Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad strongly criticized India’s policy in the Kashmir region, and said at a conference yesterday in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, that it is time “for India to stop its actions and attacks in the region, and to take real steps so that“ Israel is not another ”. Mahathir’s statement came after A year after New Delhi decided to end Kashmir's autonomy, which sparked widespread popular protests against the decision condemned by Pakistan.
Mahathir called on India, in a speech delivered on Saturday at the Kashmir Support Conference, not to repeat the Israeli model in the occupation of Palestinian lands in Jammu and Kashmir, and the former Malaysian official added that he chose not to remain silent, and to stand by humanity in the Kashmir issue, despite his knowledge of the possible attack on him due to His statements.
Mahathir said that India should reach an understanding with Pakistan to solve the Kashmir issue through negotiations, and "not by deploying armed forces, assaulting citizens and violating the human rights of Kashmiris."
No apology
, Mahathir added in a tweet on his Twitter account that he will not apologize for what he previously said about the Indian violations in Kashmir, which are disputed between New Delhi and Islamabad, despite its impact on Malaysian palm oil exports to India, adding, "I do not know if this is the high price. We must push him to speak out against these injustices. "
He indicated that he is no longer prime minister, and he can speak without restrictions and address the Kashmir issue without boycotting or other threats.
And Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan welcomed Mahathir's comments "in support of the Kashmiris and condemning the Indian oppression, after a year of illegal actions by India against Jammu and Kashmir."
Since last year, Kashmir, which is predominantly Muslim, has witnessed an increasing resentment against the Hindu national government, especially against the background of granting the right to purchase land, which was previously restricted to the people of Kashmir, to tens of thousands of people from outside it.
"Silence is not an option, the world should speak out loud about Kashmir." Former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dr Mahathir Mohamad said pic.twitter.com/g2QkyknwUH
- Abdul-Rahman QURESHI (@ Ar48Rahman) August 8, 2020
Indian legislation
Anxiety and fear have dominated the population of the Indian-controlled part of Jammu and Kashmir, about two months ago, due to new legislation paving the way for a demographic invasion of the region from various Indian states, at a time when the world is busy confronting the Corona virus.
The Indian central government passed legislation granting its citizens - who have lived in Jammu and Kashmir for more than 15 years - the status of a local citizen to enable them to own land, reside and work in the region, in addition to holding public office.
The political parties represented in Jammu and Kashmir have expressed their opposition to the new Indian legislation, saying that it targets the demographic reality of the region.
It is noteworthy that, since their independence from Britain and the division of the Indian subcontinent in 1947, India and Pakistan have fought two out of 3 wars over Kashmir, which they share control over. Armed groups have been fighting for decades to demand the region's independence or annexation to Pakistan, and the ongoing conflict since 1989 has left tens of thousands dead, most of them civilians.