The Department of International Relations at the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir Muslim United Forum, held an enlightening seminar titled “Deconstructing October 22, 1947: Unpacking the Background Facts and Propaganda Surrounding the Tribal Entry into Kashmir.” This historic event was skillfully hosted by 𝐌𝐫. 𝐀𝐬𝐚𝐝 𝐀𝐥𝐢 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐡 (BS IR, 3rd Semester) and 𝐌𝐬. 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐚 𝐍𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐫 (BS IR, 7th Semester). It commenced with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by a heartfelt Naat Sharif performed by Mr. Kawish Bilal (BS IR, 3rd Semester), setting a spiritual tone for the proceedings.

𝐃𝐫. 𝐌𝐞𝐡𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐇𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐧, Head of the Department of International Relations, extended a warm welcome to the esteemed guests, speakers, faculty members, principal officers, and students. In his opening address, Dr. Hussain emphasized the significance of understanding the historical truths surrounding the liberation of Muzaffarabad and the critical role played by tribal forces. He urged the audience to reflect on the just struggle of the Kashmiri people against the brutalities of the Maharaja’s forces, RSS bandits, and the Patiala military contingent. A special documentary, produced by Mr. Asad Ali Baloch, was then presented, offering a visual narrative of the resilience and unyielding spirit of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

The seminar featured a prominent virtual address by 𝐌𝐫. 𝐈𝐦𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐳 𝐊𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐥, President and Founder of the Jammu and Kashmir Muslim United Forum, who debunked common myths and propaganda surrounding the tribal entry into Kashmir. He provided an in-depth analysis of the misinformation perpetuated about the events of October 22, 1947. Following this, 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐙𝐚𝐤𝐢 𝐉𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐚𝐫 delivered a compelling lecture on the critical events that led to the tribal intervention in Kashmir. He exposed how the Maharaja violated the standstill agreement with Pakistan while simultaneously seeking military support from India. Advocate Jabbar also highlighted the complicity of the Indian National Congress leadership and Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India, in suppressing the legitimate aspirations of the Kashmiri people and illegally occupying the region.

The seminar further featured insightful presentations by 𝐌𝐫. 𝐒𝐢𝐤𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐛 𝐌𝐢𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐫. 𝐑𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐞, who meticulously dismantled the myths surrounding October 22, using well-researched facts and independent sources to clarify historical inaccuracies. A group of students from the Department of International Relations—𝐀𝐡𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐦 𝐀𝐫𝐢𝐟 𝐊𝐡𝐚𝐧 (BS IR, 8th Semester), 𝐌𝐮𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐫 𝐀𝐳𝐢𝐳 (BS IR, 5th Semester), 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐲𝐚 𝐁𝐮𝐭𝐭 (BS IR, 5th Semester), 𝐙𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛 𝐁𝐢𝐛𝐢 (BS IR, 3rd Semester), and 𝐍𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐔𝐥 𝐄𝐦𝐚𝐧 (BS IR, 3rd Semester)—delivered research presentations on key aspects of the Jammu and Kashmir conflict. They offered detailed analyses on topics such as the Jammu Massacre, the historical context of Kashmir’s freedom struggle, the liberation of Muzaffarabad from an international law perspective, and the issue of settler colonialism in Kashmir.

In her closing remarks, faculty member 𝐌𝐬. 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐡𝐚 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐥 praised the depth of discussion and the commitment of the students to rigorous research. The seminar concluded with a lively and engaging question-and-answer session, providing the audience with an opportunity to further explore the complexities of the Kashmir conflict.