Its a nation that grew up in massacres, rapes, abduction, brutal torture, and extreme hatred. It's a nation whose only crime is that its majority converted to Islam hundreds of years ago peacefully. Conversation with Islam took place in the late 13th century. Islam in the Valley was influenced by Sufi tradition. Syed Ali Hamdani (Amir-e-Kabir) who visited Kashmir at least thrice. He is the one who converted Kashmiri Pandits to Islam. It was a smooth transformation. No arms were used.
Kashmiri Muslims have a unique identity that blends Islamic practices with the region's cultural and linguistic heritage. The valley's Islam is influenced by the Sufi tradition, emphasizing peace, mysticism, and spirituality, historically distinguishing it from the orthodox practices seen elsewhere in South Asia.”
It's a nation that has been living under siege by the Indian army since 1947. Its army, civil servants, and those who control it from New Delhi are accomplices in the rape and torture of innocent people.
People are living under the tyrannical rule of a so-called secure government that acts like an extremist, violent Hindu occupying army. Its tale of the massacre began in the 1940s when Hindu rulers and masses incited by the Hindu nationalist organization RSS engineered the worst massacre of Muslims in Jammu.
To ethnically cleanse the occupying army, the Governor of Kashmir, Jagmohan, manipulated the events and created conditions to the exclusion of Kashmiri pundits from the valley.
The RSS, with the help of the military and others, concocted false narratives and presented the Muslim victims of Kashmir as villains. Today, the Hindu nationalists are engineering a mass exodus of Kashmiri Muslims to eradicate them and their history and turn the state into an extremist Hindu state. The Hindu army of Maharaja targeted thousands of Muslims in the Jammu region in a series of brutal attacks.
They organized massacres, leading to the deaths of tens of thousands of Muslims. Some estimates of those killed vary widely, but figures range from 20,000 to 100,000, according to historians,
To quote a 10 August 1948 report published in The Times, London: “2,37,000 Muslims were systematically exterminated – unless they escaped to Pakistan along the border – by the forces of the Dogra State headed by the Maharaja in person and aided by Hindus and Sikhs.
Here is the story of the Muslims of Kashmir since the massacres of Jammu.
During the creation of Pakistan, communal violence was widespread throughout Punjab and other parts of North India, affecting Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs. Jammu, with its mixed population of Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs, was no exception, and the political instability exacerbated tensions. In late 1947, as communal violence spread, Hindus targeted thousands of Muslims in the Jammu region were targeted in a series of brutal attacks. They organized massacres, leading to the deaths of tens of thousands of Muslims. Some estimates of those killed vary widely, but figures range from 20,000 to 100,000, according to historians, though exact numbers are difficult to verify. The violence led to mass displacement, with a significant number of Muslims fleeing to the newly created Pakistan, particularly to what is now known as Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Hundreds of thousands of Muslims were forced to flee, many of them traveling across dangerous terrain and conflict zones.
Hindu officials of the Jammu region wanted to change the demographic makeup to ensure Jammu would remain a part of India, leading to targeted attacks against the Muslim population. The massacre led to a massive migration of Muslims from Jammu to areas in Pakistan, contributing to the demographic shift that made Jammu a Hindu-majority region. The violence added to the communal division in the region and worsened Hindu-Muslim relations, impacting the future of Jammu and Kashmir. The forced migration and the killings in Jammu remain a painful memory for the affected communities and are part of the larger narrative of loss and trauma from Partition.
Lingering Tensions: The massacre in Jammu, along with other Partition-related violence, has left a legacy of mistrust and communal tension in the region. It is one of the reasons why Kashmir remains such a sensitive issue in India-Pakistan relations, with both countries viewing their actions through the lens of historical grievances and communal solidarity.
Underreported in History: The Jammu massacre is less discussed compared to other events of Partition, perhaps due to the region's complex political history and the sensitivity surrounding Jammu and Kashmir. In recent years, however, there has been more attention to documenting and acknowledging this event.
Commemoration and Advocacy: Advocacy groups and historians continue to call for greater recognition of the massacre's impact, both as a historical record and as a means to promote peace and reconciliation in the region.
The Muslim massacre in Jammu is a tragic episode that highlights the human cost of Partition and the communal violence that scarred the subcontinent. It underscores the importance of addressing historical grievances and fostering dialogue and understanding to bridge divides in the Jammu and Kashmir region and beyond. Understanding these events is essential for comprehensively exploring the Kashmir dispute and the broader India-Pakistan conflict.
Kashmir is one of the most protracted and complex territories in modern history, involving issues of nationalism, self-determination, religious identity, and regional security. Its resolution requires navigating these deeply rooted issues and addressing the aspirations of the Kashmiri people living under occupation.
In 1947, Indians agreed to divide the country based on religious lines, creating Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan. Princely states like Jammu and Kashmir could choose which country to join.
The Maharaja of Kashmir, Hari Singh, initially wanted to remain independent but eventually acceded to India in exchange for military assistance to fend off a rebellion from the people.
This accession led to the first Indo-Pakistani War (1947–1948). The United Nations brokered a ceasefire, which established the Line of Control (LoC), dividing Kashmir into areas administered by India (Jammu, Kashmir Valley, and Ladakh) and Pakistan (Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan).
The UN also called for a referendum to let Kashmiris decide their future, but it never took place.
India claims the entirety of Jammu and Kashmir based on the Maharaja's accession and considers it an integral part of the nation.
Pakistan claims that Kashmir should have become part of Pakistan because of its Muslim-majority population, viewing the region as an incomplete part of the Partition process.
People in Kashmir have expressed a desire for self-determination. Some groups advocate for independence, while others seek to join Pakistan.
The region is strategically significant, sharing borders with China, India, and Pakistan. Both countries view control over Kashmir as critical to their security interests.
In addition to the 1947–1948 war, India and Pakistan fought wars in 1965 and 1999 (Kargil Conflict) over Kashmir. The conflicts did not lead to any lasting resolution.
In 1989, an armed freedom movement broke out in Indian-occupied Kashmir, with some groups supporting Pakistan and others advocating for independence. This conflict intensified India-Pakistan tensions and led to a heavy Indian military presence in the region.
Pakistani forces infiltrated positions on the Indian side of the LoC in Kargil, leading to a limited but intense conflict. India eventually regained control of the territories after a military campaign. This event underscored the volatility of the LoC and the potential for escalation.
In August 2019, the Indian government revoked Article 370, which granted Jammu and Kashmir special autonomy within India. The Hindu ruling party divided Kasmir into two Union Territories: Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
Pakistan condemned the move, which sparked widespread protests in the region and criticism from some international quarters. India, however, argued that it was an internal matter aimed at integrating Kashmir fully and ensuring development.
China also has interests in the Kashmir region, particularly in the area known as Aksai Chin, which it administers but which India claims as part of Ladakh.
The 1962 Sino-Indian War and ongoing border tensions in areas like the Galwan Valley have added to the complexity of the Kashmir dispute.
While the UN has passed resolutions on Kashmir recommending self-determination, no solution is in sight.
The United States, Russia, and other countries have sometimes mediated diplomatically, but the issue remains unresolved mainly because India and Pakistan insisted on a bilateral resolution.
Kashmir remains heavily militarized, and occasional skirmishes occur along the LoC.
Both countries face pressure to resolve the issue peacefully but are not honest in their dealings with the people of Kashmir. Kashmir remains a flashpoint in South Asian politics.
The presence of the Indian Army in Kashmir has remained a highly controversial issue for decades. This military presence and the allegations of brutality come from India's efforts to contain the self-determination movement. Below is an overview of the issues surrounding the Indian Army's activities in Kashmir, reports of human rights abuses, and the impact on the Kashmiri population.
India deploys a significant military presence in the region to curb Kashmiri aspirations.
When Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, was asked on August 8, 2019, about the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35 A, his spokesperson responded, “The Secretary-General has been following the situation in Jammu and Kashmir with concern and makes an appeal for maximum restraint. The position of the United Nations in this region is governed by the Charter of the United Nations and applicable Security Council resolutions. The Secretary-General is also concerned over reports of restrictions on the Indian side of Kashmir, which could exacerbate the human rights situation in the region. The Secretary-General calls on all parties to refrain from taking steps that could affect the status of Jammu and Kashmir.
The brutality of the Indian Army in Kashmir is part of a complex and long-standing conflict involving issues of self-determination, national security, and human rights. The heavy military presence and AFSPA have contributed to a cycle of violence and mistrust, creating lasting trauma for the people of Kashmir. Addressing these allegations and fostering an environment of accountability and reconciliation are essential steps for any peaceful resolution in the region.
Muslims constitute the majority population in the Kashmir Valley, which has shaped both the regional identity of Kashmir and its complex role in the broader India-Pakistan conflict.
Here's a look at the cultural, historical, and political dimensions that affect Muslims in Kashmir:
Population Composition: The Kashmir Valley is predominantly Muslim, with over 95% of the population Muslim. In contrast, the wider region of Jammu and Kashmir (before the 2019 reorganization) included Hindu-majority Jammu and Buddhist-majority Ladakh, creating a diverse religious landscape.
Distinct Cultural Identity: Kashmiri Muslims have a unique identity that blends Islamic practices with the region's cultural and linguistic heritage. The valley's Islam is influenced by the Sufi tradition, emphasizing peace, mysticism, and spirituality, historically distinguishing it from the orthodox practices seen elsewhere in South Asia.
Cultural Marginalization: Many Kashmiri Muslims feel that their cultural heritage and religious identity are increasingly marginalized in the face of political changes. Festivals, Sufi traditions, and Kashmiri language and literature hold deep cultural significance and are part of their unique identity.
Economic Struggles: Decades of conflict have weakened the economy in the Kashmir Valley. The tourism sector, once a major source of revenue, has been especially impacted. Young Kashmiri Muslims often face limited job opportunities, leading to frustration and a sense of alienation.
Calls for Self-Determination: The desire for self-determination remains strong among many Kashmiri Muslims, although opinions vary on whether this would mean greater autonomy within India, independence, or union with Pakistan.
Religious and Political Suppression: Some Kashmiri Muslims feel that increased centralization and militarization have led to restrictions on religious freedom, curfews, and surveillance, which impact daily life and religious practices.
India-Pakistan Tensions: Pakistan claims to support Kashmiri Muslims, viewing the Kashmir issue as a matter of completing the partition process. India, meanwhile, asserts that Jammu and Kashmir are integral parts of its territory. International responses have varied, with occasional calls from human rights organizations for the protection of Kashmiri Muslims' rights.
Kashmiri Diaspora: Many Kashmiri Muslims living abroad continue to advocate for the rights and self-determination of Kashmir, bringing international attention to their struggles.
For Kashmiri Muslims, the conflict is not only about territorial claims but also about safeguarding their cultural identity, autonomy, and rights. Their situation remains one of South Asia's most complex humanitarian and political challenges, with deep roots in history, religion, and political aspirations. Addressing their concerns and aspirations remains essential for lasting peace in the region.
This is a well written article which gives an in depth analysis of pain , sufferings and torture of Kashmiri people. Let this article bring some resolution of their pains and hardships. Enough is enough let there be peace and prosperity in Kashmir .