Before
we dig deep into the Kashmir issue, it’s important to have an understanding of
what is been happening to Kashmir and its people over a time span for at least
100 years till today.
Muslim suppression before
1947:
In 1941, British census of India revealed that Kashmir
registered majority of its population as 77% as Muslims, 20% Hindus and
remaining 3% as Buddhist and Sikhs. A Kashmiri as well as a Non-Muslim
journalist writes: “Poverty of Muslim masses is appalling, most of them are
laborers, working as slaves of Hindu landlords of the estate. For almost a
century until census, A Hindu elite had ruled over vast and impoverished Muslim
peasantry.’’
The
Glancy Commission publishes
a report in April 1932, highlighting the inequality of the Muslim population
and discusses the need for their adequate representation in the state's
services.
Kashmiri Muslims had no education nor had the awareness of their rights neither
had a political representation. They were mostly related to agriculture and
were oppressed by many Anti-Muslim laws including handing out death sentencing
for cow slaughters, Banning of Azaan, Closing down of Masjids as well as high
taxes by the Hindu and Sikh Elite rulers. Many movements against the maharaja
of Kashmir also took place by the Kashmiris but all were suppressed by use of
force later on.
 |
| (Indian paramilitary
soldiers during curfew in Srinagar, Kashmir, on Friday) |
1947-Partition of
Kashmir :
British rule did not only include India but also some
princely states such as Hyderabad and Kashmir were under their command and
supposed to pay them taxes as to remain in their affiliation. After the
partition of Pakistan and India, all these princely states were abandoned by
British rulers and had to make a choice whether they want to join Pakistan,
India or remain independent.
Hari Singh, Maharaja of Kashmir signed a standalone agreement and delayed the
decision to accede either into Pakistan or India but This Hindu leader and his
administration under influence of Indian government, imposed heavy taxation on
Muslim majority peasants initiated a rebellion against his forces and gained
controlled over almost the whole district followed by Muzaffarabad and Mirpur
take over by the same Kashmiri rebellion force which is mostly the recently
demolished soldiers from the World War II.
To claim its authority over Kashmir, several thousand tribesmen under the
command of Military leaders equipped with modern arms from Pakistan entered
into Kashmir to liberate it from Hindu’s Maharaja rule. Maharaja’s forces,
unable to withstand the onslaught and were on the verge of losing even
Srinagar, requested assistance from Indian military forces by signing
instrument of Accession and handing over defense, external affairs and
communication of Kashmir to Indian government even though majority of Muslim
population had an inclination towards joining Pakistan. Since then Indian
forces took charge of invaded Kashmir and blocking the interest of remaining
Kashmiri’s as well as their freedom. Pakistan was able to get hold of some
region known as Azaad Kashmir today and India took charge of Jammu Kashmir.
 |
| (Indian paramilitary
solders near their base camp in Kashmir, earlier this month.) |
United Nation intervened later on, deciding a public vote
out in Kashmir to decide its alliance but it never happened because it was
required from both Pakistan and India to withdraw their forces first which
didn’t happen either and led to three wars between India-Pakistan 1965, 1971
and 1999.
Today–A
verifiable contrast in Azad and Jammu Kashmir :
Pakistani administered Azad Kashmir has not faced any
rebellion till date and the administrative structure has been able to run the
state institutions smoothly and peaceful environment of Azad Kashmir prospering
with recent developments related to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor seems to
depict a more stabilized picture of better Azad Kashmir. Moreover, Recent
Elections in which Pakistan Muslim League (N) won by huge margin depicts a
sense that people accept Pakistan and owns it just like all Pakistanis.
 |
(A Kashmiri
protester facing off with Indian government forces in Srinagar)
|
In Contrary, Indian occupied Kashmir where the world has
been witnessing clashes between freedom fighters and Indian forces which most
often gives the death toll of Kashmiri’s as the headlines of every newspaper.
Seven lakh Indian armed personal has been deployed to control the situation.
The hundreds of videos and pictures are posted over the internet with tags of
brutality of Indian forces against Kashmiri’s. Curfews are everyday story.
Internet, transport and Communication networks are blocked, Leaders of Muslim
majority are captured for no reason, and Pakistani Flags are raised every now
and then. Kashmir
is subject to India’s Armed Forces Special Powers Act, or Afspa, which grants
the military wide powers to arrest, shoot to kill, occupy or destroy property.
The result is a culture of brutal disdain for the local population. The
difference is obvious. What Kashmiri’s want is obvious? Why freedom is such a
concern for them is obvious.
Do not forget to share your thoughts.
