Yes, it is official; two groups of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front which at time of split in 1996 accused each other of working against the interests of an independent Jammu and Kashmir have tied the 'golden knot' and have become one. Congratulations to all who still hope that the JKLF will lead them to independence, as no one can impose any restrictions on dreams.

Many Kashmir watchers, however, believe that the JKLF has seen its peak and is out of step with ground realities and especially with geo-political situation of the world and international obligations and stark realities that face the post 9/11 world. They feel the top JKLF leaders are directionless and are incapable of formulating such policies that can bring back the past glory.

These JKLF leaders, in view of some experts, lack wisdom, perhaps sincerity and team with skills, know - how and dedication to unite all groups of the JKLF; and leading people of Jammu and Kashmir to independence is beyond their capability, as people have diverse views and are perhaps politically more mature than the JKLF leaders.

It is widely believed by true nationalist political parties that the JKLF during its heydays was hand in glove with secret agencies, and was promoting such policies that were formulated by non Kashmiris.

 These policies were designed to communalise the Kashmiri polity, kill non Muslims and drive them out of the Valley to make it a 'Muslim struggle' rather than a Kashmiri struggle.

Furthermore, key element of this strategy was to 'liberate' Jammu and Kashmir under the Indian occupation and only pay lip service to plight of the people under Pakistani occupation by containing the 'struggle' on the Indian side of the LOC.  People have right to question if this is a new game plan to serve those the JKLF groups have served in the past, especially when these groups are infested with people who take pride in working with secret agencies.

In mid 1990s, to Amanullah Khan and his followers Yasin Malik was a 'RAW agent' released from prison to sabotage to JKLF struggle. Conversely, Yasin Malik and his followers thought Amanullah Khan was an 'ISI agent' who damaged the JKLF with his unconstitutional blunders which took place from time to time.

It was during this time, in frustration and anger Amanullah Khan while commenting on the split of the JKLF associated with Yasin Malik, alleged to have said: "My one arm was seriously affected with cancer and there was no cure for it, so I cut it off to save the JKLF". Thank Allah, hard work of surgeons in Islamabad has performed a miracle; and they have stitched back this 'cancer affected arm' after curing the disease. Let us hope that the 'arm' or some other part is not contaminated by the cancer treatment which often happens; and there are no side affects.

Even before the official announcement of 6 October 2011, I had a lengthy chat with a leader of one group of JKLF which is not part of this unity. We worked as a team in the JKLF and developed very serious differences. We opposed each other and worked against each other, but after years of antagonism we sat down to discuss issues related to the JKLF and the Kashmiri struggle. He admired my skills and dedication; and added that in his opinion and opinion of his friends I have only strayed by 5 to 10% and we can still work together. He asked me and Abbas Butt to consider coming back to the JKLF fold.

I thanked him for this offer and politely said that the JKLF is still stuck in 1990s era, but the world and the Kashmiri struggle has moved on; and so have we. Also I had a little chat with Amanullah Khan few days before this announcement. He wanted to know my comments about the unity of the JKLF. I gave him my honest opinion; and also told him about the above conversation. He was not happy with what I said, but honest opinion is not given to make others happy.

 Some old members of the JKLF who worked under my leadership in Britain until July 1992, and who admired my work for the JKLF; and felt even at that time that I was wrongly treated by Amanullah Khan, contacted me. They were happy with the unity, and general 'amnesty' for all former JKLF people to come back and strengthen the JKLF.

Apart from that many non-Kashmiris and non-JKLF people have also asked my opinion about this unity. I told them that I was busy with my new book and won't have time for some days. Some urged me to join the JKLF; others thought it was a non starter and some people have made news of this event which will keep them alive for some time, but it won't have any impact on the Kashmiri struggle or the Kashmir dispute.

People still question if Amanullah Khan and Yasin Malik were sincere in unity then why they did not invite other JKLF groups? Even in the declaration they only urged Rauf Kashmiri, Chairman of one group of JKLF to abandon his group and join them; but completely ignored the other two groups known as Aftab Group and Bitta Karate or Farooq Dar Group. Does it mean Yasin Malik and Amanullah Khan do not regard them as JKLF Groups? Or is it because this JKLF group headed by Farooq Dar and Javed Mir have made political life difficult for Yasin Malik in the Valley; and Amanullah Khan and his colleagues don't like Aftab?

Both Yasin Malik and Amanullah Khan know political culture of Jammu and Kashmir that anyone who is expelled or forms a parallel group does not join unity talks or joins alliance unless requested to do so at the beginning of such talks. No body joins when two groups have concluded their talks and make public request to others to join, as that is just for public consumption and is to score political points against their political opponents.

In other words, despite his sincerity and dedication, it is very unlikely that Rauf Kashmiri will leave his post of Chairman, and join them as a member, even though they did not consult him and took him in confidence. One leader of JKLF said to me that he is '100% sure that Rauf Kashmiri will not join them the way he was ignored by Yasin Malik when he (Rauf Kashmir) was in Indian Prison, and how he was treated by Amanullah Khan after his release'.

It is also very unlikely that former leaders and members of the JKLF will rush to join this new JKLF when they know how these leaders damaged to the JKLF and its ideology by aligning themselves with the secret agencies. One former JKLF colleague said, 'They are selling old wine in new bottle - old policies with a new wrapping, I am not interested. We know their old policy and old strategy which was formulated in offices of Aab Para (reference to ISI Head Quarters in Islamabad) unknowingly I also promoted that policy, but I don't want to commit the same mistake again'.

Depending on know how, and political maturity and political allegiance, people will continue to talk about this unity as another ISI ploy or a sincere effort of two leaders to put past behind them and move forward. However, one thing is clear that Amanullah Khan has come out shining in this whole matter. He has played his political inning wisely and created this impression that he was in control of everything in relation to the JKLF and the Kashmiri struggle when in reality he was not.

Now towards the end of his political inning he has hit a big shot. In the past people accused him for committing blunders and dividing the JKLF and the movement; now he can take credit for uniting at least two groups of the JKLF. He has asked forgiveness from those he might have treated wrongly; and has forgiven those who might have done something wrong to him. He always ensured that he had total control over the JKLF either under one title or the other; and that his Central Committee consists of either 'yes men' or those who are politically weak or politically immature. Anyone who did not fit the above criteria was expelled with some allegations.

I honestly believe that he committed many blunders, damaged the JKLF and the Kashmiri struggle for independence; and treated me and many others unfairly. He has asked for forgiveness, very nice of him, and I wholeheartedly forgive him for injustice or wrong he did to me. However, should he be not seeking forgiveness from the nation and especially from those who suffered and died as a result of his stubbornness and wrong policies executed to safeguard him and to promote a non JKLF agenda?

Writer is a leader of Kashmir National Party, political analyst and author of many books and booklets. Also he is Director Institute of Kashmir Affairs. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The ancient history of Jammu Kashmir notwithstanding, we claim to be in political struggle for its complete independence, freedom and prosperity only of that Jammu Kashmir which was ruled by Maharaja Hari Singh with the area of 84471 sq. miles. He, the ruler of Jammu Kashmir, maintained its unification, solidarity and identity with sheer force and not because of wishes of the people. However, he enjoyed the support of British govt. in India for he was owner of the state. Whatever his political, economic and social agenda, and the way he maintained its identity, all was based on despotism. Despite the fact, we claim and struggle to inherit the entire state under him, which should be independent, too. It means we are stuck to same angle where we left in 1947. Whereas there is a lot of difference between the objective conditions of then and now. Obviously, we need to change our outlook and the line of thought according to the laws of objectivity. We also need to face the reality. The unification, solidarity and identity of Jammu Kashmir under its ruler till 1947 was due to his peculiar rule, which has been disturbed and disrupted due to the interference of friends and foes and is not the same now. Now it is a divided state - divided into so many parts. Some call it 3 units: (1) Indian-Administered-Jammu Kashmir (IAJK), (2) Pakistan-Administered-Jammu Kashmir (PAJK) and (3) Gilgit-Baltistan (GB); and some others divide it into 5 units: (1) PAJK, (2) GB, (3) Jammu, (4) Valley of Kashmir and (5) Laddakh. This neo-slavery is post-1947 scenario in which all the units intend to guard their identity jealously and have a lot of reservations against each other, which could not be set aside in a united Jammu Kashmir in the same old shape as it is a multi-national and multi-religious country. Some count nationalities up to 8 and some others consider it a land of 9 nationalities with different geographical and historical background; which can not be made a part of 2-nation theory as some are trying to do without any rhyme and reason by ignoring the secular basis of the erstwhile state. Although, Jammu Kashmir was under one man's despotic rule, yet its secularism played key role in keeping all the units united and all the religions - Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and Bhudds etc.

These secular basis had a long history behind them, which kept the state united in addition to the weapon of despotism, which was not the exclusive cementing factor. We have been enduring one cruelty and oppression after the other, which we took as our success and celebrated it. The gradual erosion of our secular values is one such example. Was it not a cruelty, oppression and exploitation that a movement was started in the name of liberation in 1988, which only remained confined in Valley of Kashmir and all other units like Jammu, Laddakh, GB and PAJK remained totally unconcerned and irrelevant. If our secular basis would have remained intact all the other units besides Valley would have also participated in the said `liberation movement'. Now some imprudent and immature pillars of that movement claim to go for unity, but complain they are not being recognized and admitted as genuine crusaders, rather are being discouraged and disappointed. They do not know perhaps that they are being led to this pass by the same forces who had split and divided them. The fact is that consciously or unconsciously they are being exploited and used for other purposes than their freedom by the forces who have their own axe to grind. We claim to struggle for independence, freedom and prosperity, but do not know what would be our political, economic and social programme; neither we know which particular political party is equipped and armed with such a comprehensive programme. We shall have to face the ground realities dispassionately, for even if we are handed over whole the Jammu Kashmir of despotic era as was on 14/15 Aug, 47, we shall not be able to maintain its unity. Jammu Kashmir, being contiguous to 3 big neighbours, India, China and Pakistan, has its own importance. Despite hetrogenous structure of society on the basis of culture, colour, creed and race, people have been living peacefully since centuries due to the depth of secularism. 400 years old and 64 years new slavery notwithstanding, the people of all the different units of Jammu Kashmir are still impatient to be politically one with each other. Jammu Kashmir dispute was created when Pakistan had violated `stand still agreement' signed by her with the ruler of Jammu Kashmir on 15th Aug, 47, and attacked on Valley of Kashmir through `tribal lashkars' in the 3rd week of Oct, 47. The ruler of Jammu Kashmir then fled to Jammu, requested India to accept accession of his state with her and an agreement of accession was signed on 26th Oct, 47. This is how Jammu Kashmir was divided between India and Pakistan. Since then, India on the basis of same agreement and Pakistan on the basis of Muslim majority, have been making exclusive claim over Kashmir, imposed wars on each other many times and have been violating the promise of self-determination to the people of Jammu Kashmir. In the same vein, India calls it her part and parcel and Pakistan her life-line. 

In the process, both the countries have created and sponsored an army of cronies (who claim to be politicians) to confuse the real concept of freedom and revolution. Not finding the natural outlet the genuine political workers and politicians started a popular resistance movement in early 60's. Soon after launching the movement, its leader, late Maqbool Butt (Shaheed), was hanged and became famous. Some forces planned to hi-jake that popular movement through a sponsored leadership and created controlled militancy in the name of freedom, which coloured and converted liberation movement into a fundamentalist movement and thus complicated the case further. It makes it imperative to seek solution of the problem not in the light of 1947, but according to objective and global situation of 2011, where all the nationalities shall have to accept each others rights. I shall talk of only 5 units of neo-slavery era instead of 8/9 nationalities. It means Jammu Kashmir which is divided into 5 units should get complete autonomy. Each unit should be free to deal with India and Pakistan including in the matter of trade in its own interest. It would end the feelings of artificial insecurity and uncertainty among the people of all the units and they would feel satisfied with the right of local-self-govt when they could spend all their resources on themselves. They will also get rid of fear and gain confidence. Political splits will give way to confident national concepts. All the 5 units of Jammu Kashmir should agree on a confederation and form a national confederal council on equal basis with 4 subjects - foreign affairs, defense, currency and communication; which should form a united states of Jammu Kashmir to create harmony among the units in the political, economic and social fields. 

This is how they would be prevented from exploiting each other. The currency of India and Pakistan has been being used in various parts of Jammu Kashmir for the last 64 years, which should be continued in a balanced way. There is every possibility that a `SAARC Union' like `European Union' comes into being in a few years time with one currency, and we shall like to be part of it. Even if it is not possible, our full independence may take time, which is necessary to decide the issue of our currency. 

The defense of Jammu Kashmir should remain in the common custody of India, Pakistan and the people of Jammu Kashmir for about 15/20 years after which it should be handed over to the confederal council. The immediate exit of Indian and Pakistani forces won't be feasible for it may create many problems.

Otherwise, the bands of extremists created by ourselves may occupy the entire scene to rough it up like `Talibans' of yore. Who will stop them?

As for as the demands of the modern age, we can live together only if accept each other's political, economic and social rights. Otherwise our out-moded perceptions won't help us in any way. That is why a confederation and a confederal council above it with equal representation of all the units, not any force, is the need of the hour; which could maintain Jammu Kashmir's unity and solidarity. When all the units feel secured and would believe that none could exploit them and snatch away their rights, they would be satisfied with each other. When all the units are owner of their all the resources, they

shall certainly guard their unity and a `united state of Jammu Kashmir'can emerge as an historical entity. When all the units are

confident by having their material resources in their own possession,they shall work for the realization of a dream of `United Jammu Kashmir'.