Indian Economy : Corruption: Growing Foreign Pressures : Clever Politician ;Agony of Jammu & Kashmir
Daya Sagar Sharma
November 22, 2009
Masses of J&K have suffered socially, economically and emotionally over six decades Political leadership of J&K has been applying salt &"licking" the wounds
New Delhi today appear standing levels with Kashmiri separatists. National Conference opponent JK People´s Democratic Party was supported by Congress in 2002. Congress ally PDP even advocated view points that appeared negating 1947 Accession. But still Congress shared power with PDP for 6 years. Rather PDP was encouraged for weakening Farooq Abdullah. In recent times the separatist leaders have frequently been pleading no less than secession / plebiscite on foreign lands. Narasimha Rao´s sky is the limit / any thing short of Azadi and Vajpayee´s "talks with in humanitarian frame work" with any one agitating in Kashmir have been the tools used by the secessionists to woo the innocent local masses. Praises showered on the secularism of Kashmir Valley. Kashmiri Hindu Migrant is way from "SECULAR LANDS" for over 20 years. Such approach has encouraged the separatists not feel shy before the international community. JK affairs by 2009 have hence moved from a local problematic issue to an international issue.
So often it has been alleged that Sant Jarnail Singh Bindrawale was encouraged by Congress governments at Delhi for simple political reasons .The political game plan was simply aimed at local legislative elections and power sharing. On face of it the alleged Congress game plan surely could not be treated as anti social or anti national or anti India or anti people. Any political party has all rights go for game plans that could strengthen scope for achieving its political power and could weaken the prospects of other political parties. Punjab was eclipsed with the worst ever social, communal , and anti India turmoil. Some held back investments in industrial and trade ventures mid way. The local issues appeared taking a shape of a movement against India. Many local non Sikh families who left their homes under terrorist threats were not registered in a regular manner for providing economic support. But still it could be said that the number was large . Trade of Punjabies staying out side Punjab also got affected. Later on Bindrawale was labeled as an anti national "institution". The result was that the operation Blue Star could not be avoided against same Jarnail Singh Bindrawale. Indians are still carrying "open wounds " even after 25 years.
Those who propagated anti India ideologies in Punjab did not have any mass moral support bases out side India .The insurgents in Punjab did receive some economic support from foreign institutions that were interested in India remaining disturbed. Indian political leadership did not learn lessons.
Issues that can affect the security and socio communal fabric of India are so often ignored . Those in power ignore the warning bells when they are sounded by some other political party. The manner in which Maoist or Naxalite activities have been addressed over the years by political parties could well explain the point made here. And above all social insecurity, growing corruption, immoral political gamesmanship and unemployment are forcing the common man lose faith in the democracy. So even some nationalist elements have come forward to defend the Naxalite like terrorism.
Jammu and Kashmir State has been the worst sufferer of political misfires. The situation that has emerged in Kashmir in 2009 is most alarming. The turmoil in JK has even encouraged international community dare to suggest and comment on JK affairs .Rather JK has been the most unfortunate state of the Independent India. The common masses of Jammu and Kashmir have suffered socially, economically and emotionally all these six decades. Emotional injuries have been inflicted so often all these years.The political leadership of Jammu and Kashmir has been pretending "licking" the wounds but has instead salting the wounds. .Surely the state of affairs in JK is not like what was in Punjab in 1980s. Instead I would say it is much more serious than what happened in Punjab. In JK what started as normal looking political game plans have this day taken the shape of an issue that has international dimension. Rather in JK the game plans started in mid 1940s. Sheikh Mohd Abdullah´s National Conference was owned by Congress as preferred ally. It was not to compete with some other political power. It was to weaken Maharaja Hari Singh although Maharaja Hari Singh was totally for Indian Independence. To be more specific, Sheikh Abdullah was given a very preferred seat amongst Indian leaders under the patronage of Jawahar Lal Nehru. Congress party practically with drew from the scene in JK.
The views expressed by Maharaja Hari Singh in the Round Table Conference 1931 regarding Indians demanding Independence had annoyed the British. Sheikh Abdullah and his National Conference were politically opposing Maharaja Hari Singh. Nehru encouraged Sheikh Abdullah and his NC. May be some would defend Nehru in the name of opposing Jinha´s game plans. The result was that Sheikh { encouraged with this } went to the extent of calling for Quit Kashmir movement in May1946. There were many other princely states in British Indian Empire but no other political group gave a call like quit Kashmir l against any other Prince demanding the Prince to quit his empire / state . Jammu and Kashmir was no different than others .
Kashmir valley became part of British India after the fall of the Ranjit Singh dynasty. Valley was given to Maharaja Gulab Singh of Jammu by the British. Quit Kashmir { 1946} call was aimed at asking the British to undo the 1946 Amritsar Treaty between the British Crown and Raja Gulab Singh . Sheikh Abdullah was of the opinion that Maharaja Hari Singh should surrender rights over Kashmir Valley . British on retreat should hand over the reins of power to National Conference as was being done for Indian Dominion where power was to pass on to Congress. This was against the general policy of the then Indian leadership including that of Mohd Ali Jinha and the policy Congress party had for all other Princely States. Nehru´s actions did support the demand for handing over power to Sheikh Abdullah after accession / retreat of British . Keeping Amritsar treaty in mind Sheikh Abdullah initially had only Kashmir Valley in his mind. It was only Kashmir Valley that came under the Control of Maharaja of Jammu in 1946. Ladakh was already with Raja Gulab Singh´s Jammu Empire .But later on when Nehru supported Sheikh, he became more ambitious and hence attempted to bring whole of JK in the scope of Quit Kashmir Movement.
Sheikh nursed still more ambitions after Oct 1947 accession of JK with India. But now the expressions and demands of Sheikh Abdullah grew sore for India Dominion, even Nehru.. The love and affection that Nehru had for Sheikh appeared throwing challenges to integrity of India. It was under ultimate compulsions that Nehru had to get Sheikh Abdullah removed from seat and arrested in August 1953. But the events over these few years {1946 to 1953 } sowed doubts and confusions in Kashmiries. New Delhi did very less to remove the doubts created in the mind of common Kashmiri. Nehru and his Congress still devoted more energies to woor Sheikh Abdullah rather than building ground base for Indian National Congress in JK { Kashmir in Particular }.
Before 1947 Congress party was pushed to the back ground and for till mid 1960s Congress was nearly shelved in JK. After 1975 Congress Sheikh accord the position for Congress grew weaker. It was after 1977 that conditions become still harsh for Congress. National Conference was revived again. NC started further digging the weak base of Congress. Politically National Conference was threat to Congress even in the absence of Sheikh Abdullah. For simple political gains Congress kept on playing soft on those who advocated secessionist ideology . It was more to keep some forces live in Valley { JK} who could pose difficulties for NC . National Conference was always kept under pressures to make NC look for some support from Congress / New Delhi. Congress did not use its energies for constructive purposes. The local conditions in Kashmir Valley have this day become fluid as regards nationalities. National Conference sloganing for Greater Autonomy / pre 1953 position further polluted the local mindset against Indian interests .Kashmiri Hindu who was very close to Delhi too till 1989 termed the Valley disturbances as economic issues. Where as anti India fields were being sown. For political interests even separatists were allowed to survive simply to give some opposition to National Conference. On one hand it is said that elections have endorsed accession where as on the otherside separatist were given enough leverage and political platforms .And to add to this American pressures too have increased on Delhi . But foreign pressures are more due to weak Indian economy and growing corruption on the loans / assistance from international financial bodies.
It has to be looked into seriously by those not directly on the political cadres. . Farooq Abdullah though for accession kept on calling for special status.
( Daya Sagar is social activist and leading scribe on Kashmir affairs dayasagr@yahoo.co.uk)
New Delhi today appear standing levels with Kashmiri separatists. National Conference opponent JK People´s Democratic Party was supported by Congress in 2002. Congress ally PDP even advocated view points that appeared negating 1947 Accession. But still Congress shared power with PDP for 6 years. Rather PDP was encouraged for weakening Farooq Abdullah. In recent times the separatist leaders have frequently been pleading no less than secession / plebiscite on foreign lands. Narasimha Rao´s sky is the limit / any thing short of Azadi and Vajpayee´s "talks with in humanitarian frame work" with any one agitating in Kashmir have been the tools used by the secessionists to woo the innocent local masses. Praises showered on the secularism of Kashmir Valley. Kashmiri Hindu Migrant is way from "SECULAR LANDS" for over 20 years. Such approach has encouraged the separatists not feel shy before the international community. JK affairs by 2009 have hence moved from a local problematic issue to an international issue.
So often it has been alleged that Sant Jarnail Singh Bindrawale was encouraged by Congress governments at Delhi for simple political reasons .The political game plan was simply aimed at local legislative elections and power sharing. On face of it the alleged Congress game plan surely could not be treated as anti social or anti national or anti India or anti people. Any political party has all rights go for game plans that could strengthen scope for achieving its political power and could weaken the prospects of other political parties. Punjab was eclipsed with the worst ever social, communal , and anti India turmoil. Some held back investments in industrial and trade ventures mid way. The local issues appeared taking a shape of a movement against India. Many local non Sikh families who left their homes under terrorist threats were not registered in a regular manner for providing economic support. But still it could be said that the number was large . Trade of Punjabies staying out side Punjab also got affected. Later on Bindrawale was labeled as an anti national "institution". The result was that the operation Blue Star could not be avoided against same Jarnail Singh Bindrawale. Indians are still carrying "open wounds " even after 25 years.
Those who propagated anti India ideologies in Punjab did not have any mass moral support bases out side India .The insurgents in Punjab did receive some economic support from foreign institutions that were interested in India remaining disturbed. Indian political leadership did not learn lessons.
Issues that can affect the security and socio communal fabric of India are so often ignored . Those in power ignore the warning bells when they are sounded by some other political party. The manner in which Maoist or Naxalite activities have been addressed over the years by political parties could well explain the point made here. And above all social insecurity, growing corruption, immoral political gamesmanship and unemployment are forcing the common man lose faith in the democracy. So even some nationalist elements have come forward to defend the Naxalite like terrorism.
Jammu and Kashmir State has been the worst sufferer of political misfires. The situation that has emerged in Kashmir in 2009 is most alarming. The turmoil in JK has even encouraged international community dare to suggest and comment on JK affairs .Rather JK has been the most unfortunate state of the Independent India. The common masses of Jammu and Kashmir have suffered socially, economically and emotionally all these six decades. Emotional injuries have been inflicted so often all these years.The political leadership of Jammu and Kashmir has been pretending "licking" the wounds but has instead salting the wounds. .Surely the state of affairs in JK is not like what was in Punjab in 1980s. Instead I would say it is much more serious than what happened in Punjab. In JK what started as normal looking political game plans have this day taken the shape of an issue that has international dimension. Rather in JK the game plans started in mid 1940s. Sheikh Mohd Abdullah´s National Conference was owned by Congress as preferred ally. It was not to compete with some other political power. It was to weaken Maharaja Hari Singh although Maharaja Hari Singh was totally for Indian Independence. To be more specific, Sheikh Abdullah was given a very preferred seat amongst Indian leaders under the patronage of Jawahar Lal Nehru. Congress party practically with drew from the scene in JK.
The views expressed by Maharaja Hari Singh in the Round Table Conference 1931 regarding Indians demanding Independence had annoyed the British. Sheikh Abdullah and his National Conference were politically opposing Maharaja Hari Singh. Nehru encouraged Sheikh Abdullah and his NC. May be some would defend Nehru in the name of opposing Jinha´s game plans. The result was that Sheikh { encouraged with this } went to the extent of calling for Quit Kashmir movement in May1946. There were many other princely states in British Indian Empire but no other political group gave a call like quit Kashmir l against any other Prince demanding the Prince to quit his empire / state . Jammu and Kashmir was no different than others .
Kashmir valley became part of British India after the fall of the Ranjit Singh dynasty. Valley was given to Maharaja Gulab Singh of Jammu by the British. Quit Kashmir { 1946} call was aimed at asking the British to undo the 1946 Amritsar Treaty between the British Crown and Raja Gulab Singh . Sheikh Abdullah was of the opinion that Maharaja Hari Singh should surrender rights over Kashmir Valley . British on retreat should hand over the reins of power to National Conference as was being done for Indian Dominion where power was to pass on to Congress. This was against the general policy of the then Indian leadership including that of Mohd Ali Jinha and the policy Congress party had for all other Princely States. Nehru´s actions did support the demand for handing over power to Sheikh Abdullah after accession / retreat of British . Keeping Amritsar treaty in mind Sheikh Abdullah initially had only Kashmir Valley in his mind. It was only Kashmir Valley that came under the Control of Maharaja of Jammu in 1946. Ladakh was already with Raja Gulab Singh´s Jammu Empire .But later on when Nehru supported Sheikh, he became more ambitious and hence attempted to bring whole of JK in the scope of Quit Kashmir Movement.
Sheikh nursed still more ambitions after Oct 1947 accession of JK with India. But now the expressions and demands of Sheikh Abdullah grew sore for India Dominion, even Nehru.. The love and affection that Nehru had for Sheikh appeared throwing challenges to integrity of India. It was under ultimate compulsions that Nehru had to get Sheikh Abdullah removed from seat and arrested in August 1953. But the events over these few years {1946 to 1953 } sowed doubts and confusions in Kashmiries. New Delhi did very less to remove the doubts created in the mind of common Kashmiri. Nehru and his Congress still devoted more energies to woor Sheikh Abdullah rather than building ground base for Indian National Congress in JK { Kashmir in Particular }.
Before 1947 Congress party was pushed to the back ground and for till mid 1960s Congress was nearly shelved in JK. After 1975 Congress Sheikh accord the position for Congress grew weaker. It was after 1977 that conditions become still harsh for Congress. National Conference was revived again. NC started further digging the weak base of Congress. Politically National Conference was threat to Congress even in the absence of Sheikh Abdullah. For simple political gains Congress kept on playing soft on those who advocated secessionist ideology . It was more to keep some forces live in Valley { JK} who could pose difficulties for NC . National Conference was always kept under pressures to make NC look for some support from Congress / New Delhi. Congress did not use its energies for constructive purposes. The local conditions in Kashmir Valley have this day become fluid as regards nationalities. National Conference sloganing for Greater Autonomy / pre 1953 position further polluted the local mindset against Indian interests .Kashmiri Hindu who was very close to Delhi too till 1989 termed the Valley disturbances as economic issues. Where as anti India fields were being sown. For political interests even separatists were allowed to survive simply to give some opposition to National Conference. On one hand it is said that elections have endorsed accession where as on the otherside separatist were given enough leverage and political platforms .And to add to this American pressures too have increased on Delhi . But foreign pressures are more due to weak Indian economy and growing corruption on the loans / assistance from international financial bodies.
It has to be looked into seriously by those not directly on the political cadres. . Farooq Abdullah though for accession kept on calling for special status.
( Daya Sagar is social activist and leading scribe on Kashmir affairs dayasagr@yahoo.co.uk)
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