Article No. 16
24/August/2019
Every political region wants autonomy for their
administration, especially in the case of disputed regions all over the world
i.e. Travancore in 1947, Catalonia in Spain, North Korea, Hong Kong etc. People
do not want to attach a string to the distant government rather than their own.
Nationalism is a commitment and dedication to their living land, its strength
is stronger than steel. Dedication and commitment are not possible to create by
Military power or force of guns. Democracy is not for a few people, but the
whole hearts of entire people for stable administration. This is the first step
for real growth and development.
Jammu and Kashmir is a state in India (It was a state
with special status – autonomous till August 5, 2019). It is located in the
northern part of the Indian subcontinent, and a part of the larger region of
Kashmir, which has been the subject of dispute between India, Pakistan, and
China since 1947. Internationally, Jammu and Kashmir is divided between India,
Pakistan and China as Indian Administered Kashmir (IAK), Pakistan Administered
Kashmir (PAK) and Chinese Administered Kashmir (CAK). Line of Control (LoC) is
divided between IAK and PAK. Line of Actual Control (LAC) is divided between
IAK and CAK. Political map of Jammu and Kashmir is differently published in
India and the rest of the countries. In maps in India, the whole Jammu and
Kashmir is the part of India. In maps of the rest of the world, Jammu Kashmir
is divided between India, Pakistan and China. It makes confusion among people
and spreading untruth about a fact.
Jammu and Kashmir consists of three regions: (a) the
Kashmir Valley, which accounts for 54.9% of the population of Jammu and
Kashmir, and 15.7% of the area; 96.4% of the Valley's population is Muslim; (b)
the Jammu Division, which accounts for 42.9% of the population of Jammu and
Kashmir, and 25.9% of its area; 62.5% of Jammu's population is Hindu, and 33.5%
Muslim; (c) and Ladakh, which accounts for 2.8% of the population of Jammu and
Kashmir and 58.4% of its area; Muslims constitute 46.6% of the population of
Ladakh, Buddhists 39.7%, and Hindus, 12.1%. Overall, in the state, Muslims constitute
68.31% of the population, Hindus 28.43%, Sikhs 1.87% and Buddhists 0.89%. Jammu
and Kashmir is one of the two administrative divisions of India with a
Muslim-majority population (the other being Lakshadweep).
Parliament of India passed two statutory resolutions
to recommend that the President issue a notification rendering Article 370
inoperative, and to accept the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Bill, 2019 on
August 5, 2019. It will reorganize the state into two union territories – Jammu
and Kashmir, and Ladakh, are planned to come into effect on 31 October 2019.
Aspirations of India
India’s aspirations on Kashmir is mainly concentrated
on political motives rather than the wish of the local peoples in Kashmir. It
is evidently understood in India’s stand on the intervention of a Mediator
outside India and Pakistan even in midst of Shimla agreement. The United States
of America, China, India and Pakistan are interested in affairs of the Kashmir
region.
Maharaja Hari Singh became the ruler of the princely
state of Jammu and Kashmir in 1925, and he was the reigning monarch at the
conclusion of the British rule in the subcontinent in 1947. Jammu and Kashmir
had a Muslim majority (77% Muslim by the previous census in 1941). Following
the logic of Partition, many people in Pakistan expected that Kashmir would
join Pakistan. On 22 October 1947, rebellious citizens from the western
districts of the State and Pushtoon tribesmen from the Northwest Frontier
Province of Pakistan invaded the State, backed by Pakistan. The Maharaja
initially fought back but appealed for assistance to India, who agreed on the
condition that the ruler accedes to India.
Under Article 370 of Indian Constitution, Jammu
Kashmir has its own constitution and the laws passed by Parliament were
applicable to the State only with the State Government’s concurrence. The
President was empowered to decide which provisions of the Indian Constitution
would be applicable with the state’s assent. Article 35A protected the laws
such as bar on outsiders buying property in the State and women marrying
non-Kashmiris losing their property rights. These special statuses could only
be altered on the recommendation of the Sadar-i-Riyasat (On the advice of
Ministers Council) or by ‘Constitution Assembly’. Now, President declared that
all provisions of Indian Constitution shall now apply to the State. The Jammu
and Kashmir Reorganization Bill, 2019 created two union territories of India –
Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
It was one of the prime promises of ruling political
party BJP in their previous general elections in this country. Hyper and
religious nationalism of BJP affected secular fabrics of the system of Indian
Government. The ruling party gained international support especially from the
USA and Israel, because of their common enemy factor. BJP successfully used
this opportunity to make political gain and redrawing history of India.
Aspirations of Pakistan
Aspirations of Pakistan also based on politically
motive. As it is a hot issue in Indian political vote bank, in Pakistan too.
Political leaders in Pakistan win their elections by igniting emotionally
motive Kashmir issue. They want to sensitize the issue for getting electoral
gains Pakistan politics. It is primarily evident from the press conferences of
political leaders in Pakistan and their relationship to separatists groups and
terrorists operating in this region. Even though Pakistan and the Kashmir
region are Muslim majority, their support to extremist groups in this region
unacceptable.
Shia Muslims who dominate the Kargil district in
western Ladakh are also unhappy with their inclusion in the new union territory
of Ladakh. The reaction among the Buddhists who dominate Leh, the eastern
Ladakh district, as well as among Jammu Hindus has been subdued owing to the
loss of their rights given by Article 35A.
Voice of people in Kashmir must be heard
Nationhood and patriotism cannot develop by force and
compulsion. It must come from the bottom of the heart of individuals in a
region. The imposition of nationhood and patriotism will eventually lead to an
unstable political situation in the respective area. People in Kashmir have
their own opinion about their Government formation and administration. No
external force is not required for setting up a political government on a group
of people.
By,
Nithin A F
Doing Post Graduation in Psychology
Thiruvanathapuram, Kerala.
Email : nithinaf@gmail.com
www.NithinAF.blogspot.com
24/August/2019
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