When NC called for freedom

It was in 1953 the realisation had dawned on Sher-e-Kashmir that the 1947 arrangement was fragile and detested by most of the people. He tried his best to rectify the wrong. He sought for liberation and urged Nehru to leave Jammu Kashmir alone. However, Nehru responded by ordering his arrest


A report released on April 20 at Islamabad says Sher-e-Kashmir favoured armed struggle for liberation of Jammu Kashmir in 1953. The report compiled by noted historian, Shabnam Qayoom is based on the leader’s speech of July 13, 1953 and has been dedicated to Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah. Qayoom believes Omar is different from his grandfather and father and has the gut “to probe all killings since 1990.”

In the above quoted speech, Sher-e-Kashmir said, “These martyrs have prepared us for bigger sacrifices to achieve our freedom and our right of self-determination. If required, our youth would not desist from fighting a liberation war on the lines of Algerian people.”
Sher-e-Kashmir also said, “I regret my mistake of coming in the way of merger with Pakistan. I had fears that they won’t treat me well, but I was wrong. Now I feel backstabbed, I no longer trust Indian rulers, we have different ways now.”

Shabnam’s report stands corroborated by Constituent Assembly member, Abdul Gani Goni’s interview with this scribe during the summer uprising of 2008 at his Barazulla residence.

Goni said: “By 1948 Sheikh Sahib had realised his mistake of supporting state’s accession with India. He had started dreaming of an independent state and expressed it without any reservations. During those fateful days, Moulana Azad visited Kashmir. Sheikh Abdullah delivered a fiery speech at Hazratbal. Azad also wanted to address the people but Sheikh Abdullah sabotaged the move. A humiliated and angry Azad immediately left for New Delhi.

Soon after, Nehru came to tame his friend (Sheikh Abdullah). He was accompanied by his sister and Home Minister Dr Katju. They stayed in the Nehru Guest house. In their presence a meeting of the National Conference working committee was held. The working committee session continued for four days. The meeting discussed some vital issues pertaining to Kashmir. A defiant Sheikh told Nehru in clear terms that he and Kashmiris were not happy with state’s accession to India. He sought an independent state much to Nehru’s annoyance. However, Nehru being a matured politician controlled his anger and urged Sheikh Abdullah to stay patient for some time. He told Nehru: `I and people of Kashmir are not happy with India. Please leave us alone. We want to remain independent.’

Nehru reacted politely. `A park has been named after me in Srinagar. I was under the impression that people from India would come here to enjoy themselves. Anyways, if you want to remain independent, I have no objection. I am going to London for a conference. After I return I will talk to you.’ Nehru did return from London but not to give independence to Kashmir. He had planned to cage the roaring lion of Kashmir.”

This incident has been narrated by Goni in his autobiography Sada-e-Bazgusht on page 54. “Nobody expected Nehru to arrest and dethrone Sheikh Sahib. Soon after the working committee meeting I went to Doda. In Doda I heard about the arrival of a Union Minister Mahavir Tyagi in Srinagar. He was very close to Bakshi. And what happened is history.”

According to Goni, Sher-e-Kashmir behaved and roared like a lion during the NC working committee meeting held in Nehru Guest House as Nehru and the then home minister watched the proceedings. It was during this meeting that Sher-e-Kashmir demanded total liberation of Jammu Kashmir. However, the roar that created a stir in the entire sub-continent did no good to Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah and Kashmir. The caged lion fell from grace slowly but surely. Goni unveiled another side of Sheikh’s personality. Goni was the speaker of legislative assembly in 1975. One day he was informed about Sheikh Sahib’s arrival in the assembly complex. Goni narrated the incident. “I greeted Sheikh Sahib. He was dejected. He said, `Show me my room.’ I informed him no room in the complex was meant for him. I further informed him that only chief minister can have a room in the assembly complex. I was surprised by his answer. `I want to see that very room.’ I was pained to see the lion of Kashmir in such a state of mind. ”

Goni paused for a moment. He was going to share a secret. “Before leaving the assembly complex, Sheikh Sahib said, `I have offered enough sacrifices. I cannot offer more.’ I shook hands with him and watched him leave the complex amid shock and utter disbelief.”

Goni revealed vital details about the constituent assembly members and their stand viz-a-viz accession of Jammu Kashmir to Indian union. “Please do not make these details public during my life time. Further some of the members are still alive. I do not want to embarrass them”, he requested.

Surprisingly Sher-e-Kashmir has not made a mention of his only roar in his Aatish-e-Chinar. He has not mentioned about the working committee meeting as well for unknown reasons.

Indian army men ‘abduct, rape’ Kulgam woman in Kashmir

Source : Rising Kashmir

SRINAGAR, JULY 21: A young woman has accused two Indian army men of "abduction and rape" in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district. Police has registered a case formed SIT to investigate the case while MoS Home Nasir Aslam Wani has assured that guilty persons will be punished

Official sources said a young woman (name withheld) hailing from Gujjardara-Manzgam in Kulgam district alleged that she was abducted by some army personnel from Kheranbal Behak on July 19 and gang-raped. She said that she was released last night by the Indian army men. The woman, according to her family members, left her residence on early Tuesday morning for ablution. “However, she did not return. After three days, the woman returned and alleged that she was abducted and gang raped by army men,” they said.


Police has registered FIR No 66/2011 under section 376 at Police Station Damhaal Hanjipora.

After coming to know about the incident, senior police officers rushed to the concerned police station in Kulgam and recorded her statement. DIG South Kashmir Range, Shafqat Watali said the woman recorded her statement before police and alleged that she was raped by two Army men. “We have recorded her statement and her medical examination will be conducted,” he said. He said case of rape and abduction has been filed in the concerned police station.DIG said they have also talked to General Officer Commanding Victor Force and he assured full cooperation from Army’s side in the probe.

Meanwhile, tension gripped Damhal Hanjipora as people came out on roads and held protest demonstrations. Chanting anti-army slogans, the protestors were demanding stern action against the erring army men. “The guilty army men should be identified and punished so that such acts don’t recur in future,” they said.
Sources said sensing the sensitivity of the issue, Sakina Itoo, Minister for Social Welfare, who is also MLA D H Pora alongwith Minister of State for Home Affairs Nasir Aslam Wani, Director General of Police Kuldip Khoda and ADGP K Rajendra reached Damhal Hanjipora and interacted with the people.
They said Itoo told people that investigations into the case have been initiated and anyone found guilty will be punished under law.

Minister of State for Home Affairs Nasir Aslam Wani told Rising Kashmir that he met the woman and recorded her allegations. “We have directed police to file an FIR and take up investigations. We have directed police to thoroughly investigate the matter. Whosoever is found guilty will be punished,” he said.
Sources said a team of senior army officials was deputed by GoC 15 Corps Lt Gen S A Hasnian to the area to ascertain the facts.

A police spokesman in a statement issued in the evening said, “At about 1 pm, Rukaya accompanied by her brother in law reported that on July 19 (Tuesday), at about 7 in the evening, when she was returning from a nearby spring to her home, two persons in security force uniform appeared in her way. Both were carrying weapons and forced her to accompany them to Jungle. The duo kept her in a dhok and raped her. They were talking to her in Gojri and left her this morning. She reached her home and informed her brother in law-Shah Wali Bhat about the whole incident”.

He said Police Station Damhal Hanjipora have registered a case. “A Special Investigation Team has been formed to investigate the matter,” he said.

Meanwhile, opposition Peoples Democratic Party has demanded a thorough probe in the case.
Condemning the incident, a PDP spokesman said this was yet another instance of lawlessness that has made lives and honor of the people insecure. “Such incidents were on a rise,” he said and demanded a thorough probe and investigations into the incident. He said full facts should be brought out and culprits involved in this crime should be brought to book and given severe punishment.

CPI (M) State Secretary and MLA Kulgam Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami said the case must be thoroughly investigated and culprits brought to book. “There should be no leniency in the investigation,” he said and demanded a judicial probe. (With inputs from PTI, KNS)

USA not to be the second prison camp for Kashmiris

Rawalpindi, MTT News Desk: The senior writer and analyst on Kashmir affairs, Ch. Sajjad Ahmad has strongly condemned the illegal arrest of renowned Kashmiri leader and the head of Kashmiri American Centre, Janab Syed Ghulam Nabi Fai in USA on fake charges of working for Pakistan's top intelligence agency ISI.

Reacting on the sad news of arrest of Syed Ghulam Nabi Fai, Ch. Sajjad Ahmad said that this shocking news is a ajor blow to the peaceful struggle of liberation of jammu & Kashmir from Indian occupation.

"It was not expected that USA will fall as low as it did, to please India." he said further, "The dreams to sell nuclear technology and traditional arms including fighter Jets to India are still far from becoming true."

Ch. Sajjad Ahmad said that USA arrested Ghulam Nabi Fai during US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit to India and the timing is critical.

He said that USA could have postponed his arrest for couple of days to avoid allegations that USA had intentionally arrested Ghulam Nabi Fai to please Hillary's Indian counter part. "Stopping Pakistan's military aid, blaming Pakistan for cross border terrorism in India, fake bomb blasts in Mumbai and this recent move of arresting Ghulam Nabi Fai on fake charges, are the steps taken by USA under influence of Indian and Israeli lobbies in USA. Which are working, day and night, against Pakistani and Kashmiri interests in Washington."

"But this is not going to harm the peaceful struggle of Kashmiris," he said "India will have to leave Kashmir one day. Sooner it leave better it would be."

Ch. Sajjad Ahmad said that he would soon call a meeting of all writers and analysts on Kashmir issue to discuss the situation after arrest of Ghulam Nabi Fai. "If we have to go to the streets, we will not hesitate to do so. USA will have to release Ghulam Nabi Fai at all cost." he said.

"We will not allow USA to become a second biggest prison camp of Kashmiri leaders and activists." he said.

Ghulam Nabi Fai was arrested by law enforcement agencies in USA, alleging him for working as an agent for ISI.

USA authorities claimed that Ghulam Nabi Fai was receiving heavy money from Pakistan's ISI.

Ghulam Nabi Fai belongs to Occupied State of Jammu & Kashmir (OSJK) and applied for asylum in USA in 1980 after fearing death threats from Indian government. Since then, he is living in USA and heading the USA chapter of Kashmiri American Centre

Published at : Mark The Truth