A student from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on Wednesday joined Republic Day celebrations at Rajouri, and was all praise for the Indian democracy.
A student of political science at Mirpur University, Faisal Iqbal, now visiting relatives in Jammu and Kashmir, expressed a desire to witness the celebrations and the administration extended a formal invitation, said G.A. Khawaja, Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri. He was introduced to Industries Minister S.S. Salathia, chief guest at the function held at the district headquarters.
Mr. Iqbal told journalists that he was highly impressed with the celebrations and wanted to see such things in Pakistan too. “We have not enjoyed any Constitution so far in our country; the question of celebrations does not arise at all,” he was quoted as saying.
August 14 is celebrated as Independence Day in Pakistan.
Rajouri journalist Shafiq Mir told The Hindu that Mr. Iqbal felt elated at being “invited as a special guest.”
Impressed with the celebrations, he suggested that more people from PoK, especially youth, be invited to attend such functions. He said he would share his experience with his friends back home and tell them that there was no need for any “jihad” in Jammu and Kashmir, “as people enjoy democracy and liberty here.”
“I am student of political science, and I can well understand that the participation of common masses in such functions indicates that they are happy with their system,” he said.
“We were told there that Indian forces had occupied Jammu and Kashmir but the people are against it. But I am surprised to see that every child is dancing on his/her own, and they are enjoying the day like a festival.”
Mr. Iqbal said people from both sides should sit together and understand each other. Both governments “should allow free movement of Kashmiris across the LoC, and people themselves will decide which side is better.”
Every week scores of people from both sides have been crossing the LoC, between Poonch and Rawlakot and between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad, since a bus service was launched in April 2005.
