Kashmir issue and Govt. of India's reaction - Then and Now

Kashmir issue and Govt. of India's reaction - Then and Now
Posted by: "satbir singh" ssbedi1945@yahoo.com ssbedi1945
Fri Aug 29, 2008 11:44 pm (PDT)
The Kashmir problem was created by Maharaja Hari Singh, the then ruler of J&K in 1947 because had he signed the instrument of accession with India on the 15th August, 1947 itself, there would not have been any such problem. No doubt, Pakistan would have attacked J&K even then but the Indian Armed Forces would not have allowed to get hold of even an inch of J&K.

Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah known as Sher-e-Kashmir (the Lion of Kashmir) (Dec 5, 1905, Soura, Kashmir € ¢â’ ’³ Sept 8 1982, Srinagar), was the leader of the National Conference, Kashmir's largest political party, and one of the most important political figures in the modern history of Jammu and Kashmir. He agitated against the rule of the Maharaja Hari Singh, and urged self-rule for Kashmir. He was the Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir State soon after its controversial provisional accession to India in 1947, and was later jailed and exiled. He again became the Chief Minister of the State following 1974 Indira-Sheikh accord and remained in the top slot till his death on Sept 8 1982.

Sheikh Abdullah was jailed because he was involved in cases of treason and treachery. After the arrest of the Sheikh, Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad was installed as Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. This influential leader controlled firmly the agitation that took shape after the arrest of Sheikh Abdullah. Bakshi justified the arrest of the Sheikh. In one of his Radio broadcasts, he linked Sheikh Abdullah with treason and imperialism. He said, "A fraud was being committed on the interests of the country. The slogan of independence was dangerous. Under the control of an imperialist power an independent Kashmir would have been a serious danger for the people of India and Pakistan. A situation similar to Korea could have been created there".

After three days of his release, Sheikh Abdullah wrote a letter to one of his friends and a well-known leader, Khawaja Ghulam Ahmed Kashmiri which gives an insight to the mind of the Sheikh. A copy of this letter has been included by Mr. Y. D. Gundeviya, ICS (Retd.) in his book ''the Testament of Sheikh". The contents of the latter are:

3, Kotla Lane,
New Delhi,
11 December, 1967

Respected Sir,

May you have God's protection and blessings. Your congratulatory letter for my birthday with prayers for my long life has been received. Many thanks for the same.

To me life is a journey which can be travelled in two ways. One can journey through it either as a slave to his wishes or as an obedient servant of God. In 1953 I had to decide which of the two ways I should adopt for myself. On one side people were beckoning to me to live a life of comfort, luxury, affluence and authority at the cost of my conscience. They were asking me forget my ideals of self-determination and the rights of the people of Kashmir to govern themselves and to barter away rights of Kashmiris which have trampled on by rulers for hundreds of years. On the other side, the holy Koran was warning me in God's own voice not to reject God's path and not to fall prey to the comforts of life.

Wise men had been telling me that the promises of men have no value: they can be broken at will. But on the other hand, God's direction to be faithful and loyal was calling upon me to fulfill my promises to the people at all costs. There was a great deal of mental conflict for me in those days. But finally I decided that at no cost could I barter away the inherent right of the Kashmiris for self-determination. For centuries Kaahmiris have been deprived of their rights. Whoever the ruler from outside Kashmir, he treated the Kashmiris harshly and drove them like cattle. In 1931 under my leadership, the Kashmiris awakened and with one mind and one voice, adopted the slogan "It is the right of Kashmiri people to form their own Government". They were willing to shed their blood throughout Kashmir for this ideal. Interpreting their wishes, I had stated in a court of law in my trial that I was leading a movement for self-rule in Kashmir.

For a very long time Kashmir has attracted people by its natural beauty, by art and industry of the Kashmiri artisans. Nature has enriched the land and attracted people from many nations. But if Kashmir has been such an object of attraction for people from outside, how much more is it for the Kashmiri who have been born in this beautiful setting.

In spite of this rich blessings of Nature, the people of Kashmir are poor and hungry. Their faces are emaciated and they have no hopes for the future. Their eyes are dull and without light. Those who sympathise with them are pained to see their pitiful condition.

After concerted efforts for many years, in 1947, the whole world accepted as fair and just their demand for self-determination. It would have been mean on my part to have bartered away the freedom of the people at Kashmir for my personal gain and high office.

I had realised much earlier that the path to truth was full of thorns and privations but with my strong faith in God, I adopted that path. Does not the Quran say: "He is the Master of East and West. No other person except God is worthy of our worship. Make Him your guide and your beacon light" ?

I feel even today that my decision was right. It is difficult to express what mental satisfaction I had by this decision. From August 9,1953 to this day when more than fourteen years have elapsed, countless manoeuvres and attacks have been launched against me to gag the voice of truth and justice but all their attempts have failed. The heart of every man in Kashmir, when it beats, seems to say "Kashmir is our land. We shall decide our own fate".

The difficulties in our way persist but the destination is clear. The need of the hour is that we should continue our efforts unabated and should put our foot forward with firm conviction. God willing success will be ours.

May God give us faith and will to act.

Yours sincerely
Sheikh Mohd. Abdullah

After this letter the Sheikh toured many parts of the country and enlightened Kashmiri Muslims on the right of self- determination On January 12, 1968 the Sheikh addressed a meeting of Kashmiri traders in Ashoka Hotel in Delhi.

He said: 'When we launched our agitation, we had declared that Kashmir is our motherland and only Kashmiris alone can decide its future. Our slogans "Kashmir belongs to Kashmiris, self-determination is the right of people of Kashmir" took roots in the vision of Kashmiris and they became dear to them. The idea of self-determination later spread to other states in the country. But it started from Kashmir. The principle of self-determination is the basis of the UN Charter which has been accepted by majority of countries. Kashmiris have been deprived of this right.

But I am steadfast in my views. This right could not be snatched either by India or by Pakistan. We have been deprived of this right, right from the beginning and we launched the agitation for the restoration of this right to us".

It is quite evident that Sheikh Sahib was intoxicated by Kashmir, Kashmiri and his ambition for power. In his mind there had been no place for India. While expressing his ideas about independent Kashmir, he has placed India and Pakistan in the same pans of the balance.

Mr. Gundeviya has given some other excerpts from the Sheikh's speeches.

The Sheikh said, "If we have to finish our miseries and difficulties, we have to improve our character. Misfortunes do come definitely in the way, but the courageous people should face them boldly. How long can the Muslims remain unemployed ? How long can they depend on uncertain assurances ? Without good character, we cannot give the message of unity and amity to the world.

We are continuing with our agitation against injustice in Kashmir. But we are not ignorant and unaware of the difficulties of the Indian Muslims. We will not take any step which will harm their interests. But we will not surrender before any type of blackmail. It is the right of the Indian Muslims to live in their motherland but this right is not based on Kashmir's accession to India. The Indian Muslims should be capable of saying that if Kashmiris accede to India, it is welcome and if they do not do so, it is their wish".

In 1953, Sheikh Abdullah was arrested for demanding Azadi for the Kashmiris. He was put in prison and it was only in 1974 that he could regain power after giving up the demand for Azadi for the Kashmiris. But now Arundhati Roy and Vir Singhvi are openly demanding Azadi for the Kashmiris and this weak Government is not taking any action against them. What a difference between then and now?

Satbir Singh Bedi