Commemorating the Legacy of Mohammad Maqbool Butt: A Call for Kashmir’s Liberation

The Kashmiri-American community gathered to honour the 40th death anniversary of Mohammad Maqbool Butt, a revered Kashmiri leader who sacrificed his life for the cause of liberating Jammu and Kashmir from India’s occupation. In a Washington restaurant, speakers paid tribute to Butt’s legacy, expressing a renewed determination to fulfil his dream of Kashmir’s freedom.

Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai, Chairman of the ‘World Forum for Peace & Justice,’ led the tributes, describing Maqbool Butt as a selfless and inspirational leader. Fai highlighted Butt’s commitment to the cause, emphasizing that even before his unjust hanging in Tihar jail, Butt left behind a will urging the continuation of the freedom struggle. Fai noted that the entire nation of Kashmir is now following in Butt’s footsteps.

The Jammu and Kashmir Liberation (JKLF) chief, Mohammad Yasin Malik, incarcerated in Tihar jail, was seen as embodying Maqbool Butt’s legacy. Dr. Fai commended Malik’s commitment to democratic principles and his nonviolent approach, which has gained widespread support from the Western world. Malik, according to Fai, demonstrates immense courage and resilience in advocating for the rights of the Kashmiri people through peaceful means.

Dr Imtiaz Khan, a professor at George Washington University Medical Center, praised Maqbool Butt as a political warrior with the foresight to discern the Indian establishment’s intentions towards Kashmir. Khan highlighted Butt’s understanding that India’s commitments to international organizations were deceptive. Despite attempts to deceive Kashmiri leaders on the issue of self-determination, Butt’s unwavering dedication kept the flame of freedom alive, frustrating Indian occupation forces.

The martyrdom of Maqbool Butt gave rise to a new generation of freedom fighters, including Ashfaq Majid, Abdul Hamid Bhat, Afzal Guru, and Yasin Malik, who bravely confronted the forces of occupation. Sardar Zarif Khan, Advisor to the President of Azad Kashmir, emphasized that Butt’s vision for a free and fair Kashmiri self-determination persists, as he gave his life for a cause he genuinely believed in.

Sardar Zubair Khan, leader of the Kashmiri-American Welfare Association (KAWA), hailed Maqbool Butt as an inspiration to millions, emphasizing that despite the odds, the people of Kashmir have not lost hope in the right of self-determination. Hamid Malik and other Kashmiri activists joined in paying tributes, collectively recognizing Maqbool Butt as an exemplary leader.

In commemorating Maqbool Butt’s legacy, the Kashmiri-American community reaffirms its commitment to realizing his dream of a liberated Jammu and Kashmir, echoing the enduring spirit of those who have sacrificed their lives for the cause of freedom.