Kashmir is on the boil once again. Sectarian Muslims in Kashmir motivated solely by a hatred derived by religious bigotry are once again creating mayhem in Kashmir, abetted by Pakistan . Hindus can no longer ignore the plight of the Hindu Pandits of Kashmir who have been deprived of their home and hearth by the Muslims. The Government seems to be insensitive to the sufferings of the Kashmiri Pandits.
The Muslim and Hindu peoples of Kashmir have lived in relative harmony and friendliness since the 13th century when Islam first became the majority religion in Kashmir . The Sufi-Islamic way of life that ordinary Muslims followed in Kashmir complemented the rishi tradition of Kashmiri Pandits (Hindus), leading to a syncretic culture where Hindus and Muslims revered the same local saints and prayed at the same shrines. Periodically however, there have been rulers and leaders who have had a narrow view of Islam, and have subjected Hindu minorities to great cruelties and discrimination. The current armed secessionist movement in Kashmir mostly derives its inspiration from these people. A canard is now being spread past few years by the secessionist-terrorists and their sympathizers that in 1990 Kashmiri Pandits left Kashmir willingly, having been "tricked" by then Jammu and Kashmir Governor Jagmohan. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The fact is that Kashmiri Pandits were driven from their homeland after a campaign of intimidation and harassment was launched against them by the military-wing of the secessionists. Kashmiri Pandits were forced from their hearths and homes at the point of gun. The objective of this ethnic cleansing was to create a minority free Kashmir valley where the goal of Islamization could be easily forced on the ordinary people. However, the history of Kashmir proves beyond doubt that Kashmir belongs to Hindustan . Therefore every Hindu must raise his voice against the atrocities by the Muslims on Kashmiri Pandits. And the Government of India must take definitive steps to show Pakistan and its terrorist organisations and the sectarian forces in Kashmir their place. Historical Chronology of Jammu and Kashmir State App. 3000 B.C.: Kashmir clan is named in Mahabharata. 2629-2564 B.C.: Rule by King Sandiman. 2082-2041 B.C.: Rule by King Sunder Sen rules Kashmir . 1048-1008 B.C.: King Nara rules Kashmir . 250 B.C.: Shrinagari (today's Srinagar is located about three miles from Shrinagari) near the ancient capital Pandhrenatha is founded by Ashoka the Great. 7th century: King Lalitaditya builds the famous Sun temple and formed the city of Pharihaspura . 813-850: Pampore was founded by Padma, during the rule of King Ajatapida 855-883: King Avantivarman builds the town of Avantipur and the famous Sun temple. 883-902: King Shankaravarman builds Shankarapura-pattan (now known as Pattan). 1128-1149: Reign of King Jayasim. mid-12th: Muslim invasion of Kashmir . 1322 Turks, under ferocious Zulkadur Khan, first invade Kashmir . 1394-1416: Central Asian ruler, Sikander invades Kashmir and brings about mass conversion to Islam. After the tyranny of Sikander was over, only eleven Kashmiri Hindu families survive. 1540: Mirz Haidar, a relative of Humayun (of the Moghul invader dynasty) conquers Kashmir . Kashmir gradually absorbed into Moghul Empire. 1810-1820: Maharajah Ranjit Singh, one of the greatest rulers of India , regains Jammu and appointed his Dogra feudatory Gulab Singh to rule the State. Mar 16, 1846: The present State is created by a treaty between the British East India Company acting on behalf of the British Government and Maharajah Gulab Singh in Amritsar . 1931: One of the worst communal riots led by Sheikh Abdullah and his Muslim Conference. 1939: Muslim Conference becomes the National Conference. Aug 15, 1947: India gains independence. The ruler of Kashmir , Maharaja Hari Singh yet to make up his mind regarding accession. Oct 22, 1947: Pakistan violates the Standstill Agreement by preventing essential supplies to the State, then hoards of armed Pakistani tribesman entered Kashmir . Oct 26, 1947: Hari Singh signs the instrument of accession, it is no different than the one signed by over 500 other rulers. The accession of Kashmir was accepted by the Governor General of India Lord Mountbatten. Oct 27, 1947: The first Indian forces arrived in Kashmir to defend against Pakistani troops. Dec 31, 1947: A highly unconstitutional offer of plebiscite was made by Prime Minister Nehru in the U.N. Jan 1, 1948: India under Nehru declares a unilateral cease-fire and under Article 35 of the U.N. Charter, India files a complaint with the U.N. Security Council. Pakistan still controls 2/5 of the State. Jan 20, 1948: The U.N. Security Council in its resolution of establishes the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP). Jul 1948: Mohd. Zafrulla Khan, then the Foreign Minister of Pakistan and principal Delegate of Pakistan in the U.N. admits to the U.N. Commission for India and Pakistan that the Pakistani Army had been in Kashmir . Aug 13, 1948: UNCIP adopts a resolution on Kashmir accepted by both India and Pakistan . Pakistan is blamed for the invasion of Kashmir and is instructed to withdraw its forces from Kashmir . Jan 1, 1949: Amidst great tension, one minute before midnight, India and Pakistan concluded a formal cease fire agreement. Jan 5, 1949: Almost a year after Nehru's offer of plebiscite, the UNCIP passes a resolution that states that, "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". However, Pakistan has yet to comply with the earlier resolution and withdraw from the State. Also, Pakistan is now busy changing the demographic composition of the State. 1949: Not withstanding the opposition by several authors of the Indian Constitution, including Dr. Ambedkar, its chief architect, Article 370 was inserted in the constitution of India . This article is meant as a temporary measure, to be in effect until the formal constitution of Jammu and Kashmir is drafted. Jun 1948: Sheikh Abdullah declares, "We the people of Jammu and Kashmir , have thrown our lot with Indian people not in the heat of passion or a moment of despair, but by a deliberate choice. The union of our people has been fused by the community of ideals and common sufferings in the cause of freedom". 1949: Following the cabinet decision taken by the Abdullah Government, Hari Singh steps down. Hari Singh's son, Karan Singh is named his successor. Apr 1950 UN Security Council appoints Sir Owen Dixon as the UN representative in place of UNCIP to find expeditious and enduring solution to the India-Pakistan dispute over Kashmir . Oct 1950: General Council of the National Conference demands elections to create a Constituent Assembly. Sep 1951: Elections for the Constituent Assembly are held The National Conference wins all 45 seats unopposed. Oct 1951: Constituent Assembly of the State of Jammu and Kashmir is inaugurated. Nov 5, 1951: The Constituent Assembly is given four tasks by Sheikh Abdullah which including the accession to India . Nov-Dec 1951: Karan Singh steps down as the ruler, and is elected by the Constituent Assembly of the Jammu and Kashmir State as Sardar- i-Riyasat (Governor). 1952: Jana Sangh begins campaign called "Ek Vidhan Ek Pradhan" (One Constitution, one leader) and demands that the State of Jammu and Kashmir be totally integrated into India and that the people from the other States be able to visit Jammu and Kashmir without a passport. 1952: Jana Sang leader Shyamaprasad Mukherjee dies in a Kashmiri Jail under mysterious circumstances. Aug 9, 1953: Sheikh Abdullah is arrested. He had turned corrupt and autocrat. He tried to hold India for ransom by giving increasingly anti-India speeches and preserve his power. Feb 1954: Under the leadership of Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED Constituent Assembly of the State of Jammu and Kashmir ratified the State's accession to India . May 14, 1954: The President of India promulgates the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir ) Order placing on a final footing the applicability of the other provisions of the Indian Constitution to Jammu and Kashmir . 1956: Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act 1956, the category of Part B State was aboilished and Jammu and Kashmir was included as one of the States of India under Article I. However, Article 370 of the Indian constitution is still retained. Jan 26, 1957: After the formal inauguration of its constitution, the Constituent Assembly dissolves itself. 1958: All-India services extended to J and K through an amendment in Article 312. 1964: Sheikh Abdullah released from the prison. 1965: Pakistan attacks India , in operation code named, Gibraltar . The defeat of Pakistan results in the Tashkent Agreement between the two countries. Mar 30, 1965: Article 249 of Indian Constitution extended to Jammu and Kashmir whereby the center could legislate on any matter enumerated in state list (just like in any other State in the Union ). Designations like Prime Minister and President of the State are replace by Chief Minister and Governor. 1971: Pakistani attack on India results in the third war between the two countries. Pakistan is completely defeated, over 90,000 of its men surrendered. 1972: India and Pakistan sign the Shimla Pact. Two agree to respect the line of control until the issue is finally resolved. Feb 24-25, 1975: Following an accord signed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Sheikh Abdullah on February 24, 1975, Jammu and Kashmir is made a "Constituent Unit" of India on February 25, 1975. Through this accord Indian Parliament reaffirms its right to legislate on any matter concerning the territory of the State. 1977: National Conference wins the first post-Emergency elctions. 1982: Sheikh Abdullah nominates his son, Farooq Abdullah as his successor setting up a political rivalry between Farooq Abdullah and his brother-in-law G. M. Shah. 1986: In one of the most shameful acts of religious massacre, several ancient historical Hindu temples are destroyed and scores of Hindus were killed in the city of Anantnag . Chief Minister G. M. Shah looses power to his brother-in-law Farooq Abdullah. 1990-1991: In a spate of terrorist violence, 2400 people have died so far, and 300,000 people have been driven out of their homes. Pakistan 's involvement in this carnage of violence is beyond doubt. Do you need more proof that Kashmir is an integral part of India ? Also visit the following websites: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Royal_House_of_Jammu_and_Kashmir http://islamicdangerstill.blogspot.com/2008/12/muslim-invasion-of-india.html http://www.hindubooks.org/sudheer_birodkar/hindu_history/landalienrule.html -- K.Sivakumar
