All sound and fury

NO one in India is surprised that Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should have made extensive references to Kashmir during his speech at the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday. Expectedly, he accused India of unleashing “state terrorism” on the hapless Kashmiris and demanded plebiscite for them. He allowed himself to hail young terrorist leader Burhan Wani. Neither his belligerence  nor  his  distorted narrative has surprised anyone. 

Never mind Nawaz Sharif’s historical, geographical and diplomatic contradictions. But he is way off the mark about Kashmir. The dominant narrative in the streets of Kashmir is for “azadi”, which implies that no India, no Pakistan, but independence. He projected himself to be speaking for the people of Kashmir, but none of them has given him the power of attorney to speak or propose a Kashmir resolution on their behalf. “Azadi” is an anathema to Pakistan  because then it will have to vacate all territories of this Himalayan state under its illegal occupation. “Azadi” is an occasional dream for many Kashmiris, but it is a recurring nightmare for Pakistan. Nawaz was eloquent in his support for “peaceful” protests in the Kashmir Valley. He maintained a deafening silence as to how these peaceful protesters get stone and petrol bombs. And when he praised “young” Wani, he clearly painted himself in the terrorist corner. His each word on Kashmir was an unequivocal support for violence; and the speech was a long invitation and an incitement to unrest in Kashmir. Even his “Srinagar to Sopore” definition of the Valley was reflective of ill-information on the Valley’s geography, demography and history.

Pakistan premier’s speech was all sound and fury, signifying nothing. The Pakistani leader’s lament that his country itself was a victim of terrorism would find very few takers; his government’s inability or unwillingness to clamp down on assorted  jehadi outfits is too well known and too well documented. His focus on Kashmir was meant to distract the emerging diplomatic consensus on declaring Pakistan a terror state. India should continue its diplomatic offensive to isolate Pakistan in every single international forum.