Shams Rehman video interview

00:00 Introduction

00:15 Screen title: “Place of birth.” Describes where he grew up.

01:15 Screen title: “Education.” Details of his education, self-identity as Pakistani and negative opinions on Kashmir from authority figures in Pakistan.

04:17 Screen title: “11th FEBRURARY 1984.” Maqbool Bhat protest in 1984 and initial thought on Kashmiri-Pakistani-Indian politics, slogan shouting and arrest.

08:25 Questioning the political motivations of leaders following the protest.

09:21 Began activist work, joined Kashmiri Freedom Movement and various progressive organisations seeking an independent Kashmir.

11:11 Screen title: “Political Activities in the UK.” Moving to Oldham, chancing on the Council for Racial Equality.

13:00 Realising that British-Kashmiris were being labelled as Pakistanis, attending a council meeting on the name of the Pakistani Community Centre.

16:45 Joining the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front, articulating that the Pakistani label masks inequality

18:02 Attempts with the Kashmiri Workers Association of Birmingham to get a Kashmiri category on the national census, explanation that ordinary citizens are not engaged because they lack trust in the system.

20:55 Questions on identity in relation to political boundaries, abuse of Kashmiri resources by Pakistan explained and the passive reception to this by Kashmiri communities.

23:24 Kashmiri locals rejecting their history and culture due to confusion over identity.

25:02 Screen title: “Achievements.” Looking to the future of the Kashmir independence movement, Chitka Magazine produced to make British-Kashmiri identity visible.