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India: Letter of Solidarity with the People of Kashmir | Vikalp Sangam [Alternatives Network]

26 October 2019

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To the Brave and Peace-seeking People of the Kashmir Valley

As you endure over two months of communication lock-down (partially lifted only in mid-October) and disruption of daily life, we, members of the Vikalp Sangam Core Group, wish to share our serious concern about your well being and safety.

Your amazing history of commitment to a syncretic tradition and inclusive secular vision has been exemplary and inspirational for all of us committed to peoples alternative democracy. Your resilience and courage to face the indignities and the violence heaped upon you has caused us deep pain.

We are specially concerned about the safety of girls and women and mothers of young children and young men who have been put into prison without any provocation by them.We are deeply aware and worried about the families who are spending sleepless nights over the fate of the loved ones, many of whom are incarcerated and tortured with no access to their where abouts.

We do hope and pray that the children of Kashmir will be able to overcome the mental trauma they are presently subjected to, at the earliest.

We are in admiration of your culture and practice that believe in secular, inclusive democracy and multi-cultural, multi-religious spiritual values (Kashmiriyat). As Vikalp Sangam we believe in democracy and non violence and stand with you against any violation of fundamental rights of people of the region.

We express our solidarity with you in your fight against all forms of violence be they from State or non State actors. We also consider denying access to basic services including access to heath, education, access to information, and other entitlements as a form of violence.

We earnestly desire, hope and promise to support you and keep your satyagraha in fighting for preserving the secular and democratic framework as enshrined in Indian Constitution and your own Constituent Assembly’s principles and the UN declaration of Human Rights.

We urge all parties in the Valley to respect human rights and civil liberties.
We appeal to all citizens of India to support human rights in Kashmir — regardless of what their views or position are about how to solve the conflict in Kashmir.

We make this appeal on the grounds that fundamental rights are above all politics and must be honoured without bias or prejudice of any kind.

We will continue to stand by your right as a people to participate meaningfully in deciding your future.

We look forward to our common future and hope to be able to visit you soon. Vikalp Sangam Core Group (www.vikalpsangam.org)

Vikalp Sangam is a network of organisations and initiatives searching for and working on sustainable and just alternatives.

(All participants of the Vikalp Sangam process do not necessarily agree with all aspects of this statement, but are in general agreement with its intent and purpose)

23 October 2019

P.S.

The above letter is reproduced here in public interest and is for educational and non-commercial use