The
struggle of the people of Kashmir for their
rights has entered the final phase. They have waited for forty long years
pinning their hope on India's "good" conscience. They got only
promises but no fulfillment. They counted on Pakistan's ability to pressurize
India
into doing justice to them. It did not happen. They put their trust in the
United Nations. It only passed resolutions for holding a fair and impartial plebiscite. They
found that with each passing year, India became more obdurate, more defiant and
became bold enough to declare that Kashmir was an integral part of it. They find
the tide of Hindu fundamentalism is India rising to a vicious crescendo. It has
come to hold the levers of power in India at the center and in the states. It
has already pushed the government into substantially eroding Kashmir's special
status in the Indian union, guaranteed by Article 370 of the Constitution. It is
now pitching for the abrogation of the Article itself. Communal riots, killing
of Muslims and economic discrimination have become endemic. The people of
Kashmir have decided to wage their own war of freedom. Hatred begets hatred;
Occupation begets resistance. It is only a natural phenomenon.
CHRONOLOGY OF THE KASHMIR ISSUE
March 23, 1940
Pakistan Resolution is passed at Iqbal Park, Lahore, demanding the establishment
of an independent state in areas in which the Muslims are in majority. Alphabet
"K" in the word "Pakistan" represents Kashmir, as it is a
Muslim majority area.
June 3, 1947
British government announces plan accepting the demand of Muslims for
establishment of Independent State of Pakistan in areas where the Muslims are in
majority. All the political parties including the Muslim League (representing
Muslims) and the Congress (representing Hindus) accept the plan.
August 14, 1947
State of Pakistan comes into being
October 27, 1947
Indian troops land in Sringar, capital of Kashmir state. India claims that on
the same day the Hindu ruler of Kashmir signs formal documents of accession to
India but never shown the documents.
October 27, 1947
The first Governor-General of India, the British Viceroy, lord Mount batten, in
a letter accompanying the instrument of accession says, "It is my
Government's wish that as soon as law and order have been restored in Kashmir,
the question of accession should be settled by a reference to the people of
Kashmir."
November 1, 1947
The Governor General of Pakistan, Mr. Mohammad Ali Jinnah tells lord Mount batten
that Kashmir's accession to India "was not a bona fide one since it rests
on fraud and violence."
January 5, 1948
The UN Commission for India and Pakistan passes a resolution, noting that both
India and Pakistan had accepted the following principle: "The question of
accession of the state of Jammu and Kashmir to India or Pakistan will be decided
through the democratic method of free and impartial plebiscite. "
April 21, 1948
United Nation Security Council passes a resolution "that the future of the
State of Jammu and Kashmir shall be determine in accordance with the will of the
people."
January 5, 1949
The UN Commissioner for Pakistan and India passes a resolution, nothing that
both Pakistan and India had accepted the following principals: " The
question of accession of the state of Jammu and Kashmir to Pakistan or India
will be decided through the democratic
method of free and impartial plebiscite."
January 24, 1957
The Security Council, reaffirming its previous resolution to the effect,
"that the final disposition of the state of Jammu and Kashmir will be made
in accordance with the will of the people expressed through the democratic
method of a free and impartial plebiscite
conducted under the auspices of United Nations," further declared that any
action taken by the Constituent Assembly formed in Kashmir " would not
constitute disposition of the state in accordance with the above
principles."
February 5, 1964
India reneges from her pledge. The Indian representative tells the Security
Council, 'I wish to make it clear on behalf of my government that in no
circumstances can we agree to the holding of a plebiscite in Kashmir."
Defense Minister, Kirshnan Menon gives the reason:
"Kashmir would vote to join Pakistan and no Indian Government responsible
for agreeing to plebiscite would survive.
March, 1965
The Indian Parliament passes a bill declaring Kashmir a province of India.
August, 1965
India accuses Pakistan of sending infiltrators to Kashmir and Indian forces
cross the cease-fire line in Kashmir.
September 6, 1965
India attacks Pakistan across the international border and tries to capture
Pakistan's second largest city Lahore, but fails.
September 23, 1965
Security Council arranges a cease-fire.
January 10, 1966
The Soviet Union arranges talks between Pakistan and India; the Tashkent
Agreement is signed, through the mediating efforts of the Soviet Prime Minister
Alexi Kosygin. The Agreement reaffirming that the dispute should be settled by
peaceful means. The armies are to be withdrawn to their original positions.
January 30, 1971
The Indian Intelligence arranges a plane hijacking of an Indian plane to
Pakistan from Kashmir, and on that pretext bans over-flight of Pakistani planes
to disrupt communication between the two wings of Pakistan.
November, 1971
Indian Army attacks East Pakistan.
December 16, 1971
Pakistan surrenders East Pakistan to India. India declares East Pakistan as
"Bangladesh."
July 2, 1972
The Simla Agreement between Pakistan and India is signed. Both agree to make
efforts for the establishment or durable peace by seeking a solution to existing
problems, including "a final settlement of Jammu and Kashmir."
1987
The current uprising of the people of Kashmir starts as protest against
inefficiency, corruption, religious discrimination and Hindu communalism.
January 19, 1990
The Indian government brings Kashmir, wracked by wide spread Muslim freedom
unrest, under its direct control. The State legislature suspended, government is
removed and Ex director general of Indian Secret Service, Research and Analysis
Wing (RAW) Mr. Jag Mohan is appointed governor.
January 20, 1990
Large scale demonstration. Thirty people killed by Indian Security forces.
Curfew imposed in most cities.
February 25, 1990
Government employees join demonstrations.
February 27, 1990
India refuses to allow any United Nations official to visit Kashmir.
March 2, 1990
Forty killed in firing when more than one million Kashmiris march through the
streets of Srinagar. Police ordered shoot on sight.
March 28, 1990
Refugees start pouring into Pakistan from Occupied Kashmir.
April 10, 1990
Prime Minister Singh of India threatens war, and says, "we are not going to
stop till we have achieved our objectives.
April 13, 1990
Prime Minister V.P. Singh warns, "India will teach them a lesson."
April 14, 1990
Authorities send military reinforcements to Kashmir.
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