India and Kashmir’s special status

1. دنیا کا سب سے بڑا سوئمنگ پول لاہور میں
   دیکیھئے ویڈیو میں http://goo.gl/6Cjl1g

   شادی نہ کرنا ورنہ پچھتائو گے
   دیکھئے ویڈیو میں http://goo.gl/FfQaM0

   بچٹ میں کیا مہنگا اور کیا سستا http://goo.gl/iIHiXk

   شارخ خان کی ٹیم جیت گئی
   دیکیھئے ویڈیو میں
   http://goo.gl/o3nNE8

   غزیب عوام کے لئے لڑ رہا ہوں طاہرالقادری
   دیکیھئے ویڈیو میں

   http://goo.gl/vSwbrt

   راولپنڈی میں عورت کا دوبچوں سمیت قتل
   دیکیھئے ویڈیو میں

   http://goo.gl/bGfoTx

   • Where is secularism in India? Before putting this question dear, madam Yasmeen do some introspection regarding the type of secularism Practised by Muslim Majority Regions eg Kasmir, Saudi, Pakistan etc!

2. Modi will follow his party agenda and this is right time for India to withdraw special status of J & K. There is unipolar world with USA as a lone super power which herself not only believes in "Might is right" policy but is implementing it in letter and spirit. The neighboring country, Pakistan has the most timed government which is all out to appease India because of the financial/business interests of our present ruling elite class. So in such a conducive environment Mr Narindra Modi will not delay this for a second.

3. Very informative piece. Thanks for sharing. By the way, why do I see similarity between Modi's Akhand Bharat and Netanyahu's greater Israel.

4. Sleep is important. Duh!
   Professor Bhatt I hear you loud and clear!
   Whither Secular India?

5. Yasmeen Ali, there are couple of inaccuracies in your op-ed as a result of sensational news reporting that your sources would have done. I have no love lost for the right-wingers of any religion but there was never a demand for a ban on Fajrazaan. Local laws in most states in India forbid the use of loudspeakers before a certain time in the morning to reduce noise pollution. Religious organisations (of all hues) flout the ban quite openly. The demand was for the enforcement of the ban on early morning calls for prayers from Mosques

6. Article 370 has been in the firing line of BJP since inception. However, NDA/BJP does not have enough numbers in the parliament to do anything about it, nor does it rule the state of J&K (any such changes can only be done with the consent of the state). What we are witnessing is some sabre-rattling on all sides.

   • Samir Gupta NDA/BJP does not have enough numbers in the parliament to do anything about it,but the emphasis on this at the onset of coming to power reflects an unwanted mindset.They may not have the numbers here but imagine what havoc may be wrought where they do. BJP needs to overcome this limited approach tendency for India's sake, Cheers!

     • Completely in agreement with you Yasmeen Ali

7. Instead of focusing on the past, we need to look forward. I can assure you that we will never have leaders who will be acceptable to all sides. If our prime ministers are making overtures of peace, we need to rally behind them

8. I am all for the banning of loudspeakers…

9. I too am in favour of banning the loudspeakers. I was in India two months back, and near our house in Pune (Maharashtra) we have 2 mosques. Just imagine both the mosques at 6 am in the morning with their loudspeakers at full volume…. It was inhumane.. a torture that I faced for the whole month that I was in India… Imagine living with this for the whole of your life…

   • Reasoning does not work with Muslims. For them religion is as much a matter of following (more show-off than real) as much harassing non-Muslims. So learn to live with it.

10. Incisive & to the point as usual.Definitely a must read –

11. Thanks Yasmeen for very well researched and informative columns.

12. I am pleased with this article. Yasmeen Ali sahiba this once a burning issue has been resolved to a closure since 2004. Britsh Media had given all the practicality of various new states in Jammu and Kashmir on the religious groups. Jammu for Hindus Main Valley for Muslims. Buddhist north of state Muzafarabad kashmir Northern areas. Etc. If my memory is not hazy this decision has been taken by masters. It's just timetable that we have to wait and watch. Article 370 Made Sh. Abdullaha into Sher e Kashmir from ghader e kashmir. Long time in Jail. Then came to Pakistan in 1964 I remember vividly meeting him in Rawalpindi several times and had to rush back to New Delhi to join the funeral rites of late Pandit Nehru. Now 3rd generation as rulers of Kashmir. Wao Lucky. I could search the archive Options for Kashmir

13. This article is out of context, out of perspective – this is also why liberals were always wrong on Modi

14. The change of governance in India is being eyed with a degree of scepticism and distrust by a majority of the media in Pakistan. The rise of Narendra Modi and the Rashtriya Swayam Sewak Sangh are all perceived as hard core Hindu groups which to an extent can be considered as appropriate but considering it as a threat to Pakistan or a major setback to the future of a cordial bilateral relationship may not be the right or appropriate manner of assessing this political development. Kashmir has really not be the issue that has affected bilateral relationship between the two neighbours but has simply been used as a whipping boy to serve the vested political interests of persons holding office in the two countries. The 'K' issue has neither benefited India nor Pakistan hence efforts should now be made to resolve this archaic issue by finding a viable solution. As had once been suggested accepting the 'Line of Control' [LOC] as the defacto international boundary by the two neighbours would be laying to rest the issue once and for all. As regards the issue of aspirations of the people of Kashmir the people of that state like those of any other state or province as the case may be want economic betterment, employment and a better quality of life. The biggest enemies of humanity are poverty and unemployment to be further infected by corruption and law and order problems. Terrorism and religious fundamentalism; the ugly political aberrations of modern times; whether nomenclature as 'Freedom Movement' need to be put an end to with a heavy hand. This applies to Kashmir as well as states like Balochistan.

15. A host of recent developments have been defined as surprising. These should not have been. Hinduism and Hindus have suffered some of the worst genocides and attempts at total physical elimination over the past 1000 years. What the fundamentalist Muslims and/or the militant Muslims do not understand is that the survival of a major fraction of the Hindus, despite genocidal assaults, caste divisions, mass conversions, and one sided hypocritical narrative of Hindu liberals, who closed their eyes to Islamic genocides, but did not let a single incident of caste conflicts go unreported or uncondemned, came from the evils in the fundamental structure of the Muslims, which wreaked havoc, allowing bold and aggressive Hindu groups like Marathas picking up the pieces. This is most directly apparent in the Shia Sunni divisions, which are showing their true colors in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and now Syria. I understand from my Shia friends that the real, severe and possibly terminal damage to the long term future of Muslims came from two things : a spate of brutal, unjust and borderline genocidal killings of Imam Ali, poisoning of Imam Hassan and killings of Imam Hussein and his small band of dedicated followers in Karbala so brutally in Karbala within less than 50 years of Islam's founding, and last but not the least, Muhammad's (PBUH) marriage to a 9 year old girl, when he was already an old man. These two sets of events have introduced slow but possibly terminal doubts within the minds of people, Recent events like the killings of almost a million Shiites since 1979 in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and even in Gilgit and Baltistan, and the ongoing savagely brutal war going on in Syria, have not helped. In India, upwards of 40 % of the Muslims are Shias. And guess who did they vote for – BJP and Narendra Modi. Despite the founder of Pakistan being a Shia. Hence Syed Ali Shah Geelani notwithstanding, Lashkar-e-Toiba notwithstanding, Hindu and Western liberals and pseudo-liberals notwithstanding, Russian, US and Chinese support to Pakistani Army notwithstanding, the long term prognosis of Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Gilgit and Baltistan, where the population is 90 % Shia, is poor. Majority of these areas will be taken over by India sooner or later.

16. A golden opportunity to revoke special status of Kashmir when the lone super power herself implementing "Might is right" policy by twisting arms of Iran, Iraq and Syria and most timed and clueless political leadership in Pakistan which is obsessed with their family business interests and economic fortunes. Modi Sarkar will implement this before USA withdraws from Afghanistan as India has already proved her regional status by organizing coronation ceremony of Narinder Singh Modi and ordering all heads of states/ govts of SAARC countries to be present there. By not meeting APHC's leaders NS has abandoned the cause of Kashmiris.

17. Calm down as Kashmir is least bothered. The rhetoric about 370 is just another ploy to create a fear psychosis using Gujarat supremo's monster image to see the reaction of Kashmir. Hoping against hopes to hear voices pleading for maintaining the status-quo. The fact remains that the orchestrated uproar from Punjab to Tamil Nadu will not change the ground reality which is that the fight will go on till Kashmir achieves independence from India. India wiped our two generations we are ready to sacrifice another two to see the back of last Indian soldier.

18. Strange thing is that nobody talks about the Chinese-administered regions of Aksai Chin and the Trans-Karakoram Tract that was also a part of Kashmir –

    • Not really -The Gilgit Agency as such which covered the north and north east-was under the British,and Administratively under NWFP till 01 Aug 1947.When it was handed over to Brig.Ghansara Singh the newly appointed Governor of the region of Dogra rule with just one Unit-6th J & K RiflesReza Yusuf

      • rue Sir but these two areas are still disputed between India and China

        • And least we forget-sir- the Aqua Bombs which have been built-back to back on the main Chinab River and its tributaries are almost ready-and work on Indus main are under-way-Kargil Dam will the third largest- in the world-The Water Strangulation phase will start-soon.I am sure that will awake us from our slumber.

19. Reza Yusuf-The region was like the empty quarters of Arabia-though one of the old silk routes passed through it-and when Khotan[Ilchi] was the Buddhist Centre and What is now called Hunza country was called [Kunjut] this route was in regular use-but was not a populated region due to extreme climate- later when muslim Conquests of Kashghar come the Buddhist centre shifts to Lhasa.8th century AD

20. Article 370 means it was not a permanent handover, and can be revoked by J&k government.
    2. Northern areas were not a part of J&K and 370 is not applicable.

21. True Sir-I have given all references above-Our Foreign Office played its own game-Ignorance being the key word here-lol-What is now G-B should have been inducted as the fifth province after 1947-taking cue from the Referendum held in NWFP ending 17 July 1947-As i have quoted above Gilgit Agency was only handed to the Dogra ruler on 01 Aug 1947.Kashmir by itself is JUST 84 MILES LONG & 24 MILES WIDE-rest are the outer districts attached with itTariq J Qureshi

22. Gilgit & Baltistan were never part of J&K.

23. Why Pakistan has not given GB a province status?

24. Dood Question Musadaq Zulqarnain-We still have a long Tribal Belt between Lower punjab and Balluchistan-what to say of Tribal areas or FATA -Our incompetent lot still adhere to the Administrative boundaries even at Tehsil levels or District level left by the British-No reforms were ever done-only Tehsils which had a population growth became districts-

25. Naveed Tajammal Tribal Areas have enjoyed that special status since long but GB has been agitating and demanding a Provincial Status. Then why it has never been even considered. FATA is in fact represented in Parliament but GB. like AJK has no representation. I am wondering if there is any thing relating to Kashmir which prevents Pakistan to merge GB.

26. To give you a insight about the region-sirTariq J Qureshi-In 1882, fresh disturbances had been created by the ruler of upper Kaskar State, Pahlawan Bahaduar, who ruled Yasin, Kuh, Ghizer and Ashkuman ranges and lands, Hunza and Nagar inclusive, Mir Ali Mardan Shah held WAHKHAN,AND WAS ALSO RESISTING the Afghan writ, both got removed. Phalwan Bahadaur lost his state, while MIR Ali Mardan Shah, was compensated with Ashkuman,and so in 1906,Yasin,Kuh,and Ghizer were made in one district.

27. Mehtar Abdur Rehman, the eldest son of( Late) Pahelwan Bahadaur, made its ruler. However Hunza,Nagar and Chilas, old territories of the late ruler were made independent of Kashmir ruler, vide Foreign Department letter number.1800 dated 24 July 1901.with express orders that, no official of Kashmir had any Suzerainty, over them, and were forbidden to interfere directly in their internal Administration, as they came directly under the Foreign office of the British Empire.

28. Technically there is No logic to bind GB with Kashmir-it is a self defeating argument followed by our stupid bureaucrats-I have quoted enough references above from extracts of British Indian empires records given in their Foreign office annals Musadaq Zulqarnain. Old Name of Chitral is 'Kaskar'

29. Was GB under the sovereign control of Mahraja Hari Singh at the time of Independence?

30. Read my comments above-Till 01 Aug 1947-It was under NWFP-if you recall a referendum-was held spread between 08 july to 17 july in NWFP seeking willingness of people within Administrative boundaries of NWFP all agreed enmass to Opt for Pakistan-That should suffice as an Answer-Do read the sequence of comments given by me aboveMusadaq Zulqarnain,

31. OK got you. In any case the bottom line is, who cares about the legalities etc. Its the game of powerful. And these days its economic power and alliances. Pakistan has none unfortunately owing to so many factors we all know. Now whether we have a case or not, whether Kashmiris have a case or not doesn't matter unfortunately. Lets concentrate to build our economic strength and regain some respectability on the International scene if we want to save rest of Pakistan.

32. Well said Musadaq Zulqarnain-such has been our misfortune-but the actual kettle drums will Roll when india shuts off the water supply or diverts it-watch what happens in the 9 canal colonies-which are totally dependent on these waters-

33. Can you comment on the assertion (or fact) that Maharaja Hari Singh offered a Standstill agreement to Both India and Pakistan, where Kashmir would have stayed independent and Pakistan accepted the proposal and India withheld.

34. Yes Naveed Tajammal that is coming… first thanks to the Field Marshal and then in a cation by subsequent governments and compounded by the fact that owing to our myopic policies we have reduced Pakistan to a level of economic strength, where no one cares about us unless we are ready to sell more bases to them and that too at their conditions and if they need it

35. When Kashmir was being given to Pakistan by his[hari singh's] Masters-Nehru and Patel-our founding fathers refused- remember there were 545 other more powerful states within India-each was handled by the both above mentioned- Musadaq Zulqarnain-

36. thanks and I understand your point of view. My question remains was such an offer made to Pakistan ( to let Kashmir stay as an independent state – a 3rd country ) and accepted by Pakistan formally.

37. 3rd country status has complex implications. It will not go that easy

38. I am just trying to verify the historic fact that, this is what Maharaja offered and Pakistan accepted.

39. There are a lot of versions circulating on this-aspect-some even say that even the accession to india document is not true-anyway Do recall our Armed columns were in Srinagar in the first week of November 1947Musadaq Zulqarnain

40. Naveed Tajammal our problem is that the special status of Kashmir under Art 370 drives its origin from the Instrument of Accession attached to above letter and which is again an Indian version. If that goes, the reason for Art 370 goes

41. Look who has he appointed the national security advisor? Watch what Dr Shahid Masood said about this man in 'Live with Dr. Shahid Massod' program.

42. In pursuance to above Musadaq Zulqarnain-[1] on accepting Hari singhs accession document lord mountbatten had stated- “it is my Government's wish that as soon as law and order have been restored in Jammu and Kashmir and her soil cleared of the invader the question of the State's accession should be settled by a reference to the people.
    [2] Lord Mountbatten’s remark and the offer made by the Government of India to conduct a plebiscite or referendum to determine the future status of Kashmir led to a dispute between India and Pakistan regarding the legality of the accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India.
    [3] India claims that the accession is unconditional and final while Pakistan maintains that the accession is fraudulent.

43. Our case before the UN's National Council was incorrectly represented by Sir.Zaffarulah khan- our ignorant bureaucrats.insisted on calling these regions as Northern Area's-It was a wrong stance of a demented Zaffarullah our Foreign minister-He failed to do his homework-these so called Northern Areas were never part of Dogra state-The GB regions should have been made the integral part of West Pakistan on 14 Aug 1947-Even the master bureaucrats like Iskandar mirza and Mushtaq Gurmani did not verify facts-GOP still calls the region-Disputed territory,

44. There is reference in the write up above regarding on Sanjeev Bhatt, senior intelligence officer, having deposed in Supreme Court asking for protection etc. I wonder if the writer has gone through various interviews of Narendar Modi to afford him an opportunity as to what he says of all such allegations against him. Unless this is done no substantial justice could be rendered to any one. As far I have gone through his various interviews, when confronted he replied saying that the courts had given him clean chit. Of course court when gave its verdict must have also examined the deposition of Sanjeev Bhatt as well. Apart from it a country of gigantic size of India, the second most populous in the world, with all multi ethnic, cultures, languages, religions, castes etc., it could be quite likely that some riots broke out and damages with collateral caused. But here again we have to see how many times it had happened and what was the quantum of loss. In Gujarat for example, it is said that about 2000 people killed mostly muslims. Now we have to compare this with conditions prevailing in neighboring Pakistan which is six times smaller in size and population than India and unlike multi religious India is dominated by Muslim population. Still we see the death and destruction in proportion much larger in quantum than India with blasting whole mosques full of believers, Imambargahs, religious gatherings of Muharram or Eid Milad, shrines, markets, schools, madressahs, hospitals, government offices and installations etc., targeted, sectarian and ethnic killings, ransom apart. The people behind such heinous acts are not unknown but they promptly acknowledge and claim to have carried out carnage and turned out to be of same faith of Islam themselves. We in Pakistan have far greater problems, violence, hate, death and destruction dancing in our cities and towns on any pretext even destroying our own places of worship or heritage while comparatively in India we find despite muslim in minority, their places of worship, heritage, historical monuments, shrines are intact, well preserved, maintained, safe and secure.

45. Hence for all ills to blame Narinder Modi only, I regret, is unjust. Even otherwise immediately after his record triumph in elections with overwhelming majority as PM of world's largest democracy, while taking over the reigns of the country starting with swearing in despite all hate raising fingers towards him as militant or hardcore religion minded person, he showed every humbleness, respect, civilized behavior when invited all neighbors including Pakistan to participate in the event. Hence he came out tall and made a good beginning and stretched the hand of friendship, understanding, tolerance, peace, forgiveness and to live and let live and let us not miss this ideal opportunity to come together to bury the hatchet of hate, death and destruction. We should keep all these positive gestures in mind and try to promote peace, goodwill and brotherhood by picking common thread. After all we belong to same sub-continent having lived for thousand years together sharing common cultures, languages, heritages, customs, joys, sorrows, likes and dislikes and should be mindful that India is still home to muslims more than lived in Pakistan and have no problems. Further when India with all other muslim countries of the world about 56 has no problem and have best of relations with them all even including Afghanistan, Iran and Bangladesh or Saudi Arabia itself, why Pakistan should behave differently. We have examples in the world like EU, GCC etc., or the US itself forming a country in combination of several states and why not that example can work in sub-continent. Let the sanity prevail here also for the betterment, peace, welfare, happiness, progress, prosperity, safety and security of billions of people living in sub-continent to be tolerant and compassionate to each other. The writer, if she enjoys command on pen, is advised to strive to achieve that goal in the direction of cohesion for the larger interest of mankind.

    • One more thing that I missed and if not included would not meet ends of justice that in recent interview on 16th May, 2014 to the Editor, 'Times Now, when asked a question, Narendra Modi said in reply that people from India left for different parts of world on various considerations and may have lived for 100 or 150 years like in Africa etc. When they were threatened and troubled they approached seeking where should they go. Continuing he said that he did not mind which color of passport they were carrying, but as long as their color of blood was the same as that of Modi, they are welcome in India. I think this is the magnanimity of the man and he deserve to be given due credit of such thoughts.

46. India was never a Secular Country, before its Independence the Hindu leaders along with Britishers ( The actual architect of this Plot against Muslims) beautifully planned to get away from Muslim population's possible strong hold in Assemblies by crating Pakistan and weakening Muslims' Political Positions and making their loyalties doubtful towards Hindus and India forever. India was created as a Hindu State and Modi's victory proves it after 65 years of its creation. What does this shows that the creation of Pakistan was not a conspiracy against Muslims of undivided India and The Muslim Ummah at large. Killing many birds with one stone!!!!!.

    • True India never was a secular nation. If it was, there would have been no need of creating Pakistan.
      But, one talks of their Claim to be one.
      Warm Regards

47. YAA I am not close to legal fraternity. So I will seek your opinion.
    Say if India proceeds to take steps for repealing art 370 – what could
    be the reaction of Pakistan? Protests and max take the issue to the
    UN? Two things can happen then . Either the UN supports or does not
    support Pakistan. if it DOES, which means that 370 would not be
    repealed(hypothetically speaking). What in a subliminal manner it
    would further convey is that UN agrees for Kashmir to continue to be
    part of India with the condition that 370 will not be repealed. Should
    this be the case then would it not affect the resolutions – even
    though of the security council seeking for the plebiscite in Kashmir?
    And suppose Pakistan subsequently, resorts to certain actions which
    may lead to conflict or even war (despite the nukes)?
    I now – in the same context – have this to add and it concerns the
    morale of the Armed forces. In the manner the castigation of the
    armed forces is going on – believe me – u being close in quarter –
    almost a member of the ARMY – it has affected the morale. The fighting
    spirit which germinates for a cause whether religious or otherwise-and
    for saving the nation which loves them – only then such an army has
    willing fighters. Otherwise they are like paid employees. I am
    afraid we are heading towards the same. What was the spirit of Gen
    Tajjammal who willingly went to East Pakistan in 1971?
    Unfortunately the small minds of MNS and his cronies do not see the
    bigger picture. For them saving GEO is more important than saving the
    nation. The anger in the rank and file of the Army is so intense that
    they are now more inclined towards a person – none other than
    Zardari!!??
    regs

48. Al'aa Yasmeen Ji.
    brilliant research based writing.
    wah!Wah!

49. A nice print media round up than an article, how can certain statements challenging the existing status quo mean a change in policy rather its an indication of a RSS ideological stand and the BJP Manifesto stand of the recently concluded election giving a thumping majority to the party. The reality is two fold, firstly, with Muslims Kashmiri boycotting the elections in the valley Mission 44+ seats was launched by the party. BJP has 11 seats out of 89 in the present state Assembly.BJP won three out of six Lok Sabha seats of Jammu, Udhampur and Ladakh and take lead in 29 Assembly segments in the recently concluded Parliamentary elections.BJP government in Jammu and Kashmir has become all the more imperative considering the nature of divisive politics that Kashmir-based and Kashmir-centric parties that have indulged in 66 years of independence. Secondly, far from being the first cry of repealing Art 370 an instrument of federation for the Indian Union which is not exclusive applied to Kashmir but also north east and other expect a slow dilution to give all federations equality of status. In such a case Pakistan can do little but protest.

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