KASHMIR POST 1947
International facilitation is required to help the people of Jammu and Kashmir to attain their inalienable rights
Wednesday, 27 Oct 2010
Shamim Shawl
Kashmir was sold to Gulab Singh by the British Empire authoring a great tragedy in human civilization. Although Amritsar Treaty gave the state an independent position but started the worst historical phase of slavery. Since 1846 to 1947 under Dogra Raj People of Jammu and Kashmir were living a tyrannical life.
There was a hope at the time of partition along with all princely states that Kashmiris will be given a chance to choose their future But Maharaja’s hesitation to Join Pakistan or declare the state independent gave chance to India. The same as was done in Junagadh and Hyderabad. India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru made a pledge to resolve the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the "wishes of the people of Kashmir". But he betrayed. The oldest unresolved international conflict in the world is still a core political dispute between India and Pakistan. International Community accepts it but is silent.
In order to understand the present India-Pakistan conflict we have to return to 1947 when the British left the subcontinent. Although Jawaharlal Nehru made a promise to the people of Jammu and Kashmir on November 2, 1947: “And let me make it clear that it has been our policy all along that where there is a dispute about the accession of a state to either Dominion, the accession must be made by the people of that state.” It is also a historical fact that state of Jammu Kashmir is not a part of India and a long battle imposed on the people of state is a proof that India is using might to continue its presence and delay a free and fair plebiscite. Indian claim on Kashmir is politically, legally and morally unjustified. Establishment of an UN authority in the state from January 24 1949 to supervise the ceasefire between India and Pakistan is another legal and historical proof of Kashmir disputes nature. The observers, under the command of the Military Adviser appointed by the UN Secretary General, formed the nucleus of the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP). Taking the issue to the UN, India was confident of winning a plebiscite but it never trusted the people of the state. There were three wars between India and Pakistan but all failed to decide the future of Kashmir. The status quo was maintained until 1989 when pro-independence movement started with renewed vigour in the Indian administrated Kashmir. India unleashed a reign of terror against Kashmiris. More than on hundred thousand people have been killed in the last twenty years.
Mountbatten's letter to the Maharaja dated October 27, 1947, also says that issue" should be settled by a reference to the people".
"The question of accession should be decided in accordance with the wishes of people of the State." India has authored a number of dark pages in Kashmir. Jammu genocide in 1947 is still fresh in our minds. It has widely been reported in International press. In 1947, Horace Alexander wrote in the Spectator (January 16, 1948) that the killings had “the tacit consent of State authority” and put the figure at 200,000.” On August 10, 1948, The Times (London) published a report by “A Special Correspondent”, an Indian Civil Service official who had served in the State. He wrote: “2, 37,000 Muslims were systematically exterminated – unless they escaped to Pakistan along the border – by all the forces of the Dogra State, headed by the Maharaja in person and aided by Hindus and Sikhs. This happened in October 1947, five days before the first Pathan invasion and nine days before the Maharaja’s accession to India. ” Between 1941 and 1961, the Muslim population of Jammu fell from 61 percent to 38 percent.
British daily The London Times wrote on October 10, 1947 in a report from its special correspondent in India that the Maharaja, under his own supervision, got assassinated 237,000 Muslims, using military forces in Jammu area. The editor of "Statesman" Ian Stephen, in his book "Horned Moon" wrote that till the end of autumn 1947, more than 200,000 Muslims were assassinated. It is also a fact that State of Jammu and Kashmir is really in danger and a large number of Muslims butchered in the province of Jammu, and a small number of province were allowed to come out of the State and taking refuge in Pakistan. Pakistan is still giving refuge to the people of the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Indian declared the state of Jammu and Kashmir ‘disturb’ and imposed an act (AFSPA) which gives freehand to kill, shoot and assassinate people. State of Jammu and Kashmir is really in danger. Robin Raphael Assistant Secretary of State declared Jammu & Kashmir as a “disputed territory” and started calling for the resolution of the dispute between India and Pakistan in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people. We knew that all countries who gained their freedom at the expense of their great sacrifices. They are emerging as independent nations, and are enjoying full share in the global world. This emergence of independent states in world like East Timor and Bosnia is a source of great inspiration to those countries which are struggling for freedom. It is hoped that Barrack Obama’s visit to India will be a new hope and will support, morally and politically, the struggle of Kashmiri people. It is our responsibility to approach and inform all the stakeholders of the world.
To conclude the world conscience must take notice of the existing painful situation in Kashmir where people have been imprisoned in their homes. 111 people have been killed. This human tragedy is multiplying the passage of every day. What is needed is international facilitation to help the people of Jammu and Kashmir to redeem their fundamental freedoms and their inalienable right to self-determination. To choose a political future of their choice.
Author is a London based Kashmiri
Kashmir post 1947
