Prof Ravinder Chadha
The princely state of Jammu and Kashmir was independent state governed by late Maharaja Hari Singh during British rule in India. Later Maharaja acceded to Indian union on 26 Oct,1948 but Pakistan managed to illegally occupy some part of it named P.O.K (Azad Kashmir) through tribal invasion and appointed proxy prime minister, president and council of ministers from muslim conference and since then continue to have its hold. When English ruled India, the people of Katch, Lasbala, Kharn and Mukarn was independent nation but Pakistan army occupied it in 1948. Baluchistan is half of Pakistan but population is sheer 3.5 percent to that of Pakistan. This was also independent during English rulers. They were also crushed by erstwhile president Zulfikar Butto who got massacred many Baloch leader including Brigadier Akbar Khan Bugti and also captured this part.
Democracy means liberty, we in India are fortunate to have a constitution which safeguards the individuals right, but simultaneously it cannot afford to become home for refugees besides 3 lakh rohingyas and 1.5 crore Bangladeshis. A big number of refugees about 3 lakh are residing in Jammu and Kashmir (U.T). Already about 60 crore of Indian population are living under poverty line. This is meaningless to discuss the fault lines of previous or present govt. J&K, being poor state now union territory cannot afford to take the burden of these refugees.
In 1992, a resolution was passed in Parliament which said that Pakistan occupied Kashmir (P.O.K)is a part of J&K and should be taken back at all costs. But this should be kept in mind that Pakistan would not give it on a platter as this requires strong will of the Government to take it back. It could have been taken back during Bangladesh war but it might be that then govt yielded to international pressure and did not bargain well, instead it gave Chamb area back to Pakistan against some area from Rajasthan border. People of J&K are waiting for those golden moments when some Government shows strong will at it back. Even the people of Azad Kashmir are willing to merge with India because Pakistan Government have never been fair and square with them. So, they want to get rid of dictatorial attitude of Pakistan Government which always manipulates elections and imposes unwanted prime minister in Azad Kashmir leaving people deprived of breathing in free and fresh atmosphere. Now they see the multi dimensional progress made by J&K UT and want to merge with India.
The people of POK are suffering because of none of their fault except they wanted to stay with Pakistan. Media is considered to be a sensitive sector which is controlled by Pakistan Government. Even the land of P.O.K is given to China over ruling the wishes of the people. There are about 12 universities in J&K UT while three in P.O.K depriving people of of region their fundamental right to have better education. We are getting education in Hindi, Dogri, Kashmiri, Punjabi and English languages while in P.O.K only Urdu is in vogue. Most people especially women are uneducated with the result are getting strayed by false propaganda of Pakistan. There exist about 2812 hospitals to provide free health care to 1.5 cr population compared to 23 hospitals thus increasing the sufferings of the people. Pakistan has pleased china to achieve its golden plan of forming sea route through P.O.K. So, it has deputed thousands of Chinese engineers and workers causing lot of resentment among locals whose economy is being shattered. Debt ridden situation of Pakistan does not allow it to say no to China which wants to get its plan through. So, it has installed thousands of Chinese engineers and workers causing resentment among locals whose economy is being shattered. Debt ridden situation of Pakistan cannot dare asking no to china to achieve its plans.
Job problem is another concern of P.O.K people which is constantly showing lower graph because their share is also being grabbed by people from Pakistan.
Now the people of P.O.K feel that their interests will be more secured with India rather than Pakistan. So, this is high time for India to strike when iron is hot.
(The author is former H.O.D Department of Chemistry G.D.C for Women Parade)
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