Why do Kashmiris Observe August 15th as Black Day?
Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai
Washington, D.C. August 18: The people of Jammu and Kashmir on both sides of the cease-fire line and worldwide observed the 69th anniversary of India’s Independence Day as a Black Day because of India’s failure to honour its pledges that it has given to the people of Jammu and Kashmir at the United Nations. This year, the Kashmiri leadership had summoned all Kashmiris all over the world to demonstrate on August 15th, as a symbol of their unity and harmony. Their unity in mourning demonstrated their will to resist India’s illegal occupation and defiance of the United Nations Security Council resolutions mandating a self-determination plebiscite for the 18 million people of Jammu and Kashmir. »
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Washington, D.C. August 18: The people of Jammu and Kashmir on both sides of the cease-fire line and worldwide observed the 69th anniversary of India’s Independence Day as a Black Day because of India’s failure to honour its pledges that it has given to the people of Jammu and Kashmir at the United Nations. This year, the Kashmiri leadership had summoned all Kashmiris all over the world to demonstrate on August 15th, as a symbol of their unity and harmony. Their unity in mourning demonstrated their will to resist India’s illegal occupation and defiance of the United Nations Security Council resolutions mandating a self-determination plebiscite for the 18 million people of Jammu and Kashmir. »
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19th July is of special significance in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. On this day in 1947, genuine representatives of majority of Kashmiris passed the resolution of Kashmir’s accession to Pakistan. The resolution reflected the aspirations of the majority of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Every year the day is celebrated by Kashmiris living on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) and Pakistan. The Muslims of Kashmir took this decision of accession to Pakistan to protect their religious, economic and political rights. »Read More... | Comment
Christine Mehta
In an exclusive first-person account to The Hindu, Christine Mehta recalls how she was forced to leave India ostensibly for her scathing report on the draconian AFSPA in Jammu and Kashmir
On Friday, November 8, 2014, as I was leaving my house in Bengaluru with a friend, three police officers approached us. I knew why they were there. The night before, I had received a mysterious phone call from the Foreigner Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Bengaluru. »
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In an exclusive first-person account to The Hindu, Christine Mehta recalls how she was forced to leave India ostensibly for her scathing report on the draconian AFSPA in Jammu and Kashmir
On Friday, November 8, 2014, as I was leaving my house in Bengaluru with a friend, three police officers approached us. I knew why they were there. The night before, I had received a mysterious phone call from the Foreigner Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Bengaluru. »
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Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai
Washington, June 30, 2015 (KMS): While the international community looks the other way when targeted assassinations occur elsewhere around the globe, it is hardly surprising that we should see this going on in a country so highly disputed as Kashmir. Even more so, where there has been continued resistance to occupation and to many years of disappearances, killings, rapes and terrorism, it is almost a cliché to take note of repeat performances of this insidious war upon the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Certainly we could not expect such a low standard that disrespects human rights and national sovereignty to escape notice by actors who have long had a habit of engaging in such terror. »
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Washington, June 30, 2015 (KMS): While the international community looks the other way when targeted assassinations occur elsewhere around the globe, it is hardly surprising that we should see this going on in a country so highly disputed as Kashmir. Even more so, where there has been continued resistance to occupation and to many years of disappearances, killings, rapes and terrorism, it is almost a cliché to take note of repeat performances of this insidious war upon the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Certainly we could not expect such a low standard that disrespects human rights and national sovereignty to escape notice by actors who have long had a habit of engaging in such terror. »
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Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai
After a meeting Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had in Delhi on Tuesday, April 7, 2015, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh, official statements from the Indian government indicate that the CM had assured Modi that the state government intends to acquire and provide land for creating composite townships for displaced Kashmiri Pandits.
The Government of India has earmarked in the budget for 2015-16 Rs 580 crore ($100 million) to rehabilitate the Kashmiri Pandit migrants. A plan apparently being discussed is to create a separate “homeland” for Pandits. It is described as a “composite township”, a technical term, apparently whose meaning still needs clarification. »
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After a meeting Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had in Delhi on Tuesday, April 7, 2015, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh, official statements from the Indian government indicate that the CM had assured Modi that the state government intends to acquire and provide land for creating composite townships for displaced Kashmiri Pandits.
The Government of India has earmarked in the budget for 2015-16 Rs 580 crore ($100 million) to rehabilitate the Kashmiri Pandit migrants. A plan apparently being discussed is to create a separate “homeland” for Pandits. It is described as a “composite township”, a technical term, apparently whose meaning still needs clarification. »
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Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai
“All of us remain concerned that the issue of Jammu and Kashmir should be solved through peaceful negotiations and should be willing to lend all the strength we have to the resolution of this matter.” President Nelson Mandela at the NAM Summit – September 2, 1998.
In matters of international conflict resolution, that can only imply the involvement of a third party mediator or facilitator. If Ashok and Ahmad can’t put Humpty Dumpty back together because they can’t agree on where the pieces go, then Sam, a specialist in eggshell reconstruction, should be called upon in order for differences to be resolved. »
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“All of us remain concerned that the issue of Jammu and Kashmir should be solved through peaceful negotiations and should be willing to lend all the strength we have to the resolution of this matter.” President Nelson Mandela at the NAM Summit – September 2, 1998.
In matters of international conflict resolution, that can only imply the involvement of a third party mediator or facilitator. If Ashok and Ahmad can’t put Humpty Dumpty back together because they can’t agree on where the pieces go, then Sam, a specialist in eggshell reconstruction, should be called upon in order for differences to be resolved. »
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Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai
The people of Jammu and Kashmir, who are larger in number than 123 currently independent nations and who have a defined historical identity, are at present engaged in a massive, indigenous and non violent struggle to win their freedom from the foreign occupation of their land. This struggle is not motivated by bigotry or ethnic prejudice, for its sole aim is the right of self-determination of the people, irrespective of their religious affiliations and ethnic preferences. »
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The people of Jammu and Kashmir, who are larger in number than 123 currently independent nations and who have a defined historical identity, are at present engaged in a massive, indigenous and non violent struggle to win their freedom from the foreign occupation of their land. This struggle is not motivated by bigotry or ethnic prejudice, for its sole aim is the right of self-determination of the people, irrespective of their religious affiliations and ethnic preferences. »
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Muhammad Raza Malik
Kashmiris have been rendering unparalleled sacrifices since 1947 in their indigenous struggle to get freedom from the illegal occupation of India. During all this period, Pakistan is the only country of the world that has extended all-out support to the just cause of the Kashmiri people. The government and people of Pakistan, at home and across the world, observe the Kashmir Solidarity Day on 5th February, every year, to reaffirm the pledge to continue their support to their Kashmiri brethren who are carrying on a peaceful struggle to achieve their inalienable right to self-determination promised to them by the international community including India. »
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Kashmiris have been rendering unparalleled sacrifices since 1947 in their indigenous struggle to get freedom from the illegal occupation of India. During all this period, Pakistan is the only country of the world that has extended all-out support to the just cause of the Kashmiri people. The government and people of Pakistan, at home and across the world, observe the Kashmir Solidarity Day on 5th February, every year, to reaffirm the pledge to continue their support to their Kashmiri brethren who are carrying on a peaceful struggle to achieve their inalienable right to self-determination promised to them by the international community including India. »
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Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai
(Part II)
Ultimately the referendum in Scotland was held in a peaceful manner, and the people decided according to their own free will not to be an independent nation. This was undoubtedly a victory for democratic principles and universal values. The people of Kashmir do not want anything more than that. They want the same principle to be equally applicable to Kashmir. Let the people decide. »
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(Part II)
Ultimately the referendum in Scotland was held in a peaceful manner, and the people decided according to their own free will not to be an independent nation. This was undoubtedly a victory for democratic principles and universal values. The people of Kashmir do not want anything more than that. They want the same principle to be equally applicable to Kashmir. Let the people decide. »
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Dr. Muhhamad Qasim
A government under an illegitimate occupation is always illegitimate and therefore it is hardly of any consequence to the Pro Freedom leadership whether PDP ties the knot with Congress or BJP. The Pro Freedom leadership and The Muslims of J& K should understand that when it comes to Kashmir, Congress and BJP are always on the same page. These Indian parties have always stood united against the aspirations of the Kashmiri masses. Congress is responsible for the illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir, the abrogation of the so called Internal autonomy, breaking down Pakistan and the pitiable condition of 22 crore Muslim in India. Babri Masjid was brought down by the right wing Hindu extremists of BJP under the patronage of Congress government. »
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A government under an illegitimate occupation is always illegitimate and therefore it is hardly of any consequence to the Pro Freedom leadership whether PDP ties the knot with Congress or BJP. The Pro Freedom leadership and The Muslims of J& K should understand that when it comes to Kashmir, Congress and BJP are always on the same page. These Indian parties have always stood united against the aspirations of the Kashmiri masses. Congress is responsible for the illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir, the abrogation of the so called Internal autonomy, breaking down Pakistan and the pitiable condition of 22 crore Muslim in India. Babri Masjid was brought down by the right wing Hindu extremists of BJP under the patronage of Congress government. »
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(Part I)
Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai
January 3, 2015: It is nothing less than astounding that intelligent men who are charged with the responsibility of leading a country cannot comprehend that spending billions of dollars to maintain possession of a very small disputed territory to its north with millions of troops at the expense of their own national quality of life makes any sense at all. »
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Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai
January 3, 2015: It is nothing less than astounding that intelligent men who are charged with the responsibility of leading a country cannot comprehend that spending billions of dollars to maintain possession of a very small disputed territory to its north with millions of troops at the expense of their own national quality of life makes any sense at all. »
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Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai
The enlightening and informative article, ‘SAARC summit and the Kashmir problem’ written by a seasoned Saudi diplomat, Dr Ali Al-Ghamdi (Saudi Gazette, December 3, 2014) needs some observations from a Kashmiri perspective. I totally agree with Dr Al-Ghamdi that “it is high time for the leaders of both countries (India and Pakistan) to take bold and serious decisions to resolve this dispute. It is impossible for the region to enjoy peace and security without solving the Kashmir problem.” »
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The enlightening and informative article, ‘SAARC summit and the Kashmir problem’ written by a seasoned Saudi diplomat, Dr Ali Al-Ghamdi (Saudi Gazette, December 3, 2014) needs some observations from a Kashmiri perspective. I totally agree with Dr Al-Ghamdi that “it is high time for the leaders of both countries (India and Pakistan) to take bold and serious decisions to resolve this dispute. It is impossible for the region to enjoy peace and security without solving the Kashmir problem.” »
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Kashmir: Restoring the Vision
Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai
There is something very high schoolish and unsophisticated about the barbs and threats being traded between Pakistan and India, where fully grown men given the responsibility to manage nations shout at one another like two boys in a park squabbling over some Barbie Doll standing on the sidelines, who invariably has a look of disgust on her face. Think Kashmir. Yes, there have been two wars between the two over Kashmir, but too much is at stake. The statesmanship dictates that neither of these two countries should go to war, not nuclear war, because that might prove devastating to both countries. But they’ve got to beat their chests, behaving as though they’ve got something to prove. »
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There is something very high schoolish and unsophisticated about the barbs and threats being traded between Pakistan and India, where fully grown men given the responsibility to manage nations shout at one another like two boys in a park squabbling over some Barbie Doll standing on the sidelines, who invariably has a look of disgust on her face. Think Kashmir. Yes, there have been two wars between the two over Kashmir, but too much is at stake. The statesmanship dictates that neither of these two countries should go to war, not nuclear war, because that might prove devastating to both countries. But they’ve got to beat their chests, behaving as though they’ve got something to prove. »
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Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai
“Whatever the (Indian) Government spokesman might have said before, or may say now, there has never been a free and fair election in the State of Jammu and Kashmir.” Jayaprakash Narayan, ‘India’s Conscience-Keeper.’
Hope and change the Modi way seems to have taken in the majority of India’s voters since he was elected in May, 2014 but his message to the flood-ravaged people of Kashmir has so far been less than palatable. History has proven that candidates in the Himalayas are tall on promises but short on results, and the elections are invariably engineered to suit the status quo. This time is expected to be no different. »
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“Whatever the (Indian) Government spokesman might have said before, or may say now, there has never been a free and fair election in the State of Jammu and Kashmir.” Jayaprakash Narayan, ‘India’s Conscience-Keeper.’
Hope and change the Modi way seems to have taken in the majority of India’s voters since he was elected in May, 2014 but his message to the flood-ravaged people of Kashmir has so far been less than palatable. History has proven that candidates in the Himalayas are tall on promises but short on results, and the elections are invariably engineered to suit the status quo. This time is expected to be no different. »
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Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai
Once again, Kashmir is a living proof that it is not going to compromise, far less abandon, its demand for Azaadi (freedom) which is its birthright and for which it has paid a price in blood and suffering which has not been exacted from any other people of the South Asian subcontinent. Compared to the sacrifice Kashmir has had to endure, India and Pakistan themselves gained their freedom through a highly civilized process. »
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Once again, Kashmir is a living proof that it is not going to compromise, far less abandon, its demand for Azaadi (freedom) which is its birthright and for which it has paid a price in blood and suffering which has not been exacted from any other people of the South Asian subcontinent. Compared to the sacrifice Kashmir has had to endure, India and Pakistan themselves gained their freedom through a highly civilized process. »
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Muhammad Raza Malik
Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and across the globe observe October 27 as Black Day and consider it as the darkest day in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. This is the day when India landed its army in Srinagar, against the will of the Kashmiri people and in total disregard to the Indian Independence Act and Partition Plan in 1947. »
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Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and across the globe observe October 27 as Black Day and consider it as the darkest day in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. This is the day when India landed its army in Srinagar, against the will of the Kashmiri people and in total disregard to the Indian Independence Act and Partition Plan in 1947. »
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Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai
Oh let the sun beat down upon my face, stars to fill my dream / I am a traveler of both time and space, to be where I have been / To sit with elders of the gentle race, this world has seldom seen / They talk of days for which they sit and wait and all will be revealed…. –lyrics by Jimmy Page from the song Kashmir, performed by Led Zeppelin
Why, after 67 years of dispute, is the question of Kashmir, land of the “gentle race,” still lurking in the shadows of international relations, still unresolved, despite its seemingly relative unimportance to global interests in matters of resources and international trade? »
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Oh let the sun beat down upon my face, stars to fill my dream / I am a traveler of both time and space, to be where I have been / To sit with elders of the gentle race, this world has seldom seen / They talk of days for which they sit and wait and all will be revealed…. –lyrics by Jimmy Page from the song Kashmir, performed by Led Zeppelin
Why, after 67 years of dispute, is the question of Kashmir, land of the “gentle race,” still lurking in the shadows of international relations, still unresolved, despite its seemingly relative unimportance to global interests in matters of resources and international trade? »
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Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai
This flood was the first in history, in the living memory of Kashmir. More than 450 people are dead, and more than $1bn in destruction has been estimated. The actual magnitude of the total destruction, the number of dead and the people who are missing may not be known for some time. Kashmir Valley was cut off from the rest of the world for days. Thousands of villages have been submerged, including the capitol city of Srinagar. Hundreds of thousands of people particularly in the rural areas still remain trapped without any outside help or rescue and relief. There has been a total breakdown in communication with no telephone contact of the people with their loved ones Boats were not available. People had to stand on their rooftops waiting for someone to rescue them. »
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This flood was the first in history, in the living memory of Kashmir. More than 450 people are dead, and more than $1bn in destruction has been estimated. The actual magnitude of the total destruction, the number of dead and the people who are missing may not be known for some time. Kashmir Valley was cut off from the rest of the world for days. Thousands of villages have been submerged, including the capitol city of Srinagar. Hundreds of thousands of people particularly in the rural areas still remain trapped without any outside help or rescue and relief. There has been a total breakdown in communication with no telephone contact of the people with their loved ones Boats were not available. People had to stand on their rooftops waiting for someone to rescue them. »
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Indian troops have massacred thousands of innocent Kashmiri youth in staged gun battles dubbing them as militants. Besides, being an effective method to suppress the Kashmiri populace, the “fake encounter” as a policy has other motives also. First of all, considering Kashmiri youth as a potential threat to its illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir, India wants to eliminate them through such encounters. Secondly, through such killings, New Delhi intends to give an impression to the international community as if freedom movement is actually terrorism against India being sponsored by Pakistan. Whereas, every time it turns out to be a fabricated and concocted story just to malign Pakistan. »
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Nilofar Suhrawardy
DURING electioneering the popularity of political leaders is usually judged by the crowd they attract, opinion polls and media coverage. Their fate is, however, decided by voters on the day votes are cast.
A number of factors help form a voter’s opinion about a candidate or a political party. The revolution in the communication technology has made the Indian voter more informed about politics and various issues. Thus, irrespective of how aggressively politicians in electoral fray target each other, this does not imply that today’s voters can easily be taken for a ride by these political ploys.
Narendra Modi’s success is not going to be decided by his party, Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) willingness to apologize for Muslims targeted in the 2002 Gujarat pogrom. »
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DURING electioneering the popularity of political leaders is usually judged by the crowd they attract, opinion polls and media coverage. Their fate is, however, decided by voters on the day votes are cast.
A number of factors help form a voter’s opinion about a candidate or a political party. The revolution in the communication technology has made the Indian voter more informed about politics and various issues. Thus, irrespective of how aggressively politicians in electoral fray target each other, this does not imply that today’s voters can easily be taken for a ride by these political ploys.
Narendra Modi’s success is not going to be decided by his party, Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) willingness to apologize for Muslims targeted in the 2002 Gujarat pogrom. »
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K. Iqbal
Since coming into power, Pakistan’s new government is pursing the objective of peaceful neighbourhood. A number of initiatives are on the cards to improve relations with all neighbouring counties, especially India. In December 2013, a peace dossier was delivered to the Indian Prime Minister which proposed a comprehensive strategy for sustainable bilateral relations. It is expected that after the elections, the new Indian government will likely reciprocate. »
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Since coming into power, Pakistan’s new government is pursing the objective of peaceful neighbourhood. A number of initiatives are on the cards to improve relations with all neighbouring counties, especially India. In December 2013, a peace dossier was delivered to the Indian Prime Minister which proposed a comprehensive strategy for sustainable bilateral relations. It is expected that after the elections, the new Indian government will likely reciprocate. »
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The fact that rape has been systematically committed against Kashmiri women and that justice has not been delivered in these cases makes rape in Kashmir eligible for an appropriate legal response at the international level. The state has to be held for breach of its obligations under various relevant treaties and customary international law
The facts of the mass rape in village Kunan-Poshpora during the fateful night intervening 23rd and 24th of February, 1991 are fully in public domain now. In a cordon and search operation, which was very prevalent those days, the soldiers of 4th Rajputana Rifles ordered all the male members of the hamlet to come out of their homes for identification and interrogation, while asking the female members to stay put inside their houses. »
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The facts of the mass rape in village Kunan-Poshpora during the fateful night intervening 23rd and 24th of February, 1991 are fully in public domain now. In a cordon and search operation, which was very prevalent those days, the soldiers of 4th Rajputana Rifles ordered all the male members of the hamlet to come out of their homes for identification and interrogation, while asking the female members to stay put inside their houses. »
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Muhammad Raza Malik
The government and people of Pakistan, at home and abroad, observe the
Kashmir Solidarity Day on 5th February, every year, to renew the pledge to continue the unflinching support to the Kashmiri people who are carrying on a just struggle to achieve their inalienable right to self-determination. The observance of the day since 1991 is aimed at conveying a loud and clear message to India that the Kashmiris are not alone in their struggle and sooner or later, it will have to give them their right to decide their political future by themselves as guaranteed by the relevant UN resolutions. It is also a reminder to the world community to fulfill its obligations towards resolving the long-pending Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. »
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The government and people of Pakistan, at home and abroad, observe the
Kashmir Solidarity Day on 5th February, every year, to renew the pledge to continue the unflinching support to the Kashmiri people who are carrying on a just struggle to achieve their inalienable right to self-determination. The observance of the day since 1991 is aimed at conveying a loud and clear message to India that the Kashmiris are not alone in their struggle and sooner or later, it will have to give them their right to decide their political future by themselves as guaranteed by the relevant UN resolutions. It is also a reminder to the world community to fulfill its obligations towards resolving the long-pending Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. »
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Bashaarat Masood
On September 12, 2006, Parvez Ahmad Radoo left home – a double-storey stone-and-brick house at Noorbagh Sopore in north Kashmir – for Pune with the hope to return on Eid that year. He returned, but seven years later, on June 9, 2013, a broken man who lost his youth and career to a false terror charge by the Delhi Police’s special cell and a slow judicial process. »
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On September 12, 2006, Parvez Ahmad Radoo left home – a double-storey stone-and-brick house at Noorbagh Sopore in north Kashmir – for Pune with the hope to return on Eid that year. He returned, but seven years later, on June 9, 2013, a broken man who lost his youth and career to a false terror charge by the Delhi Police’s special cell and a slow judicial process. »
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Hindutva’s dark legacy
Praful Bidwai
Whatever its other sins – and there are many – the Sangh Parivar can never be accused of one thing: of having produced a half-way tall intellectual. Indeed, no star in the Hindutva firmament, from Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh founder KB Hedgewar, and its longest-serving sarasanghachalak MS Golwalkar, to the present leaders of the Sangh’s 30-odd affiliate organisations, including the Bharatiya Janata Party, even remotely fits the description “intellectual”. »
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Whatever its other sins – and there are many – the Sangh Parivar can never be accused of one thing: of having produced a half-way tall intellectual. Indeed, no star in the Hindutva firmament, from Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh founder KB Hedgewar, and its longest-serving sarasanghachalak MS Golwalkar, to the present leaders of the Sangh’s 30-odd affiliate organisations, including the Bharatiya Janata Party, even remotely fits the description “intellectual”. »
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Suhas Chakma
India’s reluctance to promote human rights at home and abroad is surprising, considering the nation’s pride in its democratic traditions. In the past, ironically, following India’s independence from Britain in 1947, the country’s global voice against decolonization and for justice, universal dignity and freedom was loud and clear. Over time, however, India has withdrawn more and more into its shell, and today its voice is seldom heard on issues of human rights – globally or within its borders. »
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India’s reluctance to promote human rights at home and abroad is surprising, considering the nation’s pride in its democratic traditions. In the past, ironically, following India’s independence from Britain in 1947, the country’s global voice against decolonization and for justice, universal dignity and freedom was loud and clear. Over time, however, India has withdrawn more and more into its shell, and today its voice is seldom heard on issues of human rights – globally or within its borders. »
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Lubna Umar
Having been overshadowed by a hostile, unreliable and overbearing neighborhood, Pakistan has had to be engaged in decades of deterrence with an enemy much larger and domineering than herself. Despite having shared the same geography and history for centuries, the people had never shared the same set of ideologies and beliefs, thus widening and deepening the pre-existent fissures that ultimately resulted in altering the cartography of the Sub-continent. »
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Having been overshadowed by a hostile, unreliable and overbearing neighborhood, Pakistan has had to be engaged in decades of deterrence with an enemy much larger and domineering than herself. Despite having shared the same geography and history for centuries, the people had never shared the same set of ideologies and beliefs, thus widening and deepening the pre-existent fissures that ultimately resulted in altering the cartography of the Sub-continent. »
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S Rahman
Whenever there is discussion on Indo-Pak ties, attention is automatically drawn towards Kashmir that has, at times, been declared nuclear flashpoint by some global powers. And whenever there is discussion on nuclearisation of the two neighbours, the first-use or second-use options also come under consideration.
It is strange why the world fraternity or other leading powers don’t give serious thought to the first-use of force in the Kashmir context? It is a historical fact proven with concrete evidence that India was the first to use (brute) force and aggression to launch an attack on Jammu and Kashmir 66 years ago on 27th October. »
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Whenever there is discussion on Indo-Pak ties, attention is automatically drawn towards Kashmir that has, at times, been declared nuclear flashpoint by some global powers. And whenever there is discussion on nuclearisation of the two neighbours, the first-use or second-use options also come under consideration.
It is strange why the world fraternity or other leading powers don’t give serious thought to the first-use of force in the Kashmir context? It is a historical fact proven with concrete evidence that India was the first to use (brute) force and aggression to launch an attack on Jammu and Kashmir 66 years ago on 27th October. »
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Abdul Majid Zargar
A web of falsehood has been woven around the instrument of accession between Indian Govt. and Maharaja of Kashmir to present it as a credible and genuine document before the international community and general public. However, continuous scholarly debates and archival materials have exposed such falsehoods. Noted historian and author of several books, Dr Abdul Ahad, who has held many important positions as Director Archives and museums, has termed the instrument of accession as a bogus document on the basis of archival material, overwriting in dates, type of ink used for signatures etc. etc. In chapter 23 of his book Kashmir – Triumphs &Tragedies, he has exposed a number of infirmities in the instrument of accession that put its credibility to a severe test. Probably this explains the Indian unwillingness to present the original instrument before the UN or its exhibition in the white paper on Kashmir presented before Indian Constituent Assembly on 3rd March 1948. (See also Alistair Lamb -Chapter V1) »
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A web of falsehood has been woven around the instrument of accession between Indian Govt. and Maharaja of Kashmir to present it as a credible and genuine document before the international community and general public. However, continuous scholarly debates and archival materials have exposed such falsehoods. Noted historian and author of several books, Dr Abdul Ahad, who has held many important positions as Director Archives and museums, has termed the instrument of accession as a bogus document on the basis of archival material, overwriting in dates, type of ink used for signatures etc. etc. In chapter 23 of his book Kashmir – Triumphs &Tragedies, he has exposed a number of infirmities in the instrument of accession that put its credibility to a severe test. Probably this explains the Indian unwillingness to present the original instrument before the UN or its exhibition in the white paper on Kashmir presented before Indian Constituent Assembly on 3rd March 1948. (See also Alistair Lamb -Chapter V1) »
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Democracy seems fine in India until there is no expression of dissent on Kashmir.
Nayeema Ahmad Mahjoor
Dissent or difference of opinion is considered to be one of the pillars of democracy. In fact, opposing voices make this political philosophy strong and functional. Take, for example, Northern Ireland or Scotland; the British government has, to a certain extent, given some space and time to the dissenting leadership to promote its ideology which has become a basis for the development of a healthy discourse from which national policies are framed. Such discourse has helped the Government to reach the root cause of the problem and make every effort to win back the dissenting voices without using force or intimidation. »
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Nayeema Ahmad Mahjoor
Dissent or difference of opinion is considered to be one of the pillars of democracy. In fact, opposing voices make this political philosophy strong and functional. Take, for example, Northern Ireland or Scotland; the British government has, to a certain extent, given some space and time to the dissenting leadership to promote its ideology which has become a basis for the development of a healthy discourse from which national policies are framed. Such discourse has helped the Government to reach the root cause of the problem and make every effort to win back the dissenting voices without using force or intimidation. »
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Dr Muhammad Khan
Just a few days before his meeting with President Obama, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif hinted that the US would be asked to play a role in the resolution of long-standing Kashmir dispute for the broader peace and stability in South Asia. This was quite a logical approach adopted by the Premier which should have been appreciated as the unresolved nature of the issue created tension and insecurity between India and Pakistan ever since their independence in 1947. It was expected that there would be a mature response from India. Unfortunately, this did not happen and Indian leaders reacted pessimistically on this call of Pakistani Premier. »
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Just a few days before his meeting with President Obama, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif hinted that the US would be asked to play a role in the resolution of long-standing Kashmir dispute for the broader peace and stability in South Asia. This was quite a logical approach adopted by the Premier which should have been appreciated as the unresolved nature of the issue created tension and insecurity between India and Pakistan ever since their independence in 1947. It was expected that there would be a mature response from India. Unfortunately, this did not happen and Indian leaders reacted pessimistically on this call of Pakistani Premier. »
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Masood Hussain
For a small part of Kashmir, summer brings a winter of discontent for its residents. In Tosamaidan, where the Indian army converts a meadow into a shooting range, residents are ordered to stay cooped up in their homes as the soldiers outside enjoy a field day. Even in peacetime, a war-like situation exists in Tosamaidan, home to 16 villages, within and outside the area the army and air force take over every year between May and August for artillery practice. »
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For a small part of Kashmir, summer brings a winter of discontent for its residents. In Tosamaidan, where the Indian army converts a meadow into a shooting range, residents are ordered to stay cooped up in their homes as the soldiers outside enjoy a field day. Even in peacetime, a war-like situation exists in Tosamaidan, home to 16 villages, within and outside the area the army and air force take over every year between May and August for artillery practice. »
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By M Raza Malik
The people of Jammu and Kashmir have been engaged in a peaceful struggle to achieve freedom from India for the past several decades and the worst kind of Indian state terrorism during all these years has failed to intimidate them into submission.
The sufferings of Kashmiri people started with the landing of Indian army in Jammu and Kashmir on October 27 in 1947. Since then the Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and across the globe are observing the day as Black Day and consider it as the blackest day in the history of Kashmir. India had landed its troops in Jammu and Kashmir in complete disregard to the Indian Independence Act and Partition Plan in 1947, which stated that the Indian British Colony would be divided into two sovereign states, India, with Hindu-majority areas, and Pakistan, with the Muslim-majority areas of Western provinces and east Bengal. »
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The people of Jammu and Kashmir have been engaged in a peaceful struggle to achieve freedom from India for the past several decades and the worst kind of Indian state terrorism during all these years has failed to intimidate them into submission.
The sufferings of Kashmiri people started with the landing of Indian army in Jammu and Kashmir on October 27 in 1947. Since then the Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and across the globe are observing the day as Black Day and consider it as the blackest day in the history of Kashmir. India had landed its troops in Jammu and Kashmir in complete disregard to the Indian Independence Act and Partition Plan in 1947, which stated that the Indian British Colony would be divided into two sovereign states, India, with Hindu-majority areas, and Pakistan, with the Muslim-majority areas of Western provinces and east Bengal. »
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By Umar Cheema
ISLAMABAD: Recently retired Indian Army chief General Vijay Kumar Singh has admitted that India sponsored bomb blasts in Pakistan and doled out money to the separatist elements in Balochistan, a disclosure downplayed by the Indian media so far.
Buying silence of Kashmiri leaders in Indian occupied Kashmir and phone tapping inside India were also part of the sensitive report. The ex-army chief reveals this in an inquiry report prepared by India’s DG military operations shining light on activities of an army unit raised after the Mumbai attacks. »
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ISLAMABAD: Recently retired Indian Army chief General Vijay Kumar Singh has admitted that India sponsored bomb blasts in Pakistan and doled out money to the separatist elements in Balochistan, a disclosure downplayed by the Indian media so far.Buying silence of Kashmiri leaders in Indian occupied Kashmir and phone tapping inside India were also part of the sensitive report. The ex-army chief reveals this in an inquiry report prepared by India’s DG military operations shining light on activities of an army unit raised after the Mumbai attacks. »
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When historians will evaluate the movements for right to self-determination in different parts of the world, they will definitely reckon that Kashmiris’ freedom struggle has one of the most memorable traits among other such movements and that is the status of the personalities and the manner in which they rendered sacrifices. Kashmiris of different ages, from young to mature, from elderly to kids, from men to women, from villagers to urbanites, from newborns to toddlers, from journalists to lawyers and from activists to leaders, no age group, no segment, gender or class of the Kashmiri society has lagged behind on this front. They all have martyrs among their ranks and martyrdom could be declared as their proud credit. »
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Srinagar, June 01 (KMS): The High Court of occupied Kashmir has reserved verdict on a contempt plea filed by the veteran Hurriyet leader, Syed Ali Gilani, seeking action against the authorities for non-compliance of court directives on his house arrest. »
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My family has lost its innocence
Iftikhar Gilani
I am the father of two grown-up kids and from their childhood, I have trained them to be law-abiding citizens of India. But what they experienced on the morning of February 9 will, perhaps, stay with them forever.
On that day, as news of Afzal Guru’s hanging came on television channels and I was getting ready to leave for my job at DNA’s Delhi office, some people approached me, inquiring about the house of Syed Ali Shah Geelani, my father-in-law, who resides at Khirki Extension in south Delhi. I showed them the house from outside and started walking away. »
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I am the father of two grown-up kids and from their childhood, I have trained them to be law-abiding citizens of India. But what they experienced on the morning of February 9 will, perhaps, stay with them forever.
On that day, as news of Afzal Guru’s hanging came on television channels and I was getting ready to leave for my job at DNA’s Delhi office, some people approached me, inquiring about the house of Syed Ali Shah Geelani, my father-in-law, who resides at Khirki Extension in south Delhi. I showed them the house from outside and started walking away. »
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- The guilt of Afzal Guru was not as evident as the State would have you think. And his dubious execution may not be the last such case
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Arundhati Roy
Spring announced itself in Delhi on Saturday. The sun was out, and the law took its course. Just before breakfast, the government of India secretly hanged Afzal Guru, prime accused in the attack on parliament in December 2001, and interred his body in Delhi’s Tihar jail where he had been in solitary confinement for 12 years. Guru’s wife and son were not informed. “The authorities intimated the family through speed post and registered post,” the home secretary told the press, “the director general of the Jammu and Kashmir [J&K] police has been told to check whether they got it or not”. No big deal, they’re only the family of yet another Kashmiri terrorist. »
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Spring announced itself in Delhi on Saturday. The sun was out, and the law took its course. Just before breakfast, the government of India secretly hanged Afzal Guru, prime accused in the attack on parliament in December 2001, and interred his body in Delhi’s Tihar jail where he had been in solitary confinement for 12 years. Guru’s wife and son were not informed. “The authorities intimated the family through speed post and registered post,” the home secretary told the press, “the director general of the Jammu and Kashmir [J&K] police has been told to check whether they got it or not”. No big deal, they’re only the family of yet another Kashmiri terrorist. »
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By Abdul Majid Zargar
In the backdrop of recent incident of gang-rape of a girl in Delhi, Mr. Wajahat Habibullah, Chairman National Minorities Commission and former Chief Information Commissioner of India has admitted that there have been numerous and widespread allegations of rape against Indian Army in Kashmir which have largely remained uninvestigated with the result that culprits have gone unpunished. But regrettably it has taken nearly ten thousand rapes of Kashmiri women (Figure provided by a reputed news portal – Kashmir Media Service) for his conscience to arouse and speak truth. »
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In the backdrop of recent incident of gang-rape of a girl in Delhi, Mr. Wajahat Habibullah, Chairman National Minorities Commission and former Chief Information Commissioner of India has admitted that there have been numerous and widespread allegations of rape against Indian Army in Kashmir which have largely remained uninvestigated with the result that culprits have gone unpunished. But regrettably it has taken nearly ten thousand rapes of Kashmiri women (Figure provided by a reputed news portal – Kashmir Media Service) for his conscience to arouse and speak truth. »
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By Shikha Dalmia
One of the most obscene moments after the death of the gang-rape victim in New Delhi was a tweet by Narendra Modi, the Governor of the Indian state of Gujarat, offering regret and condolences to the dead woman’s family. »
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One of the most obscene moments after the death of the gang-rape victim in New Delhi was a tweet by Narendra Modi, the Governor of the Indian state of Gujarat, offering regret and condolences to the dead woman’s family. »
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By Ameer Tarin
Sushil Kumar Shinde, high-profile Home Minister of India, backed by ministry’s Secretary stated that BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) the main opposition, Sang Parivar supported by its various sister concerns are involved in terrorism. While terrorism, generally, portrayed as “Muslim monopoly”; the Hindu terror groups involved in terrorism, according to the honorable Minister, victimized minorities in India who further stated that these terror groups ran training camps to promote Hindu terrorism by planting bombs and then blaming minorities for such crimes. (Reports Times of India: January 21, 2013) »
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Sushil Kumar Shinde, high-profile Home Minister of India, backed by ministry’s Secretary stated that BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) the main opposition, Sang Parivar supported by its various sister concerns are involved in terrorism. While terrorism, generally, portrayed as “Muslim monopoly”; the Hindu terror groups involved in terrorism, according to the honorable Minister, victimized minorities in India who further stated that these terror groups ran training camps to promote Hindu terrorism by planting bombs and then blaming minorities for such crimes. (Reports Times of India: January 21, 2013) »
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By Abdul Majid Zargar
Post execution of Ajmal Kasab, the clamour for hanging Afzal Guroo is growing with each passing day. But there remain yawning gaps in his trial and conviction, which need to be properly addressed before taking any precipitate action. These gaps or unanswered questions are: »
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Post execution of Ajmal Kasab, the clamour for hanging Afzal Guroo is growing with each passing day. But there remain yawning gaps in his trial and conviction, which need to be properly addressed before taking any precipitate action. These gaps or unanswered questions are: »
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by Gowhar Geelani
For the first time since the inception of popular armed uprising against Indian rule in Jammu and Kashmir in 1989, two leading human rights groups have named 500 “alleged perpetrators” – including two Major Generals and three Brigadiers of the Indian Army besides many other serving officers and soldiers – involved in killings, fake encounters, torture, rape and other serious crimes like abduction and enforced custodial disappearances in the disputed Himalayan region. »
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For the first time since the inception of popular armed uprising against Indian rule in Jammu and Kashmir in 1989, two leading human rights groups have named 500 “alleged perpetrators” – including two Major Generals and three Brigadiers of the Indian Army besides many other serving officers and soldiers – involved in killings, fake encounters, torture, rape and other serious crimes like abduction and enforced custodial disappearances in the disputed Himalayan region. »
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By Ameer Tarin
Sushil Kumar Shinde, high-profile Home Minister of India, backed by ministry’s Secretary stated that BJP (Bharitiya Janata Party) the main opposition, Sang Parivar supported by its various sister concerns are involved in terrorism. While terrorism, generally, portrayed as “Muslim monopoly”; the Hindu terror groups involved in terrorism, according to the honorable Minister, victimized minorities in India who further stated that these terror groups ran training camps to promote Hindu terrorism by planting bombs and then blaming minorities for such crimes. (Reports Times of India: January 21, 2013) »
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Sushil Kumar Shinde, high-profile Home Minister of India, backed by ministry’s Secretary stated that BJP (Bharitiya Janata Party) the main opposition, Sang Parivar supported by its various sister concerns are involved in terrorism. While terrorism, generally, portrayed as “Muslim monopoly”; the Hindu terror groups involved in terrorism, according to the honorable Minister, victimized minorities in India who further stated that these terror groups ran training camps to promote Hindu terrorism by planting bombs and then blaming minorities for such crimes. (Reports Times of India: January 21, 2013) »Read More... | Comment
It is one of the least known genocides in modern history. It was carried out with such a precision that it is difficult to find its traces, except in the memories of the survivors, and the tales of horror they passed on to their next generations. Around 500,000 Muslims were killed with military precision. It was such an operation that language lacks words to express this offence of demolition of human being. »Read More... | 6 Comments
In the modern era, various forms of state terrorism continue by the Israeli armed forces on the Palestinians. While with the backing of Burmese military regime and the covert assistance of Hindus, recent bloodshed of the minority Rohingya Muslim community at the hands of the Rakhine extremist Buddhists in Burma (Myanmar) presents another such example. »
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Muhammad Raza Malik
October 27 is the darkest day in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. The Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and the world over observe it as the Black Day because on this day in 1947 India had forcibly occupied Jammu and Kashmir by landing its army in Srinagar against the will of the Kashmiri people and in total disregard to the Indian Independence Act and Partition Plan. Every year, the day is marked by complete shutdown in occupied Kashmir and rallies, seminars and demonstrations in the occupied territory, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and world capitals. »
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October 27 is the darkest day in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. The Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and the world over observe it as the Black Day because on this day in 1947 India had forcibly occupied Jammu and Kashmir by landing its army in Srinagar against the will of the Kashmiri people and in total disregard to the Indian Independence Act and Partition Plan. Every year, the day is marked by complete shutdown in occupied Kashmir and rallies, seminars and demonstrations in the occupied territory, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and world capitals. »
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