Greetings! I welcome you to the first ALAGS Social post. Here we talk about social issues. Today, we are going to talk about the situation in Kashmir.
Background:
When Britishers left India, Kashmir was an independent state, which refused to be a part of India or Pakistan. After about 5 to 6 months, Pakistan launched a proxy attack on Kashmir in the form of the Kabaili hamla (Tribal Invasion). Raja Hari Singh of Kashmir felt helpless and signed a treaty of accession with India on the condition that Kashmir will be given a special status. Indian troops marched into Kashmir but till then Kabailis had already occupied almost 1/3rd of Kashmir which later on came to be known as Pak Occupied Kashmir (POK). Though Indian troops were marching ahead and were ready to evict the Kabailis, the then Prime Minister Nehru sort UN mediation. The UNO required both countries to a ceasefire as a pre-condition for peace. Later on U.N.O. passed a resolution seeking plebiscite to know the desire of the people. But, the most important condition for the plebiscite was the armies of both countries move back so that the plebiscite can be held in a free and fair manner. Since the armies did not move back, India expressed its reluctance for a plebiscite. Whenever Pakistan raises this issue in UNSC, USSR used to veto it.
After the accession of Kashmir with India, Sheikh Abdullah became a prominent actor who used to keep his position changing, finally, he was arrested and imprisoned for many years. After the liberation of Bangladesh from Pakistan, Sheikh Abdullah entered into an agreement with the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on the condition that special status of Kashmir will continue. On all the government vehicles on one side the flag of India would be flying and on the other side, the flag of Kashmir will be flying. No legal bills of Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha will be applicable to Jammu and Kashmir till the national assembly of Jammu and Kashmir ratifies it. The Union Government of India will be responsible for Finance and Defence and in all other matters, the national assembly of Jammu and Kashmir will have autonomy. After this agreement, elections were held in Jammu and Kashmir and National Conference led by Sheikh Abdullah came to power. Atrocities were committed on Hindus and Sikhs and migrants from West Pakistan who settled in Jammu and Kashmir were deprived of Citizenship rights. Kashmiri Pandits were forced to leave Kashmir and live in other parts of the country as Refugees. Incidents like this always forced the political leaders to think on the lines of abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution which guaranteed special status to Jammu and Kashmir. But the past governments could not gather the courage to do so.
What did India do?
Since both, India and Pakistan claim to have the right to govern Jammu and Kashmir, battles have been fought between these 2 countries in 1948, 1965, 1971 and proxy war in Kargil in 1998. In all these wars, India had turned victorious but had shown large-heartedness in returning the POWs to Pakistan and providing safe passage to intruders in Kargil when they wanted to move out of India in view of sure defeat. In spite of these wars, the Kashmir issue could not be resolved. After, the war of 1965, the Tashkent agreement was signed between India and Pakistan, in which India agreed to return the territories, conquered by the Indian army to Pakistan. The then Prime Minister, Lal Bahadur Shastry breathed his last in Tashkent. After 1947 war also, India and Pakistan signed Shimla agreement whereby both the countries agreed to resolve all disputes between India and Pakistan, including Kashmir bilaterally without inviting the mediation of any other country. The then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi showed large-heartedness by agreeing to return approximately 90,000 Pakistani prisoners of war. She also agreed to return the territories conquered by the Indian Army in West Pakistan. India honoured its commitment in letter and spirit but Pakistan has always tried to internationalise the issue of Kashmir which India has resisted tooth and nail. During all these years, terrorism has been rising in Kashmir and thousands of Hindus, Sikhs, Police and Army personnel have lost their lives.
Finally, the present government of India, led by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has gathered the courage to abrogate Article 370 of the Indian Constitution. Not only this, but the state of Jammu and Kashmir has been bifurcated into two union territories - Laddakh & Jammu Kashmir. After the signatures of the President of India, Jammu and Kashmir have become an integral part of the Country and Kashmir has lost its special status, now, only the Flag of India will be hoisted legally in Jammu and Kashmir and the laws enacted by Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will be applicable to Jammu and Kashmir. Not only this, the union government with the active co-operation of Jammu and Kashmir Police and Indian Army, frowned upon terrorists with a very heavy end. The rebellion voices of terrorists have been silenced by the Killings of the Terrorists. Off late, the incidents of stone-throwing on Police and Army Personelle was also reduced. The Pakistan supported Terrorist activities have been countered by Indian government by resorting to Air Strikes on terrorist launch pads on Pakistan. Not on one but three occasions.
What next?
The Kashmir Issue can be resolved only if Pakistan stops sending terrorists to India, comes back to the negotiation table, stops its moves to internationalise the issue and returns Pak Occupied Kashmir to India. The government of India has vode in Lok Sabha that the government will not take rest till POK comes back to the Indian fold.
Conclusion-
To conclude, I want to state that this blog is written just for people who can spend time reading who should know what is happening around the world and can become future leaders. I would also like to state that there was no intention to harm, defame or disharten anyone, we also do not claim that the above information is 100% correct and is based on newspaper reports and news shows. I hope that you all liked this post. Thank you for reading.
May Peace Prevail in the whole world.
By,
SPARSH SUMANI,
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER,
ALAGS ORGANISATION
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