Kashmir once an independent country last its independence when the last Independent Kashmir ruler Yusuf Shah Chak was invited in 1885 by the Mughal Emperor Akbar to Delhi. Akbar after facing two times defeat in the battle field, cheated the King of Kashmir and killed him mercilessly, took over the charge of Kashmir and extended his kingdom to the plains of Himalayas. In 1886 A.D Kashmir lost its independence. It is unfortunate that many times when the natives (Kashmiri) falling foul with their rulers invited the neighbouring Kings to sit on the throne of Kashmir. This character of Kashmiri people has caused a great damage to Kashmiri’s itself. Since 1586 people of Kashmir, Muslims and Non-Muslims launched movement of Quit Kashmir under different names. Mughals ruled Kashmir from 1586-1753 A.D, then Afghans ruled upto 1819 and Sikhs ruled from 1819-1846 A.D later. With the decline of Mughal Empire in India and the advent of British rule, J&K also came under the rule of British and before that it was ruled by Sikhs (1819-1846 A.D).
When Punjab and other states including J&K was taken by the British, they made Gulab Singh the Maharaja of J&K and gave it to Dogras on lease for the period of 90 years i.e., from 1846-1936 A.D. and in turn charged the sum of rupees 40 lakhs to the Dogras. It should be noted that Gulab Singh did not buy or own J&K but he was dependent on British Govt as records suggest (Treaty of Amritsar, March 14, 1946). British Govt would declare the next King in Kashmir as that was their policy in the early conquest of India (Doctrine of Lapse). In the year 1925 A.D, Maharaja Hari Singh became the ruler of J&K state and introduced a series of reforms in the field of education, economy and social infrastructure. Kashmiri people especially Kashmiri Pandits launched a movement known as ‘Kashmir for Kashmiris’. Due to result of this movement, Mahraja Hari Singh passed a Law on 31 January, 1927 known as ‘STATE SUBJECT LAW’ imposing restrictions on the entry of non-Kashmiris into govt services, and on the sale of agricultural land to them. Kashmiri Muslims organised themselves into a group calling it the ‘MUSLIM CONFERENCE’, and started functioning from Lahore. In 1930, Sir Mohammad Iqbal, himself a Kashmiri Muslim had suggested a thesis of PAN-ISLAM, that is union of Frontier Provinces, Baluchistan, Sindh and Kashmir as Muslim State within a federation.
In 1931 Modern Kashmiri’s Freedom Movement was born when Dogra police opened fire (on 13th , July 1931) in front of central jail Srinagar and killed 21 people on the spot. The episode of 13th July 1931 is : On 19th April, 1931 after the Eid prayer (at Jammu) Imam Munshi M.Ishaq was stoped by Dogra police inspector Bapu Kheem Chand on the direction of DIG Choudhary Ram Chand to deliver the religious speech. This act created panic among the Muslims of Jammu and it spread throughout J&K. People of J & K (Muslim) protested against the dogra govt and demanded an action against the police officer. The leaders of J & K (Muslim) realized the importance of the issue, assembled together at Khan-Kahi Moulla (Srinagar) and started a powerful campaign against dogra rule. In a short speech Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah emphasized on unity of leaders and requested Kashmiri pandits to participate in the freedom struggle. After the program was over a young non-local man named Abdul Qadeer came in front of the stage and delivered a speech against dogra rule. He had met Sheikh Abdullah several times earlier and was willing to participate in the freedom struggle of the muslims against dogra rule but he was not allowed to join. Earlier Major Ebet and Abdul Qadeer were participating in the programs organized by the Kashmiri muslim leaders against the Dogra rule. They gathered the information and passed that on to dogra rulers. Abdul Qadeer was arrested and keeping in view the interest of the people in the case, Govt ordered to decide his case in central jail Srinagar.
On 12the July 1931 people protestedagainst the shifting of case to central jail. On the next day a large number of people came to central jail and some of them wanted to go inside the jail in order to watch the proceedings of the case. After a long discussion with the jail authorities only few persons were allowed to go inside. Meanwhile after prayer governor Tirlok Chand came to central jail and on seeing people he was astonished. He ultimately repeated the history of General Dyer and ordered to fire. On the spot 17 people were killed and 5 seriously injured who later died due to blood loss. When the news of killing of 22 people and a number of wounded people in central jail spread people came out of their homes, traffic movement was halted and the martyrs wounded were taken in procession to Jamia masjid Srinagar. On the way near graveyard Rainawari dogra police tried to snatch the dead bodies.
Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah writes in his book ‘when I reached a seriously wounded person before closing his eyes told me that I have completed my duty now it is your duty to continue freedom struggle’. Dogra police cordoned Jamia masjid and it was decided on the next day with the permission of Nawab Khusroo Jang that the martyrs will be buried at Naqashband Sahib. Leaders including Sheikh Abdullah were arrested. Moulvi Yousuf Shah offered funeral prayer of the martyrs. The official record shows that 150 people died due to this disturbance and actual death was more. The fight of the people of Kashmir was not against any individual but against a system at large.
The 13 July 1931, has importance for letting the world know about the brutalities the Muslims of the J&K state were suffering at the hands of autocratic rulers. Five days later the incident was reported by the Muslim press of Lahore and it had sent shocking waves not only in Kashmiri community living in Punjab but entire Muslim population. There are records about Muslims in many parts of India taking out processions against the Dogra ruler in the state and it is in fact these protests in different parts of India that made the British to intervene in Kashmir affairs. In 1933, Choudhary Rahmat Ali developed the idea of Iqbal at Cambridge by advocating a separate homeland for Muslims. In 1938 Sheikh Abdullah named Muslim Conference as National Conference. In 1939 Mahraja Hari Singh formulated the J&K constitution. In 1940 Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan visited Kashmir on the invitation of Sheikh Abdullah. In 1945 Pandit J.L.Nehru, Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad visited Kashmir and in 1946, Mohammad Ali Jinah visited Kashmir. In May 1946, Sheikh Abdullah put forth the slogan of ‘Quit Kashmir’ almost equating Quit Kashmir with that of ‘Quit India’ movement. Sheikh Abdullah and his colleagues were arrested. On June 17, 1947, the Indian independence Act was passed by British Parliament mandating transfer of power to two newly created dominions vis; India and Pakistan. On 14 and 15th August 1947 British declared India and Pakistan as Independent states.
A number of problems surfaced in the State of J&K because of numerous visits of Lord Mount batten (viceroy of India), Mohammad Ali Jinah, Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit J.L.Nehru and other politicians. In 1947 there was no question of J&K becoming part of India. At that time also Kashmiris should have been given right to self determination (Plebiscite), but it did not happened till date. It was the British ruler who divided India into two parts and left the destiny of J&K unsettled.
On 15th August 1947 there was a ‘Stand Still’ agreement between Govt of Pakistan and Prince of J&K Maharaja Hari Singh. On October 15, 1947 M.C. Mahajan was appointed as Prime Minister of J&K and Mahraja Hari Singh offered hand of friendship to India and Pakistan. On October 20, 1947 Bakshi Tek Chand, retired Judge of Punjab High Court was appointed to frame the constitution of the independent J&K state. On 30 October 1947, the tribal people of Pakistan called Qabalis entered Kashmir to capture J&K. They were 10 kms away in the area of Shalteng from capturing the city Srinagar. Maharaja left the Kashmir and sought timely help from India to throw out Pakistani Qabalis from Kashmir. India didn’t offer him help and sought permission of the leader of the state. The prominent leader of Kashmir at that time was unfortunately Sheikh Abdullah and he waved the green flag to Indian Army to enter Kashmir. On 27th October, 1947 Indian troops landed in Kashmir. This was a selfish and dishonest move from the leader on whom the people of Kashmir had so much of trust and faith.
On July 7, 1948 UNCIP arrived subcontinent with a delay of 76 days and on August 13, UNCIP adopted resolution which was a draft agreement between India and Pakistan. On Jan. 1, 1949 there was a ceasefire between Indian and Pakistani forces but Pakistan controlled 84000 sq kms of J&K. Thus J&K was divided into two parts. On June 9, 1949 Hari Singh abdicates in favour of his son Maharaja Karan Singh. On October 17, 1949 Indian Constituent Assembly adopts Article 370 of the Constitution,i.e., provision of Article 238 (India) shall not apply in relation to the state of J&K and power of Indian parliament to make laws for J&K state shall be limited. A common person thinks Article 370 as a marriage bond between India and Kashmir, if it breaks relation breaks. In 1951, under states own authority first elections were held. Kashmir was allotted 43 seats, Jammu 30 and Ladakh 2 seats. At that time Sheikh Abdullah’s reputation was very high among the people so he won. India got doubted about Sheikh Abdullah’s intention regarding plebiscite, while accusing him of conspiring with foreign powers to establish independent J & K. On 9 August 1953, Prime Minister of J&K (Sheikh Abdullah) was arrested in Gulmarg and G.M.Bakshi was appointed the new Prime Minister of Jammu & Kashmir. In 1957 and 1962 elections G.M.Bakshi was declared winner. On October 20, 1962 China illegally occupied some parts of Ladakh. In 1963 G.M.Bakshi resigned, Shamasuddin succeeded Bakshi as Chief Minister (C.M) of Jammu & Kashmir. This was also the end of Autonomy of J&K (Head of Govt. and state was named as Chief Minister and Governor).
On December 27, 1963 there was a mass upsurge in the valley on disappearance of the Holy Relic from Hazratbal Shrine and on March 1, 1964 G.M. Sadiq succeeded Shamasuddin as Chief Minister of J&K state. On April 8, 1964 Sheikh Abdullah was released and conspiracy against him was withdrawn. On August 5, 1965 Pakistan attacked Kashmir and on September 23, 1965 India and Pakistan declared ceasefire. On January 10, 1966 there was a Tashkent declaration i.e., India and Pakistan will work for the welfare of the people of both the countries. In 1967 elections in J&K were held, G.M. Bakshi himself fell in the pit he dug for others. It was now congress’s turn to enjoy what he had earlier enjoyed. On December 3, 1971 India and Pakistan clashed on Western front and Bangladesh was created. On December 12, 1971 G.M. Sadiq died in Chandigarh and Syed Mir Qasim become Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir. In 1972 elections were held and congress was made to win. On July 2, 1972 Shimla agreement was signed i.e., India and Pakistan will resolve Kashmir dispute through bilateral talks. On November 13, 1974 Indira Abdullah accord was signed. Later in the year 1975 Sheikh Abdullah was appointed as C.M of J&K by Mrs Indira Gandhi, India’s Prime Minister. For the sixth time in 1977 elections were held and National Conference win. On 21 August 1982 Sheikh Abdullah passed the party presidency to his son Dr. Farooq Abdullah and on 8th September 1982, he expired. No matter he died as a satisfied or dissatisfied man majority of people blindly supported him till his death.
History witnessed that Sheikh Abdullah at the cost of Kashmir was able to earn high positions in the government for his wife, son, son-in-law relatives and friends. On 14 September 1982 Dr. Farooq Abdullah became Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir. After 8 months ,i.e., in 1983 7th time elections were held and National Conference was declared winner. On February 11, 1984 a kashmiri freedom fighter Mohammad Maqbool Bhat (Chief of JKLF) was hanged in Tihar jail (India). His dead body like that of last kashmiri king Yousuf Shah Chak & M.Afzal Guru was not handed over to his family. In July 3, 1984 India threw Dr. Farooq Abdullah out and called him immature while giving his position to his brother-in-law G.M.Shah. On April 6, 1984 Jagmohan was appointed as Governor of J&K. On March 1986 Shah govt was dissolved.
In 1987 8th election was held and Dr Farooq stitched the agreement with Congress. In this election Muslim United Front (MUF) combination of many parties also participated in the election with a large public support. Many Hurriyat leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Syed Salah- Ud-Din, Yaseen Malik, Ishfaq Majeed, Abdul Hamid Sheikh, Mushtaq-Ul-Islam, Qazi Nisar, Hekeem Rashid and many others participated in this election. People lost faith in elections completely. This was perhaps a big mistake from the govt of India to support National Conference at that time. With the support of Pak Administered Kashmir (PaK) on May 2, 1988 armed struggle started with bomb blast and selective killings here and there. On July 11, 1989 Gen. K.V. Krishna Rao was appointed as new Governor of J&K and on Jan. 19, 1990 Jagmohan was again appointed Governor and Farooq Government was dismissed. In March 1990 kashmiri Pandits (a part of Kashmir history) were forced to leave Kashmir by the enemies of kashmir. Lakhs of people got killed under AFSPA, fake encounters etc since 1989. Some great personalities like Kashmir University V.C Hon’ ble Mushir ul Haq, Mirwaiz Maulvi Farooq, HMT Gen Manager H.L.Khera, Professor Wani, Lassa Koul, Qazi Nisar etc lost their lives. People of Kashmir are feeling helplessness first time in the history of Kashmir as witnessed by recent civilian killings. A common person says govt is busy in beating people at their choice without any discrimination between criminal or honest. In 1996, 2002, 2008 and 2014 elections were held as usual. People say, Good governance, fair administration and autonomy are different from freedom (Azadi). People give the human rights the first priority, economy, infrastructure etc come only when the people have a sense of serenity and security. India and Pakistan have fought four wars directly or indirectly over the disputed state of J&K, since their independence from British in 1947. They also conducted tit-for-tat nuclear weapons. India has been making efforts for the last 70 years so that the Kashmiri people will forget the freedom name especially the youth. The biggest proof of Kashmir’s disputed status is that India’s first Prime Minister (Pandit Nehru) himself took it to the United Nations for arbitration and the UN resolution passed on this count are extant in the Security Council Charter. Kashmir issue is not just a political issue. It is neither an administrative nor a border dispute. It’s essentially a human issue concerning the future of 1.25 crore souls. The people of J&K want an acceptable, honourable, and durable solution of J&K problem that may be even different from military or UN resolution.
(The authors regularly write for “ Kashmir Horizon”. Their views are personal)