India got its Independence in 1947, but with that Britishers also gave India the most Perplexing Territorial struggle over Kashmir. In the year 1947, after Partition the conflict started for Princely state Kashmir and lead to three Wars between India and Pakistan.
Kashmir Following the decades has been under the rule of many empires such as Maurya Empire, Kushan’s, Various Hindu Dynasties, Sultanate of Kashmir, Mughals, Durrani Empire, Sikh Empire, and during the Anglo-Sikh War Britishers won against Sikhs and installed the Dogra Rule in 1846.
Sheikh Abdulla, one of the founders of National Conference Party, led a struggle for self-rule against the monarch since 1931.
British India was Divided into Pakistan and India on the basis of Two Nation Theory, Religion. Jinnah back in 1947 claimed Kashmir saying according to two nation theory it should join Pakistan Because the state comprised of 77% Muslim Population.
Maharaja Hari Singh, the last monarch of Kashmir desired to stay Neutral when Britishers asked him to either join Pakistan Or India. So, he Signed a Stand still Agreement with Dominion of Pakistan.
Pakistan supported tribal Pashtun fighters from NWEP invade Kashmir on 22 October.
Maharaja Hari Singh asked Indian Government for help, Military Help. After that “The Instrument of Accession” was signed on 26 October 1947. Accession made Kashmir a Part of India.
Pakistan rejected the Accession and Sheikh Abdulla endorsed the Accession.
India after the accession was signed, sent military to repel the attack and led to the First India-Pakistan War (Indo-Pak war of 1947). Indian Army Pushed back the attackers to Northern Areas. A provincial “Azad Kashmir” was formed which is supported by Pakistan.
India goes to the United Nations to seek help and to resolve the Kashmir conflict, UN commission for India and Pak (UNCIP) was formed and a security council resolution was adopted which asked Pakistan to withdraw all nationals from Kashmir and Asked India to keep minimal forces in the state. Pakistan did not withdraw forces so a “Line of control” was made which previously was the Ceasefire line.
In 1984 Indian Army takes control over Siachen Glacier which strategically is very important for India.
In 1990s Militancy became powerful in Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front and Hizb-ul-mujaheedin started a separatist insurgency. Young Kashmiris were sent across Loc and were being trained by militias and terrorists.
In January 1990 Kashmiri Pandits faced violence and were forced to leave Kashmir almost 4,00,000 Kashmiri Pandits left their homes overnight. Which led to the government of India applying AFSPA in the state.
PRESENT DAY KASHMIR
Jammu and Kashmir (Indian Government Control)
Azad Kashmir (Pakistani Government Control) (POK)
Aksai Chin (occupied by China in 1962)
Gilgit Baltistan (Pakistani Government Control) (POK)
Siachen Glacier (Indian Government Control)
Importance of the Area
Kashmir is a Strategic Location.
It delivers land access to China And CPEC passes through it.
India disallowed CPEC as it Violates the Shimla Agreement Which was signed between India and Pakistan. And raised the issue that CPEC routes goes through Indian territory.
Pakistan Made Gilgit Baltistan its fifth Province to assure China that CPEC is legal and still under Pakistan territory as CPEC is economically a big deal for Pakistan.
Both India and Pakistan are still fighting over Kashmir in the UN.
Kashmir as of today in 2020 still have militancy, Indian Army is still heavily deployed in Kashmir, though Indian Government Back in August 2019 Revoked Article 370 and 35A which gave Jammu and Kashmir a ‘special State Status”.
BY ARUSHI SHARMA
Picture Credits : Indian express, YouTube.com, Wikipedia.
THOUGHT-SO-RAMA 