{"id":62799,"date":"2016-10-29T17:34:26","date_gmt":"2016-10-29T12:04:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/?p=62799"},"modified":"2017-03-29T14:42:59","modified_gmt":"2017-03-29T09:12:59","slug":"movers-and-shakers-of-kashmir-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/politics\/movers-and-shakers-of-kashmir-part-1","title":{"rendered":"Movers and Shakers of Kashmir – Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Protagonists<\/a><\/p>\n

The perennial unrest in the Kashmir Valley remains a quagmire and a challenge for all stakeholders, as they try and fulfill their respective agendas, civil, political or military. While they battle each other for control and domination, the common man remains caught in the crossfire, praying and hoping for an early resolution to the problem, while yearning for peace and prosperity to return to their state.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s time for us to understand the genesis of the problem before attempting to understand the role and actions of those who have been and remain stakeholders in the Kashmir Valley.<\/p>\n

Genesis to the Kashmir problem<\/strong><\/p>\n

Undivided Kashmir in 1947 was ruled by the-then Maharaja, Hari Singh. At the time of partition, he wanted to remain independent of both Pakistan and India; but when prodded to join the Indian Union, he tried to reach out to the newly formed government in Pakistan for help. He was rebuffed, as Pakistan wanted Greater Kashmir to be part of Pakistan.<\/p>\n

When Hari Singh resisted, Pakistan reacted on 24 October, 1947 by sending in its forces who joined the Razakars, Pathan tribesmen, and reached the outskirts of Srinagar. In their march towards Srinagar they raped, plundered and burnt houses of local Kashmiris.<\/p>\n

To protect his rule, Maharaja Hari Singh turned to Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru for help, who readily agreed to step in if he would accede to India. Maharaja Hari Singh readily signed the Instrument of Accession to India on 26 October, 1947 and Kashmir became a part of the Indian Union. The Indian Army then went in and pushed back the marauding tribals.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, Pakistan protested the Accession claiming it was fraudulently signed and fighting broke out between India and Pakistan in October 1947 and continued into 1948. Pakistani forces took control of Gilgit and Baltistan areas of Kashmir, while India retained what is today known as J&K.<\/p>\n

Pakistan has never recognized the Instrument of Accession to India and has been harping on a promise of a plebiscite made by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to the people of Kashmir. The dispute has festered since then to the present-day situation in the valley.<\/p>\n

Movers and Shakers of Kashmir<\/strong><\/p>\n

The stakeholders of Kashmir, in the past and today, are largely responsible for the present situation. Let\u2019s look at all those individuals and institutions that have played a role.<\/p>\n

\u00a0S<\/strong>heikh Abdullah (1905-1982)<\/strong><\/p>\n