Ans: KASHMIR DISPUTE:
The state of Jammu and Kashmir covers a vast area of approximately
220000 kilometers. In 1947 the state had a population of about four million.
In 1846 the British sold this state to Ghulab Singh Dogra for only 7.5 million
Rupees. With regard to its population and area, Kashmir was one of the
largest princely Muslim states in British India but it was ruled by a Hindu
Raja, Hari Singh Dogra. The 1947 partition was based on the principle of
Hindu and Muslim majority areas, but unfortunately the Hindu Raja of
Kashmir did not allow his Muslim majority state to be annexed with Pakistan.
Obviously the Muslim majority population wanted the state to be a part of
Pakistan.
Important Development:
Under the Third June Partition Plan, rulers of the princely state were given
final authority to decide the future of their respective states. Congress
leadership and the rulers of the Hindu and Sikh princely states, neighboring
Kashmir, started to persuade the Maharaja of Kashmir to join the Indian
union. Gandhi, Pandit Nehru and Viceroy Lord Mountbatten also pressurized
the Maharaja for accession.
Brutal Genocide of Kashmiri Muslims:
The Maharaja had started to disarm the Muslims living in the areas adjacent
to the Punjab border, Poonch and Jammu areas. The Maharaja deployed his
troops in the area. The Hindus and the Sikhs started organized genocide of
the Muslim population. Half million Muslims were expelled from their homes
in the Hindu and Sikh majority areas of Jammu. Two hundred thousand of
these Muslims lost their lives probably due to cold weather or epidemics,
nobody knows how many of them were slaughtered on their way to the west
Punjab. Those who reached the west Punjab were in miserable condition.
NWFP (now KPK) and the tribal areas started marching towards Kashmir to
As soon as the news of this brutal genocide spread, armed groups from the
help their brethren in trouble.
Instrument of Accession:
The Governor General and the Indian leadership reacted abruptly and got an
‘instrument of accession’ (Kashmir’s accession to India) signed by the
Maharaja of Kashmir on October 27, 1947. Indian troops started flying to-Sri
Nagar the same day.
War Between India and Pakistan:
Kashmiri freedom fighters with the help of their tribal brothern reached Bara
Mula, on October 24, 1947, they established their government in the
liberated area. Pakistani troops entered Kashmir on May 1948 to help the
Mujahideen. India intervened and full scale war between India and Pakistan
started.
The Kashmir Issue in the Security Council:
Foreseeing her defeat, India took the matter to the UN. The UN appealed
both countries to cease fire. Pakistan honoured the world community by
accepting cease-fire on January 1, 1949.
Decision on Kashmir’s Future:
.The UN Security state Council decided that the people of Jammu and
Kashmir will determine the future of their state through plebiscite, India
consented to it but has been procrastinating it through delaying tactics up till
now. Number of plebiscite inspectors were sent by the UN.during 1949 and
1953 but the Indians did not allow them to work. So much so, that in March
1965, the Indian parliament declared Kashmir to be an inseparable part
(atootang) of India.
.Keeping in view the UN resolutions, Kashmir was a disputed territory. This.
decision of the Indian Parliament spurred revolt in Kashmir valley. Indians
used this situation as a pretext for attack on Pakistan. Another Indo-Pakistan
war took place in 1971. In 1999 both armies again confronted in Kargil
territory of Kashmir. The US intervened to make peace. Great number of
Indian forces is still present in Kashmir valley to suppress the freedom
movement; this is a great threat to Pakistan’s integrity.
Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act-2019:
On August 9, 2019 the Indian president signed an act of parliament titled
“Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act-2019″. This act stripped the state
of its special status under article 370 of the Indian constitution. This act
amounted to total violation of the Indian constitution as Indians had
internationally committed that Jammu and Kashmir was a disputed territory
and its future will be determined through plebiscite.
.By passing this act India violated her international commitments. This act of
Indian government stirred revolt in Kashmir. The Indian government imposed
curfew and committed all sorts of atrocities to suppress the revolt, but
situation in Kashmir is still out of control.
.The Kashmir issue has always been a source of confrontation between India
and Pakistan, but India is not ready to give Kashmir people their right of self-
determination. Kashmir is like Pakistan’s jugular vein.
.Geographically, Kashmir has always been a part of the area which is now
Pakistan. Above all, Kashmir is important for Pakistan due to its Muslim
identity. Peaceful atmosphere in Kashmir counts much for our defense and economic progress.