Exiled Baloch leader Brahamdagh Bugti, who has been spearheading the Baloch movement against Pakistan demanding Independence of Balochistan, said on Monday he will soon apply for asylum in India.
Bugti, the grandson of Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti who was killed by Pakistan forces 10 years ago, said in Geneva he will file the asylum application through the Indian Embassy there soon.
“We have decided to formally file asylum papers to Indian Government soon. We will follow the legal process for the application,” he told newspersons. India has, so far, not reacted on the issue.
In the past, India had denied any move to grant asylum to Bugti, but in the changed situation such an option could be very much possible, sources said.
Baloch separatist groups demanding Independence have engaged in armed struggles with the Pakistani Government.
Bugti’s decision to seek asylum in India follows a meeting of his party Baloch Republican Party (BRP), where the decision to shift to India was examined and cleared.
“Baloch Republican Party’s Central Committee has ratified Bugti’s decision to seek political asylum in India.
At the moment, we are concerned about the safety of the president of the party and that is why the decision for political asylum was cleared. We have not yet decided who all will accompany him on his journey to India, but that is up to him decide and the party will volunteer members to accompany him to India as the need arises,” said a spokesperson of BRP Azizullah Bugti.
Balochistan, bordering Afghanistan to the north and Iran and the Arabian Sea to the south, with its Capital Quetta, was in focus when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi while hitting out at ‘supporters of terrorism’ and ‘A Government inspired by terrorism’ (without naming Pakistan), had last month, mentioned ‘people of Balochistan’ in his independence Day speech.
“People of Balochistan, Gilgit and PoK (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir) have thanked me a lot in past few days, I am grateful to them,” Modi had said on August 15 from the Red Fort.
The Prime Minister’s comment was welcomed by an array of Baloch leaders fighting for their Independence and against ‘gross human rights violations’ by Pakistani Army and security forces. Bugti, living abroad for long, was one of the prominent Baloch leaders who immediately reciprocated and appreciated Modi’s stand on the Baloch movement vis-à-vis Pakistan.
Bugti is currently living in exile in Switzerland also said his Party has decided to approach the International Criminal Court against Pakistani Army generals.
Bugti said BRP has also decided to file case against China at the International Court of Justice and the party will approach India, Afghanistan and Bangladesh for help in filing it.
Balochistan is inhabited mainly by Baloch, Pashtuns and Brahuis, and smaller communities and tribes such as Iranian Baloch, Hazaras, Marri and Bugti.
Balochistan was invaded by Britain in 1839. As a result of the invasion hundreds of people, along with then Baloch ruler Mir Mehrab Khan, killed.
Balochistan was then divided into three parts: Northern Balochistan and Western Balochistan were given to Persia and Afghanistan respectively, and Eastern Balochistan was under British rule until 1947.
After the British left, Balochistan was annexed to Pakistan. According to some, the then ruler Khan of Kalat was forced to sign accession documents despite a previous document recognising the Independence of the Baloch people which had been signed by the British, Balochistan and the upcoming Pakistan administration.