KASHMIR CONFLICT

KASHMIR CONFLICT

In this article we will discuss about the Kashmir Conflict. No doubt its a sensitive issue but a really important one. Everyone should have a complete factual knowledge on this issue, so we will discuss about : What is the issue?, What happened in past? The Wars fought between India and Pakistan, United Nation’s role in all this, Article 370 etc.

This article is completely based on facts gathered from different authentic sources.

INDIA PAKISTAN HISTORY: 

Kashmir region was a part of Mauryan Emp

ire. After Mauryan empire Kushans ruled the region. Kushans were Buddhist thats why Kashmir also became the centre of learning for Buddhism. The 4^th Buddhist Council was also organised in Kashmir by Kanishka. After Kushans various Hindu Dynasties ruled Kashmir(around 5^th – 14^th century).The famous sun temple of Kashmir known as Martand Sun Temple was also built in this period.

Around 14^th -16^th century Islam came into Kashmir; a lot of people converted to Islam and finally the King of Kashmir of that time also converted to Islam. This period is also known as The Sultanate of Kashmir.

Around 1586 Mughals  took control of Kashmir then Afghans attacked Kashmir in 1751(Durrani empire).

After some years in 1819 the Sikhs took control of Kashmir under the leadership of Ranjit Singh. But after some years Britishers  defeated Sikh Empire in First Anglo Sikh war (Ranjit singh was already dead at that time) and Britishers installed Dogra Rulers (in 1846) in Kashmir. These Dogras were actually the feudal lords (mainly in Jammu region) in Sikh Empire. They helped Britishers in defeating Sikh Empire and in return Britishers  gave them Kashmir as gift. However Maharaja Gulab Singh had to pay Rs.75 lakhs to Britishers. The Dogra dynasity ruled for 100 years after that.

During the time of independence Maharaja Hari Singh was the ruler of Kashmir and he decided to stay neutral in 1947(he neither wanted to go with India nor Pakistan).

Sheik Abdulla was one of the founders of National Conference Party of Kashmir. His vision was to make Kashmir a constitutional monarchy and led a struggle for self rule against Maharaja since 1931. He also had the complete support of Indian National Congress at that time.

EVENTS OF 1947:

1. Britishers divided India into two parts i.e. India and Pakistan.

2.  Pakistan’s leader Md. Ali Jinnah argued that according to the two nation theory (the basis for partition),the state of Kashmir with 77% Muslim Majority princely should join Pakistan.

3. Maharaja signed a Standstill agreement (status quo) with Dominion of Pakistan and was also going to do that with India but some incidents happened due to which a fight occurred.

4. Rebellion in Poonch area against the state police and army and to control the situation Maharaja’s army fired on some people who got killed and things got worse.

5. Communal violence in Jammu against Muslim.

6. Pakistan supported tribal Pashtun fighters from NWPF to invade the vale of Kashmir on 22 Oct.

7. Due to this attack Maharaja Hari Singh asked Indian govt. for help. Indian Govt. asked to accede in lieu.

8. Thus THE INSTRUMENT OF ACCESSION signed on 26 Oct. 1947. Maharaja took decision to accede in India.

6. Pakistan rejected this instrument saying it was under duress by an unpopular ruler, not representing the will of public.

The accession was regarded as provisional (temporary) until such time as the will of people can be ascertained.

NOTE : Here any ‘Plebiscite’ was NOT mentioned.

Sheikh Abdulla endorsed the accession. He was appointed the head of emergency administration by the Maharaja.

WAR OF 1947-48:

India sends its military to repel the attack and thus the first India-Pakistan/Kashmir war begins. The fighting took place at high altitudes like Kargil region.

Army pushes back the attackers to the northern areas. At that time of war a provisional ‘Azad Kashmir’ govt. formed in western areas, supported by Pakistan. They declared themselves as independent and later acceded in Pakistan.

ROLE OF THE UNITED NATION:

India went to UN in January 1948 to resolve Kashmir conflict.

United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) was constituted and a Security Council resolution was adopted.

RESOLUTION 47 OF THE UNSC

It contains 3 “Consequential” (first we have to take STEP 1 then Step 2) Non-binding steps:-

  

• Pakistan should withdraw all nationals and irregulars from Kashmir.
• India should withdraw its army and keep only a minimal force in the region (to establish law and order).
• A Plebiscite (popular vote of public) to ascertain the will of people.

But Pakistan didn’t withdraw forces and the stalemate continues.

On 2 July 1972 The Shimla Agreement was signed between India and Pakistan.

The main points of the agreement were:

“Both the countries will settle their differences by pieceful negotiations. No other country will be included in this ”

“The Ceasefire line of 1948 became the ‘Line of Control’; the de facto border (acts as international border).”

Also China has occupied Aksai Chin since 1962(Indo-China war).

To make better relations with China, Pakistan gifted The Trans-Karakoram Tract (Shaksgam valley)  to China in 1965

ARTICLE 370:-

Sheikh Abdulla was made PM (now this post is known as CM) of Kashmir in 1948 and headed the government.

Article 370 of Indian Constitution was framed to “temporarily” give few special allowances to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It was made to help the people of Kashmir so that they can maintain their uniqueness.

(I will discuss this in details in another article)

Some events that took place in upcoming years:-

 1953:  Sheikh Abdulla was removed from post of P.M. and jailed for next 11 years

1964: Sheikh released and talks with Nehru begin but the death of Nehru in May 1964 disrupts the talks.

1974: Indira-Sheikh Accords (Abdulla withdraws the demand of Plebiscite) – Sheikh becomes the Chief Minister.

1984: Indian Army takes control of Siachen Glacier.

MILITANCY IN 1990s:

It is said that the 1987 assembly elections were allegedly rigged to bring NC-INC combine to power.

Protests against the rigged elections led to strikes, protests and violence.

Pakistan took benefit of these protests and included his terrorist groups like Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front, Hizb ul mujaheedin in these protests due to whicha separatist insurgency started. Pakistan linked them to the cause of independence of Kashmir.

Young Kashmiris were sent across LoC and trained by militias and terrorist camps in PoK.

In January 1990, Kashmiris Pandits faced large scale violence and ethic cleansing from the extremists. They were threatened and forced to leave the valley en mass (2.5-3lakh pundits fled overnight).

Kashmiri Pandit was a prominent minority in Kashmir’s valley. They were at many high posts as they all were educated and rich. But they had to leave everything behind.

In 1987-90 Indian govt. was appointing a new governor Jagmohan and Farroookh Abdullah wasn’t ready for that. He resigned as Jagmohan was appointed by the centre and J&K was left ‘lawless’.

The militancy and violence led to the Govt. of India applying Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in J&K in 1990.

Throughout 1990s and early 2000s, heavy infiltration of terrorists and attacks occurred. In 2003 a LOC-Ceasefire agreement was signed between India and Pakistan

In 2004 the militancy subsided to an extent but still present(NOWADAYS IN SMALL EXTENT DUE TO THE ABROGATION OF ARTICLE 370)