Washington (PR) President Farooq Ahmed of the Kashmir Global Council has emphasized the severe consequences of distorting historical facts, stating that such manipulations adversely affect future generations.
In a recent seminar on the Kashmir issue, Farooq Ahmed highlighted the historical injustices faced by the Kashmiri nation, including the imposition of misleading theories and the impact of propaganda, which have deprived them of basic human rights. Further, Farooq Ahmed underscored Kashmir’s unique culture and history, spanning 500 years, noting that the Kashmiri identity has never been subjected to prolonged external dominance.
He stressed the importance of preserving an accurate historical narrative, warning that state-driven distortions create significant problems. For centuries, Kashmir has been a diverse region, encompassing various races and religions, and serving as a cultural melting pot for Central Asia and beyond.
Moreover, Farooq Ahmed said that external powers have never maintained long-term control over Kashmir. He emphasized the concept of “Kashmiriyat,” central to the Kashmiri identity, which is distinct from British India, as the region was governed by Maharajas prior to the 1947 partition. He recounted how Sheikh Abdullah politicized the Kashmir cause.
This movement, however, he said it was complicated by external interventions and the subsequent Indian occupation in Jammu and Kashmir. However, he said that these interventions have divided kashmir into two states, and the worse is that the United Nations delayed a promised plebiscite in the region.
President Kashmir Global Forum called for the right to self-determination for Kashmiris and advocated for the creation of an autonomous state of Jammu and Kashmir to achieve lasting peace. Meanwhile, he accused India of imposing its narrative and suppressing Kashmiri rights.