In commemoration of martyrdom Anniversaries of Shaheed Maqbool Bhat and Afzal Guru, Legal Forum for Kashmir (LFK) held a Round Table discussion titled “Remembering Maqbool Bhat and Afzal Guru: Highlighting Indian Injustices and Ensuring Accountability in Kashmir” in Islamabad on 12 February 2024.
The primary focus of roundtable was to honor the struggle, vision and legacy of martyred pro-resistance leaders which continues to inspire young generation of Jammu and Kashmir.
All the worthy guest speakers paid glowing tributes to Muhammad Maqbool Bhat and Muhammad Afzal Guru. The guest speakers include Sardar Nabila Irshad, Chairperson Jammu Kashmir Democratic Party (JKDP), Nasir Qadri, Executive director Legal Forum for Kashmir (LFK), Dr. Muhammad Tahir Tabassum, CEO Institute of Peace and Development (INSPAD) Pakistan and Musab Manzoor Program coordinator & senior Research Associate Legal Forum for Kashmir (LFK).
Sardar Nabila Irshad paid rich tributes to Muhammad Maqbool Bhat and Muhammad Afzal Guru. She said, Kashmir resistance history is full of the stories of brave hearts who are the real heroes of our nation. She said, both the leaders Muhammad Maqbool Bhat and Muhammad Afzal Guru were hanged by the occupying authorities through different conspiracies hatched against them at two different times. She stated, Muhammad Maqbool Butt is the corner stone of our resistance against forcible occupation of India. Both the slain martyrs are symbols of freedom and liberty. They have sacrificed their life for the righteous cause.
Moreover, she said “Struggle of Muhammad Maqbool Butt and Afzal Guru are glorious chapters of our history that will always guide us through the tough journey of our struggle and as a nation we need to follow their footsteps and remain steadfast. Both these martyred leaders infused a new life into Kashmir struggle. She said that because of the sacrifices of Kashmiri people Kashmir issue is discussed in all the international forums and everyone is demanding that Kashmiris should be given their right of self- determination as promised and guaranteed by Security Council.
Tahir Tabassum highlighting the sacrifices of the Kashmiri Martyrs and said that despite the repressive policies of India the people of Jammu and Kashmir are struggling for the right of self-determination and are determined to this sacred cause. The Indian armed forces have been given free hand to violate the fundamental rights of people of IOJK to suppress and oppress the pro-resolution movement. He said that with a view to suppress freedom sentiment in IOJK, India hanged Maqbool Bhat and Afzal Guru.
He said, every year 9 and 11 February, people of Jammu and Kashmir living across the globe organize meetings, protests and rallies to commemorate the martyrdom anniversaries of both the leaders and demand to return their dead bodies.
He said, Mohammad Maqbool Bhat was hanged on the 11th of February in 1984 for his leading role in Kashmir liberation movement. During the ongoing struggle of Kashmir thousands of Kashmiris were killed by Indian occupying forces and thousands of people are disappeared. Thousands of women are known as half-widows. Thousands of unidentified graves are present in IOJK that stand witness to the sufferings inflicted upon the people of IOJK.
Moreover, he stressed that we need to strengthen Kashmir issue and launch a campaign to demand release of all Kashmiri prisoners.
Nasir Qadri stated that Muhammad Maqbool Bhat and Muhammad Afzal Guru are heroes of the Kashmiri nation and we are proud of them. Kashmiri nation has been resisting the forced control of the state for the past 76 years and during this period thousands of our valiant and brave people have sacrificed their precious lives for this sacred cause but Maqbool Bhat and Afzal Guru are two separate cases who were detained, executed and buried in the same jail and in same month.
Mr. Qadri said, both the leaders are source of inspiration for us, the best way of paying tributes to them is that the people of Kashmir and state of Pakistan should not forget these brave sons of the soil, who sacrificed their present for the future of the nation.
Musab Manzoor also paid glowing tribute to Mohammad Maqbool Bhat and Muhammad Afzal Guru and shed light on the history, life and struggle of both the slain leaders. He said, both the leaders laid down their lives for the honor and dignity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. They were denied fair trials and their hanging was travesty of justice. They are buried in Delhi’s Tihar Jail and till date Kashmiris across the world are demanding to return the mortal remains.
The hanging of both the leaders will continue to inspire generations to come as great symbols of courage and sacrifices and will be acting as guiding lights for people throughout the world to stand firm, determined and tall against all sorts of tyranny and tyrannical tactics.
Mr. Musab said, the hanging of Afzal Guru was done in an extremely secretive manner, his family was not informed. The hanging of Afzal guru was to satisfy so-called collective conscience.
Mr. Musab also expressed serious concern about the incarcerated Kashmiri women leadership. They are suffering from various diseases and have been denied from Medical check-ups, proper healthcare and medications. Even the food changes that may have made a difference are not allowed.
The event was concluded by a question-answer session where many participants posed different questions to which the honorable speakers answered with much clarity.