Kashmiris through holding a referendum through the United Nations. He said that to understand the Kashmir issue, one has to understand the history of the BJP. The BJP was established to exploit Muslims. They are torturing the Muslims of Kashmir and India and also exploiting Bangladesh. So now it is necessary to unite and resist the policy of aggression of India.

Kazi Abul Khair, general secretary of Bangladesh Muslim League, said the nation needs to find out why SAARC is ineffective in South Asia. Because it could play the highest role in the social, political, economic development of the region like the European Union. He called on the government and political parties to support the freedom-loving people of Kashmir.

Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Bablu, secretary general of the Bhasani Followers' Council, said that SAARC was formed by Ziaur Rahman with the overall mutual cooperation of South Asia. But today it is ineffective.  – Press release