A roundtable discussion on ‘Kashmir Issue and Future of South Asia’ was held at Bangladesh
Shishu Kalyan Parishad, Dhaka on October 27, 2023 at 10.00 am on the initiative of South Asian
Youth Research Center (SAYRC). The program was conducted and presided over by Md. Israfil,
Research Director, SAYRC.
Dr Saifuddin Ahmed, faculty of Peace and Conflict Studies Department, Dhaka University
supported the just rights of Kashmiris and said that October 27 is observed as ‘Black Day’ all over
the world, because on this day India took control of the state of Jammu and Kashmir by force
without any legal justification. He supported the right of Kashmiris and said that India should
restore the rights of Kashmiri people by restoring Article 370. Kashmir can be Israel of future
through Hindutva policy. Kashmiris may have to accept the fate of Palestine. By repealing 370 all
Indians will be able to purchase land in Kashmir. Due to this policy, the Muslim population of
Kashmir may migrate in the near future. The international community only asks Pakistan and India
to exercise restraint, but no one works to solve the real problem of Kashmir. The United Nations
must play a leading role in maintaining stability and a peaceful future in South Asia. He also
mentioned that the Kashmir crisis should be resolved to protect the stability of South Asia through
a plebiscite under the supervision of the United Nations.
Security analyst Col. Retired Ashraf Al Deen said, “The news of torture of Muslims in Kashmir is
not spread like the news of torture of Muslims in Palestine.” Most of the Muslims here are being
persecuted regularly. People of all countries including Bangladesh should be vocal against this
torture. In this regard, he emphasized the importance of making SAARC effective. He emphasized
on taking necessary steps to stop human rights violations in Kashmir. He emphasized on the role
of the United Nations and India in protecting the human rights of the people of Kashmir and
establishing a conflict-free Kashmir. He supported the right of Kashmiris and said that India should
restore the rights of Kashmiri people by restoring Article 370. He also felt that the people of
Kashmir will not get their rights back until Kashmir becomes a country. Reminding of
Bangabandhu’s support for the Kashmiri people, he said that the government and people of
Bangladesh should stand by the Kashmiris.
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General Secretary of Bangladesh Muslim League Kazi Abul Khair urged the country’s government
and political parties to support the freedom-loving people of Kashmir. He thinks that decisions
should be taken according to the opinion of Kashmiris by holding a referendum through the United
Nations. He called for an early resolution of the Kashmir issue to preserve human rights and
establish stable peace in South Asia and highlighted the plight of the youth there and the brutality
of the armed forces against them. He said that Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch
have blamed and condemned India for human rights violations like indiscriminate killings,
disappearances, torture etc. in Kashmir.
Research Director of South Asian Youth Research Center Md. Israfil said, we are all victims of
Kashmir crisis. We should all come together to solve the problem of Kashmir. Curfews, illegal
detentions, murders, premeditated killings, sieges, home fires, torture, disappearances, rapes,
torture of Muslim women and killings through fake encounters have become daily occurrences in
Kashmir. He called for the urgent intervention of the international civil society and the United
Nations to stop these deaths and torture. He urged the country’s government and political parties
to support the freedom-seeking people of Kashmir.