KAHSMIR SOLIDARITY DAY: A HEAVEN IN CHAINS
I am a land tarnished by conflict
I am a land that crave for peace
A land where women get widowed
People tortured, children orphaned
Eyes snatched of light
And violence all in sight
But hope still fight
To get their legal right
I am a Kashmiri’s plight
I am freedom, I am might
I am Kashmir, I am pride
Kashmir a heaven on Earth, has been pushed mercilessly into ages of violence. It has morphed into a place where freedom of expression and right to life are no where to be seen. People live under the clouds of uncertainty, unsure of their future and possibility to see the coming dawn.
Origin of conflict:
The partition of British India into two autonomous nations, Pakistan and India, took place in 1947 amidst great violence and displacement. If the partition of Indian subcontinent in 1947 was one momentous event, another equally crucial, divided the fate of hundreds of princely states that separated terrains. Jammu and Kashmir in particular became a ground for endless battles between India and Pakistan.
Jammu and Kashmir was a princely state with a majority Muslim population ruled by Hindu Maharaja, Hari Singh. When it came to partition, the state was given a choice as to whether it wished to accede with India or Pakistan. Majority of population wanted to join Pakistan, but Hari Singh crushed their will and leaned towards India. This move came at a cost for the couple.
After the accession, a horrendous genocide took place in Jammu against its Muslim population. Systematic killings and ethnic cleansing of Muslims was carried out by the Maharaja’s troops. Hindu & Sikh Migrants from Pakistan coaxed to come to same state by Maharajas forces as well as radical Hindu outfits like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) took part in killings of Muslims.
These atrocities were conveniently forgotten by the British Government under Lord Mountbatten and ignored by the Free India leadership of Indian National Congress led by Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Patel. The genocide was obviously overlooked, making it extremely hard to chronicle the exact number of casualties. But some estimates allege hundreds of thousands of Muslims were killed or forcibly removed from their residences.
The impact of the Jammu massacre on the region was deep. It sowed the seeds of deep-rooted hatred between Hindus and Muslims which, in turn, fueled tensions responsible for Kashmir conflict. This was an incident that tarnished not just India’s secular democratic credentials but also showcased a government’s tilt towards the suffering of its minority Muslim citizenry.
This massacre in Jammu had only started the process of long and tragically protracted conflict over Kashmir. The smaller South Asian region is separated into India and Pakistan, and the two countries have a history of militaristic disputes comprised of wars, cease-fires, and peace initiatives. India triggered turmoil not only in Kashmir, but created a complex geopolitical situation and an unstable region. United Nations did intervene with a plebiscite to determine the fate of Kashmiri people, but India’s downturn on plebiscite did show her intentions with this region. In the meantime, Kashmiri people were left in agony to find themselves stranded in between political maneuvering. With ticking time, India made this region more militarized and firmly adopted the policies of marginalizing Kashmiri people and violating international humanitarian laws. All the tactics by Indian authorities were countered with unarmed resistance and pursuit of justice.
In 1990, the conflict was further escalated when India tried to shatter the Kashmiri movement of self-determination by exacerbating the humanitarian condition in Kashmir. The year 2019 bought about a major, yet again illegal change to the status of Kashmir. The Indian authorities abrogated article 370 and 35-A from Kashmir, fueling the conflict. The region was plunged into curfews and restrictions on freedom of speech were heightened. The phases did change, but not the situation of people. Reports by international bodies unveil the wrong doing of India in this region. India has claimed normalcy of tensions and development in Kashmir but Post 5th August, situations have further worsened. Increased cost of life added with marginalization and savagery for Kashmiri people denies any claims of normalcy.
Significance of Solidarity day:
The significance of Kashmir solidarity day lies in the roots of deep support of occupied Kashmir by Pakistan. Pakistan has ensured that the case of Kashmir is highlighted on all grounds and the people of Kashmir get their rightful freedom. On 5th February, every year Kashmir Solidarity day is observed in Pakistan to show Kashmiris and the world at large that Pakistan has not forgotten Kashmir. Allama Muhammad Iqbal, president of Muslim league in 1931 gave this concept by declaring 14th August as Kashmir day upon witnessing the maltreatment of Kashmiris. Later on, Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Ameer Jamat-e-Islami in 1990 proposed a non working day to show solidarity to Kashmiris and in 1991 the Prime minister of Pakistan, Mian Muhmmad Nawaz Shareef had declared 5th February a national holiday. This day serves multiple purposes, focused on the solidarity with the people of Kashmir and advocating for the right of self determination. This day helps to raise awareness about the Kashmir conflict and human rights violations that are brutally being committed by the barbaric Indian authorities. Seminar, rallies and media shows all across Pakistan not only give moral and diplomatic support to occupied Kashmir, but serves as a catalyst to spread the word in international community as well. This day also pays tribute to the Kashmiri struggle and the people who have lost their lives to see freedom amid the conflict.
Kashmir’s bond with Pakistan:
Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah even in his illness quoted,
“Kashmir is the Jugular vein of Pakistan and no nation or country would tolerate its Jugular vein remains under the sword of the enemy”.
Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah always thought about the Kashmir. He spared no effort to bring the Kashmir issue out of the unlawful occupation of India because he had an unbreakable stand with the people of this territory. On the issue of Kashmir, there is no doubt Quaid had a vision. It was his vision he realized the relevance and the worth of Kashmir for Pakistanis just as it was for the Kashmiris. He loudly protested against Indian invasion of Kashmir by seeing the poor situation of the people of Kashmir even if there was nobody to hear their cries.
Not only the leadership of Pakistan, but the leadership of Kashmir also speaks in favor of Pakistan. Syed Ali Gillani, an unwavering wall against the atrocities of Delhi devoted his whole life to Kashmir cause. His famous line, “We are Pakistani and Pakistan is ours” spoke for the sentiments of unity the people of Kashmir and Pakistan posses. Not just Ali Gillani, but thousand of Hurriyat leaders and millions of people aligned under a unified goal of Freedom of occupied Kashmir from atrocities of Delhi. Mirwaiz Umer Farooq a significant voice for Kashmir’s rights stated;
“The Indian state’s definition of peace in Kashmir isn’t acceptable to us… instead of listening to our genuine political demands, their only response is to use military force to kill us”
The leader of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), Yasin Malik also voiced support towards Pakistan. Former President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Sardar Muhammad Anwar Khan highlighted the role of Pakistan in Kashmir’s struggle and remarked;
“We are grateful to Pakistan for its unwavering support in our quest for freedom”
Ghazi-e-Millat, Sardar Ibrahim Khan was instrumental in leading Kashmir towards a vision and struggle for the right of self-determination. He is remembered as Quaid-e-Azam of Jammu and Kashmir and said;
“Pakistan is incomplete without Kashmir; and Kashmir has no identity without Pakistan”
Obligations of Kashmir Solidarity day:
This day calls for a unified course of action. It falls under our responsibility to include the innocent Kashmiris in our dialogue and honor their struggle. The people of Kashmir are none less than any other population across globe. This solidarity day, lets revisit our promise to Kashmir and the people of Kashmir and bring them justice.
This day is a national holiday for a reason and that is to direct our center of activities towards occupied Kashmir. Seminar and talk shows do bring the awareness and play their part, but individually a lot is needed to be done. The power words hold is unimaginable, so why not express our solidarity with Kashmiri people through our writings. This would not only serve the purpose of awareness regarding the Kashmir conflict, but attract international audience as well.
The miseries of occupied Kashmir must end. The Kashmir must thrive again by resolving this conflict under peaceful resolutions of the UNSC.
Martin Luther King Jr. was an advocate of Humanity. His famous words remain green today and a question one must ask to its oneself.
“The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people”
Written bY: JAWAD HASSAN, Researcher, YFK
- War on Women: Women Rights Violations in IIOJK - March 8, 2025
- War on Women: Women Rights Violations in IIOJK - March 8, 2025
- KAHSMIR SOLIDARITY DAY: A HEAVEN IN CHAINS - March 6, 2025
