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Jammu and Kashmir is considered an integral part of India. It was, in fact, a part of Indian sub-continent from years before the Independence as was Pakistan and Afghanistan. It was also involved in the war for Freedom, as was the case with the other countries that are not now in India, but still are a part of this sub-continent.
Few years before Independence, the Maharaja of Kashmir had enacted the State Subject Law in 1927, reserving all Government jobs for the original residents of the State besides forbidding sale, purchase or possession of immovable property by non-State subjects.
Meanwhile, Muslim youth in the state started political activities in the Valley under the banner of ‘Reading Room Clubs’. It was to support the cause of the educationally and economically backward Muslim community. On 21 June 1931, it was renamed the J&K Muslim Conference which later became J&K National Conference. This party supported the Indian National Congress in the Freedom struggle throughout. But as the sub-continent got Independence, the state was asked to join either India or Pakistan. The Maharaja, still wanted ‘Freedom’ and sent in a ‘stand-still’ proposal to both countries. This proposal asked for time for deciding the aggregation of the state into India or into Pakistan.
Pakistan accepted the proposal while India rejected it. However, the Pakistani tribes and military started moving towards J&K with an intention of taking it over by power. This horrified the Maharaja and he asked for help from Indian military forces, which was accepted on the clause that J&K would be a part of India and that the final decision should rest with the people of Kashmir.
This matter of Pakistani aggression was subsequently referred to the UN which proposed a ceasefire, ordered Pakistan to withdraw the tribals and to put its troops under the command of local civilian authorities, asked India to withdraw bulk of its troops, and the UN observers were to supervise the ceasefire. This proposal failed as both Pakistan and India reiterated their stand on J&K. As promised by India, the elections were held to decide the future of J&K in 1952 and granted it autonomy except for defense, foreign affairs and communications.
The Constituent Assembly formulated the constitution of the state which was adopted in 1956. The assembly ratified its accession to India. Sheikh Abdullah, the elected PM changed his stand after 1952 and started thinking in terms of an Independent Kashmir. He was put under detention. And succeeded by Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad as Prime Minister.
Following this, one of his lieutenants formed a separate Front in 1955 to fight for the plebiscite demand and the release of Sheikh Abdullah. Mirza Afzal Beg launched an offensive approach by instigating the people against India and with the release of Sheikh Abdullah, the Plebiscite Front began to spread its influence throughout the valley with Sheikh Abdullah reverting to open attacks against India and challenging the accession.
This boosted the spirits of Pakistan and it again used the tactic of 1947 to claim the state. Pak Troops began infiltrating the state in 1971 but the war had dire consequences resulting in further split of Pakistan. But during this period, there came several other so-called political parties that continued to misguide the Kashmiris to act against India. These misguided youth, under an impression that they are acting against India and not Kashmir, started inflicting harm on Kashmiris itself increasing the violence and de-establishing its economy.
Using this mentality of the Kashmiri youth, several terrorist organizations from around the globe started funding these activities. Rest is what we see today: Pak’s continued attempts to enter J&K; terrorism; and shattered economy in the state.
This analysis puts forth the following questions: For whose/what desires is this state being destroyed? What are the possible solutions to restoring normalcy? Is Kashmir under India? And, Kashmiris willing to be Indians?
As regards the unrest in Kashmiri youth, what I think is that proper education is the only resort that our goverment can take. This education should be able to guide not only adults but also the teens and children. Majority of people resort to such activites as they are with a blurred vision and clouded mind. Under such circumstances, anyone can be easily misguided. Proper education aimed at proper output can help reduce such unrest among the people. However, the government alone cannot achieve this goal. NGOs also should be involved as this involves mass scale teaching.
Generally Kashmiris are peace lovers. Post 1947 developments devasted the their identity.
It is their own responsibility to restore that again. I am keeping both Pandits and Islamic population at equaly responsible for the situation prevails today.
Secondly, in what way Sarkaria commissions proposals acceptance will give breath to the state? Autonomy I say.
Kashmiris would say themselves as Indians since their culture and geography heavily dependent on India, rather than Pakistan.
Since Azad Kashmir does not enjoy the same treatment as our side, Kashmiris certainly would like to be here. This is the prime reason for that violence has come down comparitively.
Even there is pleblicite on the status India would win handsdown as Pakistan itself is under heavy internal strife. Religion alone can not be an ideal-leading force behind life.This is the lesson what Pakistan has to learn from history.
Lastly, US and allies moved out their concerntration in terms of influence to other target areas as such Tibet and Nepal, etc.
Therefore, there is a solution before Kashmiris to embrace peace permanantely by going ’Indian’ way.
At the same time, honeymoon of Western countries with Muslim troublemakers, as India was always an eyesore for the West on account of her refusal to become a lacy of the West,was over in the post 9/11 days.
Unfortunately, a significant portion of the Indian bureaucracy too does not want the restoration of normalcy in the Kashmir Valley to continue enjoy the unaudited government money.
The time has come when the Kashmiri Muslim youth should come forward to invite each and every one from the rest of the country to visit the state as tourist, establish non-polluting industry and schools in the vale. And reap the harvest of prosperity. Already record number of tourists have started thronging the valley. Hotels are fully booked for months and months despite the paper threats from the separatists.
But at the same time, the people from the rest of India too should not demand proof of nationality from the Kashmiris. Moreover, the autonomy is not a dirty word. The Union government (Markaz in the eyes of Kashmiris) should grant more powers to all the states (not Jammu & Kashmir alone)in a true federal spirit and embark on the path of decentralisation in the right earnest.