Syeda Mazhar
History is a huge repository of human error and wisdom, fortune and misfortune, triumph and tragedy.If there has ever been a catastrophe to hit Kashmir politically, devastate it economically, ruin it socially and bash it psychologically, it is this Treaty. It’s a storehouse of knowledge the appreciating (both by Kashmir leaders and our younger generations) of whichis crucial not only for making our present momentous but for determining our future course of actions also.Kashmir’s legendary beauty meshed awkwardly with the destitution, illiteracy and infirmity of the vast majorityof its people. The sale of Kashmir to ‘the tender mercies of Gulab Singh in consideration of pecuniary equivalent to be his independent succession, and its sovereignty emerged as a source of weakness rather than strength to the Great government which sold five millions of men for just so many bags of silver.
The ‘Sale Deed’ of 1846, ‘put a largely populated Muslim state under the Dogra rule which has been characterized as despotic, tyrannical and sectarian. A historical event that is largely responsible for today’s adversities under which hides a pile of humiliation is another baleful such occurrence. The proverbs resulted in the defaming of the Kashmiri population of them being lazy and cowardly lest it was never acknowledged the blatant disregard of the locals of Kashmir and utter unfair treatment that fated their destiny to resemble a series of unfortunate events.
Bruising the Kashmiri pride massively the Treaty of Amritsar; nay the Treaty of Melancholy was negotiated to thrust upon Kashmir by those born in alien territories and brought up in an unfamiliar ethos: the British and their cohorts who with their sharply divergent civilizational moorings and racial stocks were neither related to nor acquainted with the hapless victims; its inhabitants.
The most terrorizing trickery of this size ever experimented in history was too haughty to recognize the people anything beyond chattel worthy of nothing but to be sold in the open souk for such a little amount as 2 rupees per head. With a nominal price fixed on each soul sold along with an assortment of belongings: hutments, land, animals and even water and air, as famously lamented by Poet Iqbal, it was really the most profitable business ever indulged in by any oriental king, prince or raja.
As a long-term investment with incalculable returns for an eternity it was really a propitious moment for a petty feudal vassal–a onetime lovebird and an unnatural and unethical service provider to the known sex manic of history; the lion of Punjab–to be decorated, for his treachery to his benefactors, with the royal, magisterial title of the Maharaja, which he assumed on reaching Kashmir; a far off place with which he was an unfamiliar like other aliens.
History, however, has seldom offered such an exalted position and an inexhaustible opportunity to a novice of humble origin, with a huge baggage of indescribable immoral, corrupt and unethical practices to his credit, to fiddle with the rich resources of a lush green country like Kashmir, theJanat-i-bay-nazir, and defraud its people for insignificant amounts.
What do we expect from a whole nation of simple and trouble-free people was sacrificed at the altar of a new paradigm of political merchandize and auctioned off against a pittanceamidst the rattling of their self-esteem. The story of the tragedy we are all facing as people doesn’t end here. These people have experienced constant state of war even after the partition of the Subcontinent. The tensions between Pakistan and India have been rooted in the Kashmir Issue. The State’s massive significance geo-politically, socially and culturally has caused numerous wars and untold death and destruction for both India and Pakistan.
It is quite evident that the Kashmir issue has evolved over time. It has changed from a relatively simple territorial dispute to a far more complex cultural, religious and political issue having global implications. Any solution simply resolving the territorial dispute would be inadequate. Therefore, it is necessary that the problem also be dealt with on its religious, cultural and social fronts if there is to be any hope of peace in the valley.
The restoration of peace can only be achieved by, firstly, cessation of all sorts of violence in the State. International pressure is very important as it could put an end to the training camps and monetary assistance that terrorist organizations have ample access to. Demilitarization of the region has now become of eminent importance than before. For Pakistan because of the continuous accusations faced due to the phenomenon of terrorism. Similarly, India must attempt to resolve border disputes, and develop a friendly relationship with China before it can set about resolving the Kashmir issue. As long as Pakistan and China remain allies and have India as their common adversary, the strategic importance of Kashmir will not allow any solution to the issue.
In this wide world everybody is free to discuss anything or hold any views. This applies particularly to the people in the West. But in our country some people take a very casual view and think aloud about the future of Kashmir. They care two hoots for the country’s law and the Constitution. Hence, the forever undecided fate of Kashmiris needs to be addressed by the International Community as well as Pakistan and India, but, most importantly, the people of Kashmir themselves. It is about time they are given the basic right of being able to choose for themselves.
