There are reports that the two factions of Hurriet have decided to forge a unity on three points. One can say better late than never and hope that it is a serious decision (a) in the best interests of the people and (b) a realisation that Hurriet has killed the right of self-determination, by causing the death of a generation. Hurriet shall have to accept criminal, moral and political liability on its failure to act in accordance with its constitution adopted on 31 July 1993.

Leadership of religious, social and political organizations in Srinagar on 27 December 1992 met at the residence of Mirwauz Umar Farooq, Chairman J & K Awami Action Committee, initially to "consider ways and means to meet the growing menace of oppression and suppression by Indian Security Forces". The geography of representation and concern was restricted to Srinagar alone.

The suggestions made at the meeting were referred for examination and report to a Screening Committee, comprising of M M Mubarki, Syed Ali Shah Gilani, Moulvi Abbas Ansari, Yousuful-Umar, Shabir Ahmad Siddiqi, S Hamid, Ghulam Mohammad Bhat and Peer Hafizullah Mukhdoomi.

After considering the report of the Screening Committee, the 'Assembly of Representatives' on 8 March 1993 decided to have a common political platform under the name of "All Parties Hurriet (Freedom) Conference". A Constitution was adopted on 31 July 1993. Earlier a THK operated in Islamabad as a 'unified voice of Kashmir' from 1991 to 1993. The meetings on 27 December 1992 and 8 March 1993 in Srinagar did not make any reference to THK floated in Pakistan in 1991 and wound up in 1993.

Hurriet had succeeded to introduce a political discipline under the Constitution. Unfortunately, it could not act in accordance with the constitutional script and cascaded two step low to accept 'third party' subordination. It failed to link its constitutional duty with the UN mechanism available on the resolution of the right of self-determination of the people of Kashmir.

Hurriet failed to translate its constitutional pledge into a reality because it acted as a 'Government Department' and as such was administered by grade 18, grade 19 and at times by grade 17 officers in the establishment in Islamabad. Indian establishment too was not far away to exact its pound of flesh.

Hurriet constitution embedded in it a fundamental wisdom to protect life as a number for a final count in self-determination. As against this fundamental duty to assure life in Kashmir, it caused the death of a generation. It failed to understand that the death of a generation in fact meant the death of self-determination.

Hurriet failed in its political wisdom to maintain a workable balance between itself and the militant leadership. Militant leadership for some reason made an error to remain obedient more to a third party and less to its own political leadership. Hurriet made a serious error and failed to cash on the Hizb cease-fire of July 2000 which had created a historic opportunity of Kashmiri militancy being recognized by the sovereign State of India.

Hurriet also failed to link its constitutional wisdom with all the 194 countries (including Pakistan) in regard to their Charter obligation. Some small people could not sustain the test of history and failed to live to defend 'life', 'honour' and 'property'. Many of them became political employees of the two establishments and started playing the two respective dulcimers. A wolf of self interest has been hiding under the skin of some of them.

Many members of Hurriet team 'B' in Islamabad do not have the freedom, to enjoy their conjugal rights. Their salary is linked to strict rules of subservience. Some of them have a face but it is inked with a disgrace.

The news that Hurriet (G) and Hurriet (M) aka (Hurriet (A) have decided to work on a three point agenda is a good news. Kashmiri American Council/Kashmir Centre has expressed it's 'rejoice' on the news. KAC has a long history of such itches on these occasions. KAC had expressed its 'celestial' joy on the Chairmanship of Prof. Gani Bhat. However, this itch has its own remote control and eventually cools down.

One is however, tempted to join the double of KAC/KC in expressing a sense of joy on the news. We are free in the expression of our joys and sorrows.

KAC has said that, "this monumental meeting began in solemn recognition of three key points:

1.         the tens of thousands killed, maimed and tortured along with the other countless untold sacrifices of the Kashmiri people

2.         that, according to the Hindustan Times; and IBN/CNN       survey on August 13th, 2007, 87% of the people of the Valley want Aazadi or, the right to be free, exercise their basic right of self-determination and decide their destiny for themselves

3.         illegal transfer of Kashmiri forestland to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board"

One does not know how KAC has regarded this meeting 'monumental'. KAC is paid for using such superlatives at various stages in the Calendar. Otherwise, one could say that the meeting was an 'exercise in recognising' a responsibility which the two sides had ignored for some time.

KAC statement says that "Following their lengthy deliberations, both Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Syed Ali Geelani addressed a joint press conference and agreed on three key principles; first, that self-determination is an inalienable human right and that peace initiatives must be tri-partite, thereby, including the legitimate representatives of the Kashmiri people; next, the formation of a joint committee that will devise new procedures, strategies and methodologies for the Kashmiri freedom movement; and, lastly, to reinvigorate the 1993 Constitution of the All Parties Hurriyet Conference."

Even if Syed Ali Shah Gilani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq do not agree that self-determination is an inalienable human right, it has been recognised so by 194 countries of the world and UN has a declared mechanism, which India and Pakistan have not honoured to enforce as member nations of UN and as parties controlling the three administrations of Jammu and Kashmir. KAC has added an adjective and a qualification for the Kashmiri leadership. It wants the inclusion of "legitimate representatives of the Kashmiri people".

KAC has failed to point out whether the legitimacy is in accordance with the test of 'Principality' set out in the UNCIP Resolutions or it means Kashmiri surrogates paid, proposed and disposed by the establishment in Islamabad. Does KAC mean the three employees in the three Kashmir Centres or others who are available for betrayal and service on a new increase in the salary.

Legitimacy of a Kashmiri representative has to be in terms of history of contribution, substantive merits of the contribution and ability to say 'no' and 'yes' to increment the best benefit of the people of Kashmir. It should not be on the basis of husbands employed by the establishment in Islamabad and wives enjoying 'evening protocol' of the establishment in Delhi.

Kashmiri representatives employed on a monthly salary by the establishment in Islamabad cannot be allowed a clean chit of 'honour' to represent Kashmir as 'legitimates'. KAC has to find out other adjectives to add as a qualification for itself and its likes who continue to swing between Gilani Sahib and Mirwaiz Sahib. Those who have betrayed Gilani Sahib or Mirwaiz Sahib once are 'social lepers' forever. Others who have betrayed the cause of the people of Kashmir have sinned most and shall remain as 'moral lepers for all times to come.

Unified Kashmiri Voice is the key to advance the merits of Kashmir case. We endorse it and pray that the move is original. KAC need not fret in vain. Its bread remains buttered even if there is no unity in Kashmir. As long as the Lucifer keeps KAC soul, there is no danger to its 'legitimacy'.