Puzzling Politicians Of Kashmir
Prof N.K. Singh
Former Chairman International Airports Authority of India
Kashmir has been treated by its politicians as plaything with all kinds of permutations and combinations in determining its future. Recently, Farooq Abdullah, former chief minister of the state, made shocking statements upsetting the settled Indian position. He categorically wanted Pakistan occupied part of Kashmir to be given over to the Pakistan. He also said that the problem can’t be settled by India without talking to Pakistan. He also stressed on the grant of autonomy and retention of article 370 giving special status to the state. He never made this demand while being the CM of the state. But now and his son being out of power, they seem to be out to ferment crisis.
Kashmir ever since 1948 has been on the boil with seismic political rocks and religious explosions by insiders as well as from neighbouring country. What Kashmir stands for today? Where lays road sign of its future goal of development? Does Kashmir want to be terrorists’ citadel or tourists’ paradise? I think in spite of its unhittable craze for Wani type violence, it is by design a beautiful and peaceful paradise.
Today as it stands the accession of Kashmir with India is not complete without handing over the part with Pakistan and China to India. India may not demand both at once but giving up our legitimate claim on what we have and what we ought to have must be internationally accepted.
My assumption of beauty and spiritual mooring in the land is due to my knowledge of Shankarachariya’s meditation. Sufi Sarmad’s teachings, and its lakes full of Shikaras. Kashmir no doubt is what Firdausi described as Firdose. But after the advent of Mughals and rise of Aurangzeb, hatred was sown amongst people to make Hindus, Sunnis and Shias and others fight. Sarmad who lived in Kashmir was a sufi saint and teacher of Dara Shikoh, son of King Shah Jahan. He studied Upanishads and sufiism with Saramad.
The day he was captured by Aurangzeb, he was humiliated before the gate of Jama Masjid and beheaded. Killing a saint was not needed but for the charge that he could not recite full Kalma. He in fact stopped at Ya alla – which finally referred to only one super power. His failure to name Mohammed was the charge as he believed only in one power. He was virtually following vedantic monism.
When Maharaja Hari Singh acceded to India, it was full Kashmir including what now is occupied by Pak supported Mujahideen and Chinese in Aksai Chin. Present situation is that already a part has been conceded to China and a part is with Pakistan. Separatists of Kashmir are only in five districts of Kashmir. Out of three regions of Kashmir today in Jammu, Laddakh and valley, only the third last is majority Sunnis with separatists agenda. Worst macabre type event was the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits who left under threats and even after killings.
In no country of the world, a part of the country became refugee in its own country. Not only Pandits even Shia Muslims today are fearful of separatist violence. Once I was traveling to Varanasi and I happened to meet a burqa clad student traveling back home to Srinagar. When I asked her how is situation in back home. She told me that it is dangerous as Shia Muslims are being tortured by Sunnis. Kashmiri Pandits faced a massive forced exodus. They were threatened with letters telling that they will lose their children’s lives if they don’t leave the land which is for Muslims.
In above context how far justifiable is great idea of Farooq Abdullah that PoK should be conceded to Pakistan. Where is the talk of Azadi? It is shameful that even students in some universities make such slogans that go against interest of the country. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in his meetings in Kashmir has publicly accepted that situation in Kashmir has improved and become stable. In this atmosphere, panchayat elections are being held and that will be trial of peace in the valley.
Today as it stands the accession of Kashmir with India is not complete without handing over the part with Pakistan and China to India. India may not demand both at once but giving up our legitimate claim on what we have and what we ought to have must be internationally accepted.
Perhaps it was not right for us to run to the United Nations as it was essentially a bilateral issue which was accepted later in Shimla agreement. Pakistan too has come to believe that third party can’t do anything to get them Kashmir. There is, therefore, no go even for separatists that they can have a say.
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