Roshini Act of Jammu-Kashmir

 Roshini Act - The Dark Act Of Jammu -Kashmir 

(This was published in Hindi in ‘Vishva Samvad Kendra, Annual publication, 2020’)

In year 2001 ,in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, a law called 'Roshini' was brought for the landless people by the Farooq Abdullah government, the name of this act was  Roshini, but the purpose was a dark conspiracy! 

What is this ‘Roshini’ Act? The  official  name is ‘Jammu and Kashmir State Land (Vesting of Ownership to Occupants) Act 2001 – Jammu and Kashmir State Land (Proprietary to Residents) Provisions 2001 –. It is called Roshini because after the implementation of this act, the money earned by it was to be used to illuminate Jammu and Kashmir  by investing the same in the state's electricity generating projects. 

In 2014, an appeal was filed against this law in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court. In 2018, Governor Satya Pal  repealed this law. After the CBI investigation, on 9 October 2020, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, declaring it illegal, repealed the law and canceled the allocations under it. By repeal of the Dark Light Act, Jammu and Kashmir was illuminated with the light of justice.

The Roshini Act, brought under the powers of  Article 370, implemented in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, was  in reality ,a  terrible legal conspiracy. The  political leadership and parties based in the Kashmir Valley bought it with the hidden aim of economic loot of the state’s resources and to change the demography of Jammu region by settling a particular community in Jammu region. 

So what were the social and economic side effects of this dark Roshini act? Let us review the ‘Roshini’ law.

In 2001, the Farooq Abdullah government brought this law, under which there was a provision to  get possession of government Land by Squatters, by paying a fixed price to the state government  and getting the ownership rights of that land.  The stated &Apparent goal of this law was to make landless people land owners, but in truth, the law was but a legal tool to grab  invaluable government land at a throwaway price. Initially ,the law was to be applied retrospectively from 1990. It is important to note that in 1990, lakhs of Kashmiri Hindus had  to leave their land and property and migrate from the valley- in response to their Genocide. Their land was occupied  by the  Muslim residents of the valley.

 By this law the illegal occupier became the legal owner- by paying a small amount to the state government! In 2005, the Mufti government extended this law to be applied till 2004. In 2009, the Ghulam Nabi Azad government extended the deadline to 2007. Thus encroachers sitting on  land till 2007 could become legal owners.

Under this law, people who had occupied government land till 2007, grabbed valuable government land by paying a nominal price. People could get ownership rights by paying only 100 ₹ / kanal of agricultural land.  Roshni Act was misused the Most by the political parties, leaders, state officials and people close to them in the valley. Office of National Conference, some properties of Abdullah family, Finance Minister of PDP government Haseeb Darboo, his brother, Mehboob Baig close to Abdullah family, Congress acquaintance  Mushtaq Ahmed Chaya, office of ‘Khidmat Trust’ run by Congress party-these are some of the examples of  misuse of Roshini Act By the high and mighty of the Valley.

In 2014, Advocate Ankur Sharma filed an appeal in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court against the Roshini Act citing a massive loss of 25,000 crores to the government. Court directed a CBI inquiry. During the investigation, dark layers of the conspiracy of Roshni Act were exposed. By settling a particular community in Jammu region under the Roshini Act, a conspiracy to change the demography of Jammu region was exposed. Under the Roshini Act, 71,000 acres of land was grabbed in Jammu region by a particular community, while in Kashmir Valley, 4174 acres of land was grabbed under the Roshini Act. The question arises that how and for what purpose so much government land was grabbed in Jammu? This could not have been possible without the connivance of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir. Through this conspiracy, Rohingya Muslims were resettled in Jammu by misusing the Roshini Act. The question arises that why were the Rohingyas brought from Kolkata, settled in Hindu-dominated Jammu, by the Roshni Act, and not in the Muslim-majority Kashmir Valley? Rohingyas were being settled in the Bhatidi area of Jammu for ten years via the Roshini Act. As of January 2018, according to government statistics, 1548 families have been settled in the Jammu region. According to non-government sources, this number is much higher than the official figures. The question also arises that after traveling thousands of kilometers, how did the Rohingya get down in Jammu and settle there conveniently? Why not in Bengal, Bihar? Why was the Roshini Act deadline extended?

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court also found that the 2007 Roshini Act passed by the Ghulam Nabi Azad government was illegal and unconstitutional. The law came into force without being passed in the assembly. There should also be a review of the fact that without following the constitutional process, why was the time limit for this land grabbing law extended? The review should also be that how such conspiracy laws are made and implemented? It is necessary to understand that this conspiracy was made possible because  of the existence Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

The role of media should also be thoroughly assessed. When this law was passed, it was praised by a certain type of media. This law was described as a means of delivering social justice to the landless people. No national level media has discussed the fact that in the presence of 35-A, only the PRC people of Jammu and Kashmir could get the ownership of the land. Landless Valmiki, Refugees from West Pakistan, landless displaced of POJK, women of Jammu and Kashmir who married non PRC holders– all of them were deprived of the benefits of Roshini Act. Not only this, the landless laborers who came from Bihar to Kashmir to work in the fields were also outside the purview of this law – but foreign Rohingya infiltrators were taking advantage of this Roshini Act and settling in Jammu! After 2001, the media has never shed any light on its misuse, while issues related to Kashmir have been making international headlines. The Roshni Act was never assessed, the media never told whether any displaced Kashmiri Hindu got its benefit or not. The fact that the abandoned property of displaced Kashmiri Hindus was usurped by this law was never revealed.

In 1950, Sheikh Abdullah had brought a land legislation - the Landlord to Tiller Act - to give land from the landlords to the landless farmer. The zamindars were entitled to keep only 180 kanals, the rest was taken by the state government without giving any  compensation. Till date, this law is considered to be the culmination of social justice, where the land was given to the deprived (Kashmiri Muslim) by taking land from the greedy zamindar (Kashmiri Hindu). But if a deeper analysis is done, it is found that Muslim zamindars had secured their land by dividing their property with the connivance of the administration, but the Hindu zamindar became powerless by this law. In Jammu, this law caused large scale economic devastation - but the misleading review of this law gives it the title of a social reform. Roshini Act was likewise a law whose real purpose was to make a particular demography powerful and to make the other demography powerless.

Whenever the amendment of Article 370 on 5 August 2019 will be examined, then the repeal of Roshini Act on 9 October 2020 will be termed  a big benefit .By repeal of the dark conspiratorial ‘Roshini’ act, the residents of Jammu and Kashmir have finally experienced   the real illumination of justice.

Reclaiming Gilgit Baltistan

 https://www.organiser.org/Encyc/2020/10/13/Gilgit-Baltistan-Let-India-Reclaim-Its-Forgotten-Territory.html

 

Pakistan, Yet again, Has stated that Gilgit Baltistan will be merged into Pakistan as a Fifth province. The  timing of this oft repeated announcement seems to have Chinese considerations ,aimed as a response to India depicting  Gilgit Baltistan as a part of Leh District of Union territory of Ladakh . Unknown to most, Pre 1901, Gilgit Baltistan and Ladakh were one unit called Northern frontiers of the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

To understand the present Pakistani position ,the issue of  Gilgit Baltistan has to be understood.

Gilgit Baltistan comprised of Wazarat of Gilgit, Gilgit Agency & Wazarat of Ladakh. Baltistan was a part of Ladakh. Strategically ,the most important area was Gilgit Agency which was leased by the British for 60 years from Maharaja Hari Singh in 1935. Gilgit agency comprised of Gilgit west of Indus River  and the  Vassal states.  Most important in present context of these were Hunza, Nagar and  Punial.  Vassal states were the frontier tribal states which paid tribute to the Maharaja. The importance of these Vassal states arose from their location,Criss crossed by  trade routes to Eurasia, Central Asia  and Afghanistan . The most important State was Hunza as it was from there the British feared Russians could  create a land route  via Gilgit to Arabian Sea. To understand the present context, it is the route of the proposed CPEC and the Existing Karakoram Highway.  The British raised a Millitary unit named Gilgit scouts from the natives of Gilgit, Hunza and Nagar and by Enlistment from Mirpur ,Poonch and Jammu region. The area was remote, mountainous, sparsely populated and was inaccessible once snow fell ,from October to  March . 

The Myth often propagated by Pakistan is that since Gilgit Agency was leased to the British, Maharaja had no authority over it. Another myth  is that the local population wanted to accede to Pakistan . Yet another myth is that the Mirs of Hunza and Nagar acceded to Pakistan hence Accession of Gilgit to Pakistan was legal. 

British had dissolved all existing treaties and leases with Princely states with the end of its Paramountcy . There is extensive material on record in National archives over reverting of Gilgit agency to Maharaja Hari Singh. On 28 July 1947 , The British issued a Gazette Notification stating that Gilgit agency would be reverted back to Maharaja Hari Singh on 1 August 1947. British parliament made it very clear on 25 March 2017 via a resolution  that Gilgit Baltistan  was a part of state of JK when Pakistan was attempting to merge it as a fifth province .

As per Records, as early as May 1947, Gilgit Agency was to be reverted back to Maharaja, the residents were happy with returning to Dogra rule and Gilgit scouts also had Negotiated their terms of employment with Maharaja’s government .The Vassal states of Hunza and Nagar were never accorded status of Independent states in a India Act 1935 and were vassal states of Maharaja. Once Maharaja had acceded to Dominion of India , the Mirs had no right to accede to Pakistan. 

Post reverting of Gilgit Agency to Maharaja Hari Singh , there was delay in setting up administration in Gilgit. The Maharaja was busy in quelling uprisings in poonch and Gilgit was neglected. Brigadier Ghansara Singh took over as Governor of Gilgit and arrived with a treasury for Gilgit. 

The delay in Setting up administration and posting of Rebellious regiment of J& K army from poonch to Bunji set the stage for ‘Gilgit Mutiny’ . The invasions by Pakistani tribals   of Jammu and Kashmir on 22 Oct, started rumours of atrocities against Muslims. The idea of Islamic state gripped the Fancy of tribals of Frontier Area. These tribals were unlettered and followed Sharia. A narrative was created of Hindu ruler  unleashing torture on Muslim subjects. The Muslim officers and other ranks  of Gilgit  scouts were contacted by Muslim officers of Maharaja’s  Army to incite them for a Mutiny. 

Violence against Non Muslims began in Gilgit and the subjects asked protection of Brigadier Ghansara Singh. The Muslim soldiers massacred fellow  Sikhs and Hindus soldiers at Bunji and moved to Gilgit. The scouts were outnumbered and were forced to join the mutiny or be killed. Brigadier Ghansara Singh was imprisoned . The raja of Punial( Sunni Muslim ) ,who supported Dogra kings, came  to protect Brigadier Ghansara Singh . On 4 November , the rebels announced Gilgit was acceding  to Pakistan. Major Brown carried out the ‘accession’, and the Mirs of Hunza and Nagar too ‘acceded’ to Pakistan. 

Once the Pakistani Army and Government took over , they Kidnapped the employees of J&K government and forced them to work under Pakistan. The women were converted and forcibly married off to Pakistani army officers. There was complete blackout of information from this area. The first news of Killing and conversion of non Muslims in Gilgit Came via Hindu traders of Kashgar.

In February 1948 , the Pakistani army invaded Baltistan. The non Muslim population took refuge in Skardu Fort  under Major Sher Jung Thapa. For 6 months ,Skardu withstood siege by Pakistan army, Surrendering on 14 August 1948.

Post UN mandated ceasefire, the Present Area of Gilgit Baltistan came under Pakistani occupation. In contravention of UN resolutions, It divided the occupied area into ‘Azad Kashmir’(Mirpur Muzzafarabad area of J&K) and ‘Northern Areas’ ( present day Gilgit Baltistan).

A top secret report of 1951 ,mentions that the Population of Gilgit Baltistan had become disillusioned by Pakistani occupation within a few months. The sharia compliant population saw their dream of an Islamic nation shattered as Pakistani army and government officials did not practise Islamic way of life. The wide spread corruption and imposition of Pathan administrators saw people yearning for Dogra rule. Food items become very costly with employment being denied to original inhabitants. It is very tragic that the discontent was not seized upon at that time and Gilgit Baltistan liberated .

In 1963, 5160 sq km area of Shaksgam adjoining Xinxiang and Siachen was ceded to China. 

In 1974, Pakistan removed the state subject rule of Maharaja Hari Singh and allowed Sunnis to migrate and settle in the Shia majority Region. The Migration was enabled by building of Karakoram Highway that connected Gilgit to Kashgar.Sectarian violence was unleashed on a wide scale and 1988 saw intense Sunni-Shia Riots.

India, unfortunately ,did not intervene, always citing UN resolutions and Talks as a way. Thus, the ethnic Gilgit Baltistan citizens  tried to either get independence and create a state of Balwaristan, reunite with a India or seek to be merged with Pakistan to get rights and say in Pakistan . 

Interestingly , the Pakistani constitution does not recognise Gilgit Baltistan as a Province. Judgements of SC in Pakistan have underlined the non constitutional status of Gilgit Baltistan.

Post CPEC, China has become a party to the issue and would like to see Gilgit Baltistan become a part of Pakistan. Amending the constitution to include Gilgit Baltistan is not a big effort for Pakistan as the constitution has been rewritten many times since creation of Pakistan.

The dilemma Pakistan faces is that in case it merges Gilgit Baltistan ,it has to officially disown UN resolutions.  The ‘plebiscite’ narrative and the Idea of Annexing  Kashmir have to be abandoned. That is the reason Pakistan announces annexation but does not Follow through. 

India has all the facts to prove the illegality of Pakistani occupation of Gilgit Baltistan . The Ethnic inhabitants of Gilgit Baltistan are very restless, as they see CPEC  exploiting their resources without  benefits for them. 

The ancient Cultural links of Gilgit Baltistan with India  are etched in stone, in form of More than 2000 rock carvings and petroglyphs scattered around the trade routes . The living proofs are in the Sanskrit origin of Shina , spoken by Gilgit Inhabitants.Yungdrung, A swastika, is venerated by the Muslims of Baltistan as their pre Islamic heritage.  The script Balti is Tibetan and finds an echo with Ladakhi language and script.

	Ancient Cultural links bind Gilgit Baltistan to India and not to Pakistan or China . The links needs to be publicised and our cultural heritage , under threat of being submerged in CPEC projects need to be protected.

The 1994 Parliamentary Resolution needs to be revived in letter and spirit. Territories are not lost by Occupation but when they are Forgotten . Let India reclaim its forgotten territory of Gilgit Baltistan. 

 

 

 

Yogi’s UP

 I was born and bought up in Meerut ,a town of U.P. Childhood is precious to all, but UP under congress and then under SP,BSP deteriorated in front of my eyes. We had all given up on Meerut, asking our family there to shift out. Then Modi happened and then Yogi..and now we all are seeing a new UP emerge.

As a girl, I do not remember ever going out without an escort. We had trustworthy rickshaw wallas who would drop us to school. Evening meant being escorted by a male,and after sunset, no one went out.

Things worsened under SP rule. On certain festivals, peacefuls would Zip through Hindu areas on their mobikes ,fearlessly Eve teasing ,because the police had instructions not to book them. After Yogi came ,mobike police squads began patrolling areas . Now my nieces and her friends are able to be in market after dark,wearing jeans and dresses, which we never did . Only time we wore dresses was in school fetes or visiting Delhi. I remember police outside our girls’ school on Saturdays as girls would face Eve teasing on wearing sports tee shirt and skirt. Law and order had deteriorated so much that dress for senior girls changed to salwar kameez. 

Under yogi, we have pink booths. The house help in my maternal home bought her 13 year old daughter to work. She was being stalked by a 30 year old peaceful who wanted to marry her. His mother was actively supporting the son and trying to lure the girl. I took the girl and the mother to the Thana nearby. As soon as I entered, a woman constable approached me,took me to the pink booth in the Thana. A woman inspector helped us to write the complaint ,explained the pitfalls of the situation and legal implications. By evening the man had been arrested and his mother too counselled. This is Yogi government. Previously, the girl would have been lured, trafficked and her  mother would have been helpless.

As a kid I remember no flush toilets, and ‘bhangis’ who would clean up our laterines. A flush toilet with tiles was a luxury. I still owe a debt to our ‘Bhangis’. Now their third generation is driving e rickshaws or are employed by nagar Nigam. Now toilets are accessible to the poorest . And fancy tiles and bathroom fittings are no longer a luxury. 

I remember power cuts for hours in UP. The torture of returning home in summers after school to no electricity was Hell. We would draw out water from the handpump for bathing and wet our sheets before laying down. I remember some black and white pics of Indira Gandhi with Priyanka - both looked cool and crisp in cottons while we were wilted . That envy still stalks me when I see Priyanka . On a school trip where we visited Rastrapati Bhavan and Indira Gandhi , the cool manicured lawns and cool environs made our dusty, sweaty life in meerut all the more unbearable.

In 90’s generators and inverters became accessible. We installed motors in our homes for water as government supply was erratic . Septic tanks were the norm except in aawas vikaas colonies. The power supply was so poor that inverter batteries would not get charged . I stopped visiting in summers because my kids were small and heat unbearable. I stopped visiting in peak winters as there was no warm water . My mother bought gas fired geysers. Buying LPG in black was the norm. 

Now inverters lie unused because there is ample power supply. There is Government water supply . Drainage has replaced septic tanks. Now I visit my maternal home in all Seasons. Piped gas supply has made gas shortages a bad memory.

Recently my aunt returned from USA because now life is comfortable in her birth place. Her house help got Covid in the third wave. I rang up the helpline and was amazed at the response. My aunt got private RTPCR tests done at home, 4 members of househelp were positive. Government people visited ,gave kits and kept tabs for 7 days. I was so proud of my Uttar Pradesh ….world class medical response.

State elections are approaching. Time for us to decide whom to vote for. The SP, Congress and BSP destroyed the state, killed its education system by allowing state supported cheating. Employment was for the ruling party supporters. Law and order had deteriorated so much that cases were not filed on supporting communities . There was migration of Hindus from localities like Khandak, L2 colony of Shastri Nagar , state bank colony on Hapur road etc. Business of sports goods and scissors was dying because the owners were Hindus, while workers were from a peaceful community,who began blackmailing owners. With no succour in sight many Business folded up.

Uttar Pradesh is reviving. I write this as I have witnessed both the phases . Up to the voters to decide what they want…The 40 minutes drive on a safe ,smooth road at any time or a pot holed ,4 hour drive to Delhi from Meerut - with late night drive being out of question.

I heartily pray Yogi returns ! So that I may also come more often to my Birthplace -with pride and a feeling of Security. 

Violence that marred 2 October for Uttarakhand – Mulayam’s Khadi Kurta is Blood Stained

2 October is celebrated world over as a celebration of Non Violence. Along with Birthday of Sri Lal Bahadur Shastri it is the Birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, who showed to the world the power of non violence . Every year , this day, Non violence is celebrated and leaders vow to abide by the spirit of non violence .

Often these words and celebrations are just symbolic lip service to Gandhi and his belief in Non violence. Wearing a dhoti, khadi kurta and vowing by Lohia, Samajwad, Gandhi , Mulayam singh Yadav Government unleashed an orgy of state sponsored violence on a non violent protest by simple people of Uttarakhand ,demanding statehood . It is very important that on a day india celebrates  Non violence, it is pertinent  to underscore how fragile this spirit is in practise.

What happened on 2 October 1994? 

 

Protestors following Gandhinian  principal of satyagrah and peaceful protests were going to Delhi to protest peacefully and put up their demand for a separate state of Uttarakhand to the Government in  Delhi and put their grievances across on a national stage. 

The peaceful Unarmed protestors were passing through  Rampur Tiraha,Narsain, in Muzaffarnagar, when they were brutally attacked by UP police . The police was armed, the protestors were not. The protestors were shot at. Women protestors were raped . Official death figures were 15 , but unofficial news reports put the number at above 100. Dead bodies were thrown in canals ,buried in fields as per news reports of that time. Dead bodies kept on resurfacing downstream for few days following the incident . 

Protestors who survived by running into fields recount rapes of women and police pursuing fleeing protestors . The plan seemed to be to leave no survivors to recount the brutal crackdown. 

The local media reported the carnage initially, but at national level, the gory details were suppressed. Mulayam singh was  Hailed as a strong administrator who cracked down on Karsevaks 

In Ayodhya in February 1992 and now was cracking down on people who wanted to break UP.

The events were not benefitting anyone politically ,thus the martyrs never got their due. Rampur Tiraha, Narsain, now lies on National Highway, where numerous Dhabas cover the plaque put up. 

Residents of Uttarakhand, esp the present Generation, by and large have forgotten this Gory incident .

However, the idea of Uttarakhand gained strength post this carnage. The people of Uttarakhand knew they had no value as a part of Uttar Pradesh. The movement refused to die down. Sometimes, people become stronger after their Death. This is what the carnage of 2 Oct 1994 did .

To add insult to injury , cases were lodged against the Agitators . 

 (Photo credit Bhaskar Joshi @BHASKAR2024  twitter handle )

A brief review of the Uttarakhand statehood agitation and history  of successful peaceful protests

 

People of Uttarakhand were always strong but simple honest people. The women were very hard working , Strong and Devout . Males often migrated for work, and joined the defence forces. 

Traditionally Garhwal was a prosperous state, not rich but prosperous. The villagers grew enough food in six months not only for themselves to last through snow clad winters , but for residents of Tibet for the whole year. They tended and nurtured forests, and used to trade in trading centres of Tibet, bartering barley and grains for Salt and  wool . 

With the advent of British and division of Garhwal into British Kumaon , Garhwal and princely state of Tehri Garwal, forest policies of British began causing hardships and bought in very tough times. 1927 forest policy adopted by the British and leasing out of forests by Tehri raja caused impoverishment .

There was a tax to be levied in case a villager kept more than ten head of sheep and one cow/ Buffalo.

The people of Garhwal always protested peacefully . In this case too, the people of Rawain announced a Dhandak ( a traditional non violent protest ) against the Maharaja of Tehri, who was revered as a Bolanda Badrinath ( speaking Badrinath) . On 30 May, 1930 at Tilari, the forces of Maharaja under the prime minister ,who was not educated in this traditional right of Uttarakhand residents,  shot and killed protestors . The Maharaja was abroad at that time. However he rushed back and apologised and took back this policy. So the people of Uttarakhand were traditionally brave people who protested peacefully at usurpation of their rights.

Sri Suman Dev, the great Gandhinian Freedom fighter was Martyred while on a satyagrah in jail . His dead body was thrown in the river and the family came to know about it later. The state rose up in peaceful protests, the memory of a dead Dev Suman kept the fires of independence burning , inspiring further leaders like Sunderlal Bahuguna.

Post 1962 war, liquor vends were opened by contractors from UP who were given contracts for building roads on Borders. That time, women of Uttarakhand picketed shops peacefully and resulted in getting liquor shops prohibited in the border districts . This was the traditional strength of Uttarakhand women. 

Post 1971, the decade long Chipko movement started by local Uttarakhand villagers against the exploitation of their forests by UP government . Led by Gandhinian Sunderlal Bahuguna , and supported by and large by women , the peaceful protest where women would stick to trees , resulted in a Indira Gandhi nudging the Uttar Pradesh Government to bring in a forest law that banned Felling of green trees above 1000 meters. Scores of other states followed suit.

The Chipko movement led to peaceful protests against limestone quarrying .

The people of a Uttarakhand realised that their natural resources were being exploited by Uttar Pradesh and they were getting no development in return. The demand of statehood took root. The heavy handed treatment meted out to peaceful protests added steely resolve . 

The strong, honest peaceful people of Uttarakhand never went on a revenge rampage . However ,they succeeded in getting their own state. 

2 October 1994 should never be forgotten. It was a day , when wearing a Khadi kurta and paying lip service to non violence ,  Mulayam Singh Yadav let loose an orgy on violence on peaceful ,unarmed protestors .  

 Counter to Sudheendra Kulkarni article of Gilgit Baltistan in wire 

 

Pakistan has announced that it will merge the occupied territory of Gilgit Baltistan as a fifth province. And before the whole statements could be read out , Pakistani Aman ki Asha types in India have already started churning out series supporting Pakistani claim on Gilgit Baltistan, and where else but in ‘Wire’ that termed Army Chief as General Dyer . 

The group that supports Pakistan on issue of Jammu Kashmir has a modus operandi . It banks on the ignorance of the general people on the issue, chooses certain facts  uses them selectively ,out of context to weave an untruth, which has certain twisted threads of truth . Medieval and ancient sensibilities are often conflated with modern ones , creating a fake narrative. And then the lies are paraded as truth backed by documents . Sudheendra Kulkarni series in wire  on Pakistani claims on Gilgit are nothing but a secessionist  attempt to change the de jure boundary of a india ,clothed as historic facts .

The first truth the readers have to understand is, contrary to SS Kulkarni , Gilgit Baltistan was always a part of Bharat. Before 19 century , nations had frontiers which were flexible and concept of flexible territories. Thus, the frontier of a nation could stretch to far off territories without interfering in day to day activities. Hence the frontiers of a Bharat stretched all the way to Afghanistan , Kashgar( called Kashi) ,Yarkhand( Harikhand) , Tashkent . Frontiers and territories would increase and decrease with the authority and Millitary power of the emperors . Gilgit Baltistan and the tribal areas of Hunza, Nagar, Darel, Tangir, Punial etc all mentioned were since ancient times the frontiers of Bharat . Kushan king Kanishka ruled these areas, The extent of Lalitaditya kingdom reached till Tibet. The whole area of Gilgit Baltistan, including Hunza, Nagar, Chilas, Astore, Diamer which the writer mentions has thousands of Rock carvings and petroglyphs , many are in Brahmi ! Buddhist statues are carved outside Gilgit, Skardu has Manthal statues. Hunza has thousand of Buddha  carvings including UNESCO protected Sacred Rock of Hunza. And SS Kulkarni wants us to believe Hunza, Diamer ,Gilgit, Baltistan had no connections with Bharat and were annexed by force?? The Diamer Bhasha dam and a cascade of proposed Dams under CPEC will submerge these , so maybe Wire and Kulkarni want to keep the truth out till it is submerged ? 

Kulkarni asserts citing out of context statements from documents that Dogra kings were illegitimate rulers, British stooges etc.  The political structure of pre 1947 india was that British had 2 structures- British india and more than 565 princely states . Only British India was partitioned , princely states were not. They had the option to either accede to Dominion of Pakistan or of  India,depending on geographical contiguity . There was NO option for a third dominion or for partition of any state. Congress had suggested that plebiscite be taken in all princely states ,while Jinnah had proposed only Rulers should decide. British rejected the plebiscite and accepted the ruler deciding where to accede to. Thus only Maharaja Hari Singh had the authority to decide which dominion to accede to. 

So, once it is established that according to prevailing rules , Accession of J&K to Dominion of India was legal and final, the cabal tried all its might in last 70 decades to impute that Dogras were not legitimate rulers. They throw in the canard of Dogra kings purchasing Kashmir from British . Before Sikhs conquered Kashmir , Afghans had invaded Kashmir and ruled it nearly for 100 years. Before that Mughals, before that Chak dynasty of Gilgit, and before that it was Balti Prince Rinchen, and before that for centuries it was Hindu Kings. So can we take out one segment and claim ownership of that segment on Kashmir. The treaty was between British and Sikhs where instead of paying indemnity , Sikhs gave up part of territory. The Dogra kings then went to Kashmir and defeated the Army and won it . Gilgit Baltistan and all the frontier areas were annexed openly by conquests and were administered very well by the Dogras. Now the ‘ Kashmir vale being bought’ narrative is shifting to Gilgit, Hunza etc . Selective quotes from books damming Hari Singh and Dogra kings are picked out .

Dogra kings were very able administrators . Trade routes were very well maintained. A book ‘Kashmir to Kashgar ‘ written in 1873 by H.W Bellew praises the routes and the prosperity witnessed in Princely state . The annual reports of the trade on Leh Kashgar routes state that the routes were so safe that if transport animals perished , the traders could leave their merchandise and go to next post and bring new transport to pick up merchandise . 

Coming to Gilgit agency – it is an indisputable fact that British had decided under the india independence act to dissolve all treaties with All princely states. Since April 1947, meetings were held on when to vacate Gilgit agency. The area was remote, in high mountains and the area was inaccessible during winters.Nehru wrote two letters requesting British not to vacate the agency until J&K decided its accession but the British refused his requests and the reversion of Gilgit agency was announced via a gazette notification. 

The Gilgit scouts had negotiated terms of employment with Maharaja Hari Singh. Major a Brown had demanded and got the same salary and rations as the maharaja’s army. The residents of Gilgit were happy about being reverted to Dogra rule . The Mirs of Hunza and Nagar were in Srinagar to negotiate their sanads ( tributes ,gifts etc). The Maharaja used to Issue sanads ,but post 1935 the British had issued Sanads ,so these minor issues were worked out. Regarding the power to accede , only the Maharaja had the authority. There are volumes of material in national archives on Hunza and Nagar, and post 1935 india act, the British categorically concluded that Hunza,Nagar and the other states were under the Maharaja and not Independent . The Mir of Hunza was not trusted by the British as he was Hobnobbing with Chinese and Russians . So to paint the Mir as someone who was great is not supported by documents on record. He was not trusted by Pakistan either post accession. 

There was no involvement of local people during mutiny. The JK army unit posted at Bunji had Muslim officers already subverted by Jinnah. The Gilgit scouts was a lightly armed militia unit . British officers from Gilgit agency had opted for Pakistan via Options  which were offered by British to all their officers and men pan India, British officers of The army too had the option to join either Pakistan or India. So to impute that Dogra rule was so hated that many British officers joined Pakistan does not explain why Major Brown and Gilgit scouts negotiated their employment with Maharaja.

The Muslim officers of JK army massacred the Sikhs and Hindu officers and JCOs at Bunji. They moved to Gilgit and the non Muslim population of Gilgit took refuge in the Gilgit fort. The Muslim officers and major Brown of Gilgit scouts  were imprisoned but later agreed to support the Mutiny. Brigadier Ghansara singh was imprisoned but protected by Raja of Punial,who was a Muslim and who came with a small force to protect Brigadier Ghansara Singh. 

SS Kulkarni glosses over the massacre of non Muslims of Gilgit . The employees of JK government were kidnapped by Pakistani army and Pakistani  Government  officials who took over Gilgit. Daughters of these officials were converted and married off to Pakistani army officers. These facts are unpalatable thus have to be ignored? 

A secret report of 1951 from high commission of a india in Pakistan states that residents of Gilgit were happy at reversion of Gilgit to Dogra rule . But then they were brainwashed by the idea of an Islamic nation. The residents were unlettered and sharia compliant . The report states that within a few months of Pakistan occupation the residents of Gilgit Baltistan were disillusioned . The Pakistani officials were not Islamic, they consumed alcohol and their women folk did not observe purdah. Administration was mainly Pathans who were corrupt and inefficient . Food prices has risen up and the residents were not given any employment . A plan was proposed then in India to project Dogra rule as evil and present Indian rule under Sheikh Abdullah as benign to bring back Gilgit to India. Though Gilgit was never reattached , but the project to vilify Dogra kings seems to be alive.

Gilgit Baltistan are irrefutable Legal, cultural and Historic part of India. Those supporting Pakistani claims on the region should be treated as Secessionists . 

The blog was published by  http://c2c.news/2020/09/26/counter-to-sudheendra-kulkarni-article-of-gilgit-baltistan-in-the-wire/ 

What is POJK, Gilgit Baltistan , Aksai Chin - Let us know our occupied territories

 Strategic Importance of Pakistan Occupied Jammu Kashmir , Gilgit Baltistan and Aksai Chin 

Article 370 has been Amended as to implement the Union constitution in the state of Jammu and Kashmir and the state has been reorganised into 2 UT’s – Jammu &Kashmir and UT of Ladakh . In the parliament Home Minister has been on record to say that POJK and Aksai chin are included when J&K is mentioned. Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh has stated on many occasions that any Talks with Pakistan will be only on Pakistan Occupied Jammu Kashmir. In the recent UNGA session, China supported Pakistan on its stand on 370 abrogation and reorganisation of the State. It is imperative to understand the Occupied region and realise its importance.

Maharaja Hari Singh acceded to India on 26 October ,1947, by signing the instrument of accession. The princely state comprising of Gilgit Wazarat, Gilgit Agency, Ladakh , Kashmir and Jammu became a part of Dominion of India . On 22 October onwards , Pakistani Army under the guise of North frontier tribals called Kabilais invaded the state of Jammu & Kashmir from 3 axis..Jammu, poonch and  Kashmir. Meanwhile in Gilgit region the troops of Gilgit Scouts mutinied and Gilgit ‘acceded ‘ to Pakistan, after a massacre of Sikh Soldiers at Bunji. Jawahar Lal Nehru took the matter to UN and a ceasefire was announced on 1 January 1949 which allowed Pakistan to be in occupation of territories of Gilgit-Baltistan and Mirpur -Muzzafarabad, which it terms as ‘Azad Jammu kashmir’. China started to occupy the region of Aksai Chin in Eastern Ladakh from 1954 onwards by building a Road called Highway 219 connecting Kashgar in Xinxiang to Lhasa in Tibet . In 1954 , india issued a memo , stating that Johnson Ardagh line as its official boundary ,while China claimed Macdonald -Mac cartney line. Post 1962 Indo China war, it occupied the territory of Aksai Chin . In 1963, under a Pakistani -China  Border Agreement , Pakistan ceded Shaksgam valley in its Occupied territory of Gilgit -Baltistan to China. In addition, China occupies Minsar, an indian principality in western Tibet, which was a part of J&K, and whose revenues maintained Kailash -Mansarovar after it occupied Tibet .

Thus the Dejure Map of Jammu & Kashmir , has been converted to a map where a de-facto LOC exists on the Pakistani border and an LAC on the Chinese border .

Post occupation of Aksai Chin by China, Nehru had famously claimed that as not a blade of grass grows in Aksai Chin, it was irrelevant if China occupied it, completely ignoring the strategic. Importance of Aksai chin. Also , Grass did grow in Aksai chin as nomads came to graze their yaks in summers .Aksai chin was Criss-crossed by ancient trade routes which gave access to Tibet, China, Xinxiang and Central Asia and connected to various trade routes extending to Eurasia and Middle east. The important trade routes were Kashgar-Leh-Srinagar and Lhasa- Leh . These trade routes were stopped once Highway 219 became operational, causing economic deprivation in Ladakh . China connected its two occupied territories,ensuring movement of goods and Millitary. China’s ability to mobilise its troops and tanks gave it advantage in the 1962 war. Many analysts claim that in case of war, Chinese tanks can reach New Delhi very quickly. For many decades pre 2014, this analysis was given as excuse by Indian government of not enhancing Border infrastructure on Indian -Tibet Border .

Occupation of Aksai chin denies India access to Central Asia ,while China can monitor Central Asia. Aksai chin is like a Chinese satellite, which pressurises india on Chinese occupation of Shaksgam and its involvement in economic activities in Gilgit Baltistan. The CPEC project is vital to China as it creates a link via Gilgit Baltistan to Gwadar, cutting the distance of Xinxiang to a port to 2500 km ,from the 4500 km to Shanghai . Also, India is forced to maintain its forces in the areas, and frequent incursions occur by Chinese troops. Boundary talks are On since 1988 to find a solution to Aksai Chin.

Pakistani occupation of Gilgit Baltistan enabled it to extend its borders to China, and to Ladakh and Siachen . Gilgit Baltistan is the Gateway to Central Asia and Afghanistan from the indian subcontinent. Gilgit lies at cross roads of trade routes which are called the ancient Silk route. It shares its border with Xinxiang ( occupied by China since 1949) Afghanistan  And Pakistan, with access to Central Asia via Wakhan corridor to Tajikistan(25 km) . Ancient trade routes ,mainly Gandhar(Kandahar) -Varahmul( Baramulla ), Kashgar -Srinagar etc passed through Gilgit. Presently The Karakoram Highway enters Gilgit Baltistan through Khunjareb pass and connects Gilgit to Kashgar. The road is the central point of the CPEC (China-Pakistan economic corridor) . The road further extends to Islamabad and then to Gwadar deep sea port. Thus via Gilgit Baltistan, China gets its landlocked western and central areas access to warm waters of Arabian Sea. The central Asian republics, rich in natural gas, also get access to Sea port via this route.

China imports Crude oil from Middle East and Minerals from Africa ,exporting Finished products to both. Presently the sea route is via Indian Ocean,Malacca straits and South China Sea, where US, India are strong forces and US can impose Barricades via malacca strait. Also,the distance to shanghai from middle eastern ports is about 12000 km, along with added land route. A port in Gwadar ,linked by CPEC will make transport of the above goods very fast and insulate it from US .

Millitary presence of China in Gwadar port will give it power in Arabian Sea to offset Indian Dominance in the area.

Chinese investments in Gilgit Baltistan have given Pakistan disproportionate  power in the subcontinent which it did not have. Chinese Pakistan axis has potential to encircle India and keep it entangled with Pakistan. This is the reason China opposes Reorganisation of Ladakh and J&K as UTs . Historically, pre 1905, Gilgit, Baltistan and Ladakh including Aksai Chin were part of one district known as northern Frontiers .

 Indus River flows in Gilgit Baltistan From Ladakh.  China proposes to built a North Indus cascade , a group of 5 Dams starting from Skardu in Baltistan. The energy from these dams is proposed to be used by China, and irrigation by Pakistan. This is another challenge to Indian policy makers . 

Three largest Glaciers outside polar regions are in Gilgit Baltistan along with Mineral reserves including Gold, Uranium and Molybednum. Hunza has Best quality gold reserves . The Mir of Hunza would pay tribute to the Maharaja of J&K in sacks full of gold dust, collected from flowing streams . Pakistan has given mining rights of rare minerals to China, resources which belong to India.

Siachen Glacier is the area where three nuclear Nations -China,India and Pakistan link up. India dominates the area via Saltoro ridge. Ceding of Shaksgam valley and occupying GB enabled Pakistan to exert pressure in this area.

It must be noted that all wars with Pakistan post independence have been in this region, starting with first Indo pak war( Oct 1947-31 dec 1948), 1965 Indo pak war along LOC,  In 1971 on Ladakh Border, in 1984 the Siachen war (Ladakh Border) and in 1999 the Kargil war( Ladakh Border).Reclaiming this Territory will enhance security of India.

Mirpur -muzzafarabad ,which Pakistan terms as Azaad Jammu Kashmir, serves as an ideological mouthpiece for proponents of Independent Kashmir . It offers a stage for amplifying Separatist voices while giving space to terrorist outfits to set up camps . Infiltrations occur mostly from this area . Terror outfits active in Mirpur – muzzafarabad receive funds from abroad through various charities set up. The so called Kashmiri voices in UK are Mirpuris who migrated to UK post Construction of Mangala Dam. 

Minsar in west Tibet was an Indian principality which maintained Kailash Mansarovar area. The traditional route to Kailash Mansarovar was from Ladakh ,via Demchok to Minsar . Reopening of this route,which is quicker and safer will be of a great economic benefit to Ladakh .

To conclude, when we claim that Jammu&Kashmir is a strategic state, it is the occupied areas by Pakistan and China which are the real strategic areas. These areas gave India access to Central Asia,Afghanistan and made India prosperous via trade through silk route. Security of India was strengthened by control over these areas. Gilgit Baltistan along with Kashmir and Ladakh had been the centre of trade for centuries . To make India Strong and prosperous it is imperative to regain control of these territories .

 

 

Ladakh -Land of Passes

 The article appeared in Newsvichar https://www.newsvichar.com/Encyc/2019/8/10/GAME-CHANGING-DECISION-Ladakh-in-spotlight-as-Union-Territory-.html  

GAME CHANGING DECISION: Ladakh in spotlight as Union Territory

       Ladakh borders both Pakistan and China, and has faced aggression from both sides. In the present security environment, it has finally got the place of prominence it deserves.

 

 

 

NIDHI BAHUGUNA

On August 6, 2019, in Lok Sabha the young first time MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal stood up to speak eloquently on the revocation of Article 370 and reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir. The nation was enthralled by his brilliant oratory and everyone wanted to know more about the speaker. Most were hearing details about Ladakh for the first time. A region, out of national focus for decades, was bought into spotlight by the eloquent first speech of the first time MP.

Ladakh was historically one of the five Himalayan kingdoms in ancient and medieval times. Contrary to its present obscurity, it was at the centre of Eurasian trade routes and hence a very important geographical region. The Yarkhand-Leh-Srinagar trade route was among the important ones. The kingdom of Ladakh had wars with many neighbours over centuries. Gulab Singh conquered Ladakh and it became a part of Jammu and Kashmir and when J&K acceded to India, it became a part of India. Before that, for centuries, the ancient route to Kailash Mansarovar passed through Demchok in Ladakh, through Tibet and finally the pilgrims reached Minsar, a village that was for centuries a part of the Ladakh empire.

Claude Apri, an expert on Ladakh and Tibet writes : 

Immediately after J&K Accession to India, Ladakhis took the stand that their future was linked with India, though culturally, racially and linguistically they were closer to Tibet. 

In May 1949, the first delegation of the Young Men's Buddhist Association of Ladakh led by Kalon Chhewang Rigzin met Nehru in Delhi and presented him a memorandum: “We seek the bosom of that gracious Mother India to receive more nutriment for growth to our full stature in every way. She has given us what we prize above all things - our religion and culture.” 

Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, the head Lama of Ladakh and long-time minister in Srinagar was another one who, as early as in the 1950s, defended the rights of the Ladakhis. Bakula never chose the path of confrontation; he always tried to get a greater autonomy by working with the system. As his method did not fully succeed, faced with Delhi's decades-long apathy and the 'larger issue of Kashmir', in 1989, the Ladakhis had no alternative but to resort to an agitation, a concept alien to Buddhism. A greater autonomy and closer links with India were not granted till the Ladakh Buddhist Association organised a non-violent movement; after many frustrating decades, Ladakh was finally offered an Autonomous Hill Development Council as a compromise in 1995. Though the chairman and his executives councilors (ministers) had vast executive powers on paper, they often faced a frustrating situation with Srinagar. 

Ladakh region has two districts, Leh and Kargil and two Autonomous Hill Development Councils, Ladakh (LAHDC ) and Kargil. In February 2019, Ladakh was granted Divisional status and on 6 August 2019, Lok Sabha passed the Bill granting Union Territory Status to Ladakh. 

Making Ladakh a Union Territory will help localise the Kashmir ‘issue’ to the Valley. The centre will be able to provide a better administration to the mountainous region. Ladakh borders both Pakistan and China, so this move will streamline the security and send a message to China: ‘India cares for Ladakh’. Ladakh has faced aggression both from Pakistan and China on both sides of the borders.

In October 1947, when ‘raiders’ from Pakistan began pouring into the Valley, looting and burning villages in their way, Ladakh was thought to be safe.But Pakistan decided to also 'liberate' their Buddhist brothers in Ladakh. The objectives of Operation Sledge, supposed to occupy the vast Ladakh plateau, were strategic and economic, the treasures of the Buddhist gompas (monasteries) being the great lure. The invaders were invited by the then Muslim population of Padam (Zanskar) and great looting took place, forcing many Buddhists to leave for Himachal Pradesh. The invaders were beaten back to the present day Line of Control (LoC).

In 1999, the Kargil war took place in Ladakh region. 

Siachen, since 1984, has been a highly militarised zone with India maintaining control of the strategic reaches.

On the eastern side, 1954 onwards, China occupied the strategic territory of Aksai Chin by Building Highway 219 connecting Kashgar in Xinxiang to Lhasa in Tibet. In 1962, it occupied the Aksai chin territory and since then, Ladakh faces security challenges from the Indo Tibet border.

In the prevailing security environment, Ladakh now has got place of prominence it deserves.

THE HEROES OF LADAKH 

Captain Prithvi Chand 

In February 1948, Brigadier S.P. Sen, the Brigade Commander in Srinagar got wind of the fact that more than 800 tribal Pathans were ready to enter Ladakh. The formidable Zoji-la pass was an uncrossable barrier between the Valley and Ladakh and there was no way to airlift reinforcements to Leh. Wheels other than the prayers wheels were unknown in Ladakh. 

It was then that Captain Prithvi Chand, a young Buddhist officer from Lahaul, the Himalayan region beyond Manali and the Rothang Pass, offered his services. He told Sen that he was ready to cross Zoji-la with a small caravan of men and mules carrying arms and ammunitions. Though Buddhists and believers in ahimsa, they were ready to risk the bitterly cold weather and high altitude, to fight the raiders and defend their co-religionists in Ladakh. Nobody thought the mission feasible, but there was no other solution. 

So, without the knowledge of army headquarters — which was reluctant to permit such a risky operation — the young captain crossed the pass with about 60 volunteers and reached Leh safely to prepare a ‘surprise’ for the raiders.The first airfield of Independent India was constructed at Leh by a Ladakhi engineer Sonam Norbu without any heavy machinery and fund of RS 13000- post completion of airstrip he returned the unused amount . 

 

 

Colonel Chewwang Rinchen

Colonel Chewwang Rinchen, who was twice awarded the Mahavir Chakra — first for having stopped the advance of raiders in the Nubra Valley in June 1948 and second for the bravery displayed in the Turtuk sector during the 1971 War.

 

With the creation of Ladakh as a Union Territory, the Heroes will get their space in national spotlight .

FUTURE OF LADAKH

Tourism will get a fillip as the Article 370, which impeded it, has been revoked. Negotiations with China to open the Demchok route for Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage will go a long way in reviving tourism and as a CBM (confidence building measure ). 

The question of Minsar, an Indian principality in Tibet ,which was a part of Ladakh and catered to Kailash Mansarovar, needs to be addressed. 

To conclude, the Grant of Union Territory status to Ladakh is a game changing step. Ladakh has finally got its due after decades.