Engineer Hilal Ahmad War, Chairman of People’s Political Party (PPP), is a prominent separatist leader in All Parties Hurriyat Conference camp headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. He is credited with many firsts on Kashmir front. He did his schooling from SP Higher Secondary School, Srinagar, which has a magnificent record of producing political stalwarts, and pursued Bachelor’s Degree in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, from the University of Bangalore. War presented a roadmap on 10 August, 1996, for resolution of the Kashmir Problem. A ‘Goodwill Bus Service’ between both sides of the LoC, he believes is his brainchild.
In an exclusive interview with our senior correspondent, Rameez Makhdoomi, War talks about the current political situation of Kashmir.
Critics say Hurriyat Conference lacks dynamism and vigor. What is your comment on this?
I remained for about 20 years outside the platform of Hurriyat Conference and acted as a watchdog. Even after spilt of Hurriyat Conference, I did not join any faction and during all these years I authored several books and was architect of Srinagar-Muzafarabad Bus Service Concept. I had joined Hurriyat Conference as I have dream of peaceful south Asia and it depends upon resolution of Kashmir dispute. We as Hurriyat are central and main party to this dispute. After all these years I believe Hurriyat Conference does not have any political agenda.
So you buy the criticism that Hurriyat is reactionary not creative in its resistance mechanisms?
Yes, definitely both Hurriyat factions have failed to plead the Kashmir case and have neither any strategy nor agenda. We as resistance leaders should have creative policies not reactionary. I would like to state that a section of leaders here play a friendly match with India which has damaged our cause. Such friendly matches are detrimental to all three parties of Kashmir dispute.
How do you view the recent series of developments with reference to Kashmir issue at JNU?
It is great optimistic sign that non Kashmiri and non-Muslim students at JNU have felt the pain about the issues of Kashmir and have raised their voice for same. JNU has emerged as headquarter for Kashmir peace and resolution efforts. The JNU movement lead by brave guys like Kanhaya lends legitimacy to the movement of Kashmir and dispute related contours. He broke the myth of it being sponsored.JNU has emerged as a state within state and this has come up as refreshing change.
What are your views that Pakistan’s support to resistance movement in Kashmir has ebbed?
We need to bear in mind that over the years Pakistan has got encircled in series of internal problems. Logically and rationally speaking safeguarding Pakistan has been the priority for the people over there. But I believe that Kashmir dispute will remain constantly core of Pakistans Foreign policy.
What is your take on Nawaz Sharif lead government efforts on Kashmir dispute and any hopes from emerging Imran Khan?
Nawaz Sharif lead government has displayed lacklustre efforts in highlighting the Kashmir dispute as Nawaz lacks the impact as a politician. He is also poor in articulation. As far as Imran Khan is concerned he is a complete flop show in politics and is failure as politician. My mentor has been Martyr Zulifikar Ali Bhutto and I believe Pakistan needs another Bhutto to regain strength and get Kashmir issue resolved.
What is your take on boycott movement by pro-freedom politicians?
Sometime back, I had written an open letter to United Jihad Council chief Syed Salauhudin over the same issue, which was published by local English Daily. I maintained that as per United Nations resolutions elections have no bearing on Kashmir dispute. Even if 100 percent people vote it will still have no bearing on disputed character of Kashmir.
So you believe time has come to delink Kashmir issue from elections?
Yes, definitely time has come to delink Kashmir dispute from elections. When even former Chief Minister States that these governments are temporary arrangements for providing basic amenities to people and since 1947, 24 seats are lying vacant for Pakistan Administrated Kashmir and Gilgit region in the Assembly and its quorum is not complete, so by all pragmatics elections have nothing to do with Kashmir issue.
How do you view the role of youth in Kashmir’s pro-freedom movement?
Children and youth have a great role to play in the freedom movement of Kashmir as GB Shaw stated that Child is father of man. We can gauge from this how much important our children and youth are to Kashmir movement. The visionless leadership during mass peaceful uprisings of 2008 and 2010 failed to give a direction to emotions and energies of youth. Youth of Kashmir on their part displayed great valour, sentiments and sacrifices, but incapable and visionless leadership failed them.
Why don’t you stress that the bodies like WAKF improve their working?
I am more linked to Kashmir dispute related paradigms, but yes you raised an important question as WAKF is our own. There should be separate ministry for WAKF as it has failed despite getting huge public donations. In outside States, WAKF even gives land for graveyard. We are urging to improve its working and it should work on philanthropic front.
Whenever there is serious talk on Kashmir, separatists are sidelined?
We act as beggars demanding our inclusion in these talks. We need to be proactive and bring to fore that India and Pakistan are just aspirants whiles we are the core party of Kashmir dispute. Kashmir is ours and we will decide its fate.
Are you surprised about the fact that PDP has entered into alliance with BJP?
More than a decade back in my book Titled –“The Great Disclosures Unmasked” I had written extensively that PDP is creation and brainchild of Sangh Parivar. The healing touch slogan was also part of that policy; they cannot deceive mature voices by deception of green handkerchief.
Do you believe that Modi lead government has been tough on pro-freedom leadership?
Yes, definitely. Modi lead Government has been tough on resistance leadership. But as it is said every action has equal and opposite reaction. The tough attitude of Modi Government has resulted in lending new lease of energy to Kashmir dispute and highlighted our sufferings as we have received more global attention.
Another viewpoint that has emerged has been that Pro-freedom leadership kiths and Kins are enjoying quality study and jobs, while others are suffering .Your take?
I completely agree with this criticism. Look if we cannot appeal to our sons, brothers and other near and dear ones to be part of struggle than the message reaches out that we are using others. I would in this interview share a special appeal to our some leaders that they should ask their children to leave government jobs. We as a nation cannot blow hot and cold in one breath. My entire family and relations have been barred from government jobs.
Even what is more painful that our leaders of the movement have their sons in the government job and it is allowing people to create negative perceptions about our leadership. We should also as nation boycott the army recruitment as it lends legitimacy to Indian army even same was opined by Arundhati Roy in 2010 that she was shocked to see huge queues for recruitment in army in Kashmir.
You have made several startling disclosures in your book, “The Great Disclosures: Secrets Unmasked”. What are the grounds for such disclosures?
Prior to this book, I have authored a booklet entitled ‘Realities Behind Kashmir Problem’. I wrote ‘The Great Disclosures’ after thoroughly studying the history on undivided India, ever since the commencement of British Rule over the subcontinent. Some friends of mine from the valley, Pakistan, India and Muzafferabad and Great Britain, provided me with reliable and unpublished information about the designs and plans of various agencies with regard to Kashmir issue. The sensational disclosures made by prominent and reliable political personalities, during their interviews on Kashmir problem and Indo- Pak relations are also inputs. Besides I got a portion of the raw material for my book during my trip to Pakistan, as several important personalities provided me the information on the condition of anonymity. I personally interviewed several personalities and got access to diaries of General Ayub Khan and Tika Khan. The Great Disclosures (Secrets Unmasked) was a Charge-sheet on behalf of humanity to unmask the politicians of this subcontinent in particular.
What is the future of pro-freedom leadership in Kashmir?
In coming times, it is going to be battle of ideas and the deadwood would be automatically weeded out.
