Satish Singh Manhas After the abrogation of article 370 and 35/A and even prior to that many people from Pakistan occupied Jammu as well as Pakistan occupied Kashmir were asking for their merger into the pre 1947 Jammu and Kashmir and complete integration with India. After the victory of Narendra Modi in 2014 as well as in 2019, many processions were seen on the streets of the other part of Kashmir for an independence from Pakistan and its army atrocities. But what gave a fillip to all that is the statement made by Amit Shah in the parliament while having a debate on abrogation of article 370. He made a very bold statement about Aksai Chin as well as POJK asserting that “Aksai Chin aur POJK k liye hum apni jaaan bhi de dein ge”. This was the first such bold statement from any Home Minister post independence on Jammu and Kashmir about Aksai Chin and POJK. This statement gave a new lease of life to all those snubbed voices in POJK vouching for an independence from the cruelty from Pakistan army and it’s imposed governments from the last, more than 75 years now. Prior to this statement from Amit Shah, the old and political traditional narratives were common and even the public on both sides of Kashmir were taking lightly knowing well that nothing concrete will happen but after the abrogation of article 370 and 35/A, a ray of hope emerged and for the first time the public on the other part i.e. POJK were seen openly chanting Modi, Modi and raising banner against Pakistan and its army. Prior to all this, a common practice was seen everywhere in media, social media, print, electronic, on TV debates that J & K is an integral part of India and removal of article 370 & 35/A proved that. This also confirms that the statement of Home Minister of India about the taking back of the POJK carries a good weight and even no opposition leader like in the case of Ram Mandir has ever asked like, “mandir to bnayein ge pr date nahi btyein ge” because they know very well that what the government of BJP under Narendra Modi says, it always meant that. Very surprising that no opposition leader ever dared the government to take back the POJK. Even the likes of some Kashmir based leaders who a few years back used to tease that , Modi ek baar kiya 100 bar bhi es desh k pardhan mantra bane ge to bhi article 370 nhi hata sakte. So none is posing any challenge on unification of POJK with India. This also infers the entire opposition also backs the Government on this issue or they don’t want the Government to take it back. So the Government can act and it will definitely act no sooner than later but everyone is eager. Kyu ki modi ji jo kehte hein vo krte hein aur jo nhi kehte vo to definitely karte hein. This applies very well to the present Indian Government. Moreover, the statement from Amit shah has energised all Indian lovers be they on this part of Kashmir or on the other part i.e. under illegal occupation of Pakistan. But now the people are very eager and impatient and even counting the days to see that statement turns into a reality. After the abrogation of article 370 and 35-A and the increase in assembly seats from 87 to 90, the other part also deserves such consideration. The seats in this part of Jammu and Kashmir have gone from 75 in 1951 to 94 in 2022 including the four assembly seats allotted to UT of Ladakh but the seats in the other part of the Kashmir have not been increased which gave an impression that even India is not sincere to take it back. Now since the Government is committed like it did in the case of removal of article 370 and 35A, construction of Maryada purshotam shree Ram temple etc, the first thing the Government should do is to increase the assembly seats in the Pakistan occupied part of Kashmir and bring that under the ambit of present Delimitation Commission. This will give another knee jerk to Pakistan like it got after 5th august 2019. Pakistan will stop losing ground and the independence movement in Pakistan occupied Kashmir will gain movement of freedom from Pakistan as well as its army. This will dilute their stand and strengthen our stand at international level and this will be a first constitutional step toward final take back of the illegal areas under illegal occupation of Pakistan , this will also help India gauge the stand of international community and will be the first step towards merger of POJK with India. Another important step the Government of India at present can take is to hold the elections simultaneously for that part of Kashmir after increasing the assembly seats and an election in exile will give a good signal to all seeking independence world over like Baluchistan and in case of POJK all people settled as refugees in Jammu and Kashmir will be the voters, representatives and they can well be made a part of Government representing all across the border of Jammu and Kashmir. Let these people help run the Government from exile for their brothers and sisters under Pakistani dictatorship of the army. Holding election in exile will be a first nail in Pakistan’s coffin and besides will be a fitting tribute to all those 30,000 killed in Mirpur invasion by the invaders, Pakistan regular army and other marauders. The generation of those killed will see their own Government and India will constitutionally and politically integrate the area, thereafter only geographical boundaries are to be extended and India army is competent enough to do its duty within least time. The political instability in Pakistan can be cashed and when the world is busy in Russia Ukraine war, no attention will be given to the cries of half Pakistan government. US is busy to weaken Russia covertly and by instigating Ukraine, China is watching as a mute spectator, confused which nation to side with, so in such a scenario India need to be pro active towards its mission Integration POJK. In such a disturbed world order this is the right time, the iron is hot so the Government must strike, extend the jurisdiction of present delimitation commission, raise the number of seats for POJK, hold simultaneous elections for POJK as well. This will definitely bring Pakistan on knees. Moreover it will give momentum to the voice in these areas vying for liberation from the clutches of Pakistani army. Even Baluchistan will also follow the suit and Pakistan’s instability can be cashed on at the moment. This is the right time India must act. Because, logically as well Pakistan does not treat it as its own part is clear from the fact that it has not merged it completely as its fifth province or a state etc, sticking to the post of prime minister is a clear indicator that any time Pakistan has to retreat back and cede it(POJK) to India,. Moreover if Pakistan can nominate a few members from its own area to the parliament /assembly for POJK then why India cannot hold assembly elections for this part of its territory in exile. Pakistan’s action in that part of the Jammu and Kashmir is an adhoc action and it’s a matter of time when Indian army is given green signal to go ahead. A fewer days time and POJK is back and India is connected to south East Asia through bus. This is a prerequisite to bring peace in Jammu and Kashmir as war is an ultimate end to peace. Once that part of POJK is integrated those people themselves are capable to handle Pakistani invaders, infiltrators, even Pakistan army. It’s time to act and fulfil the desire of all POJKiens and a fitting tribute all 35000 Mirpuri’s butchered by the Pakistani invaders. Their generation sitting on this side will heave a sigh of relief and they want to see their ancestral lands or at least those living life at the fag end of life must get this bonhomie. (The writer is serving as an Assistant Director in Jammu & Kashmir Forest Protection Force)
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