Senator Mushahid Hussain Explains China’s Kashmir Stand

Roots of Kashmiri Resistance

Sheikh Abdul Mateen, in his address at the Kashmir Youth Conference, recalled how young Kashmiris like Masarat Alam Butt joined the movement due to growing state pressure and daily oppression. He noted that Alam became an active worker of the Muslim League Jammu Kashmir and faced arrest under the Public Safety Act in 1990. After years in prison, Alam rose to the position of General Secretary in 1998, showing the depth of Kashmiri resolve. Mateen praised his long struggle and said that such leaders represent the true voice of the Kashmiri people, which India continues to silence.

♦ Early Repression and Youth Mobilization: Masarat Alam’s early involvement shows how India’s harsh rule pushed Kashmir’s youth into political struggle.

♦ Arrests Under Harsh Laws: His repeated arrests under the Public Safety Act expose India’s policy of crushing political workers instead of hearing their demands.

♦ Growth of Leadership: His rise to higher positions proves that India has failed to weaken the resistance despite long years of detention.

The Influence of Syed Ali Shah Geelani and the Line of Leadership

Mateen underlined that Masarat Alam adopted the ideas of Syed Ali Shah Geelani and followed a path based on principles and discipline. He reminded the audience that Geelani declared Alam his successor in 2006, and that Alam later became the acting chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference. These decisions strengthened the structure of the movement and showed a clear transfer of leadership. India responded to this unity with even more arrests, proving its fear of organized political leadership in Kashmir.

♦ Continuity of Ideology: The link between Geelani and Alam reflects a steady movement that India has failed to break through force.

♦ India’s Fear of Unity: The Indian government increased detentions whenever Kashmiri leaders showed unity or gained public support.

♦ Commitment to Principles: This leadership based on principles exposes the hollowness of India’s claims of “normalcy” in the region.

The 2008 Amarnath Land Agitation and Public Uprising

Mateen pointed out that Masarat Alam played a major role in the 2008 Amarnath Land Agitation, bringing hundreds of thousands of Kashmiris onto the streets. This public uprising marked a turning point, as it showed that the people rejected India’s attempts to alter Kashmir’s land rights. The agitation became one of the largest peaceful protests in the region’s history. India responded with violence, which further damaged its international image.

♦ Mass Public Response: The huge crowds proved that Kashmiris openly rejected India’s administrative decisions.

♦ India’s Violent Reaction: The harsh crackdown showed India’s refusal to accept peaceful democratic expression.

♦ A Major Political Turning Point: The agitation demonstrated that the resistance was not limited to leaders alone but belonged to the entire Kashmiri population.

Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed Discusses China’s Support

Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed stated in his speech that China has openly supported Pakistan on the Kashmir issue and rejected India’s claims on Arunachal Pradesh. He said this stance clearly shows that India’s expansionist behaviour is noticed globally. China’s backing puts pressure on India and challenges its false narrative on Kashmir. Mushahid stressed that Beijing’s position strengthens Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts.

♦ China Rejects Indian Claims: China’s clear rejection exposes India’s weak territorial claims.

♦ Global Pressure on India: China’s support shows that the world does not accept India’s narrative on Kashmir.

♦ A Diplomatic Advantage for Pakistan: This alignment strengthens Pakistan’s stand against Indian occupation.

Water Disputes and China’s Strategic Projects

Mushahid noted that China plans to build a major dam on the Brahmaputra River, which directly affects the water balance shared between Pakistan and India. He said India has long used water as a political tool, creating pressure on Pakistan. China’s involvement now limits India’s ability to control regional water flow. This shift further challenges India’s dominance in South Asia.

♦ India’s Use of Water as Pressure: India has repeatedly tried to use water distribution as political leverage.

♦ China’s Role as a Balancing Force: Chinese projects restrict India’s control over shared rivers.

♦ New Regional Dynamics: India’s long-standing advantage on water issues is weakening.

Linking Kashmir and Palestine in Global Opinion

Senator Mushahid argued that Kashmir and Palestine should be presented together in international forums because both involve Muslim populations facing occupation. He said demographic changes, displacement, and daily violence connect the two struggles. Presenting them jointly strengthens global awareness and puts pressure on India. This strategy highlights that India’s actions in Kashmir are part of a wider pattern of oppression.

♦ Shared Patterns of Oppression: Both regions face attempts to change local demographics through force.

♦ Stronger International Impact: Linking the two causes increases global attention and moral pressure.

♦ Exposing India’s Actions: India’s behaviour in Kashmir becomes clearer when seen in this wider context.

Political Clarity for Azad Kashmir and Regional Change

Mushahid stressed that Azad Kashmir should not mix its internal politics with Pakistan’s politics, as its main duty is to support the freedom of occupied Kashmir. He noted that India’s creation of political parties inside occupied Kashmir is meant to weaken the real movement. He also said that public power and resistance have brought major political changes in South Asia, as seen in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. This proves that people’s movements can defeat oppression, and India will not be able to suppress Kashmir forever.

♦ Purpose of Azad Kashmir: Its role is linked to the freedom of occupied Kashmir, not internal political battles.

♦ India’s Political Manipulation: India forms artificial parties in Kashmir to weaken the genuine resistance.

♦ Power of Public Movements: South Asian history shows that people eventually defeat unjust rulers.