History of Chalo-II
Naya Kashmir document is the best road map that has been produced during the past eighty years of freedom struggle
Zahir-ud-Din
In August 1944 people were asked to assemble at Sopore. A special function was held with Sardar Budh Singh in chair. Sher-e-Kashmir released and adapted the Naya Kashmir document. This, according to Kashmir watchers is the best road map that has come up during the past eighty years of the struggle.
In August 1944 people were asked to assemble at Sopore. A special function was held with Sardar Budh Singh in chair. Sher-e-Kashmir released and adapted the Naya Kashmir document. This, according to Kashmir watchers is the best road map that has come up during the past eighty years of the struggle.
Contemporary Kashmiris hate Sher-e-Kashmir for `gifting Kashmir to India’. But, differences with him notwithstanding, the Naya Kashmir document is a well researched, well written and comprehensive document. It has answers to all the questions ranging from sovereignty to unemployment.
Unfortunately the historic document was tampered in 1975 when Indira-Abdullah accord was signed. Balraj Puri was assigned the job of modifying the document to suit New Delhi’s interests. Provisions of sovereignty, compulsory arms training and granting asylum to foreign nationals involved in freedom struggles were deleted. But the provisions of unemployment, women empowerment and over all development of the state were retained.
Section 9, 10, 11 and 12 deal with rights of senior citizens, women and children. Section 11 makes mention of right to education. All Citizens shall have the right to education. This right shall be ensured by universal compulsory elementary education, free of charge. In addition a wide system of States scholarships shall be provided for poor students in the higher schools and universities. The mother-tongue shall be the medium of instruction. Free vocational technical and agronomic education shall be organised for adult workers in the fields and factories.
Section 12, women citizens shall be accorded equal rights with men in all fields of national life: economic, cultural, political, and in the state services. These rights shall be realised by affording women the right to work in every employment upon equal terms and for equal wanes with men. Women shall be ensured rest, social insurance and education equally with men. The law shall give special protection to the interests of mother and child. The provision of pregnancy leave with pay and the establishment of a wide network of maternity homes, nurseries and kinder gardens shall further secure these rights.
One of the pioneer’s of freedom struggle, G N Gilkar passed away at Rawalpindi on July 18, 1973. Kashmiris heard about the tragic news from Radio Pakistan. Next day Gayibana Namaz-e-Jinaza (funeral prayer in absentia) was offered at Pathar Masjid. Thousands of people participated in the Namaz-e-Jinaza (funeral prayer), which was led by Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah. On July 20, a condolence meeting was held in Gilkar’s ancestral house at Fateh Kadal, Srinagar. Representatives of all the political organizations participated in the condolence meeting and paid glowing tributes to his memory.
Gilkar incidentally is the person who introduced Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah to politics. He would bring food for Sher-e-Kashmir from his house during the crucial days of 1931. Gilkar has the distinction of founding the Azad Jammu Kashmir government on October 4, 1947. After founding the Azad Kashmir state, Gilkar rushed to Srinagar to strengthen the freedom movement. However, he was arrested and was later sent to Pakistan in exchange for Brigadier Gansara Singh.
During the on-going movement frequent chalo programmes were given by the leadership. It is not possible to make a mention of all such programmes for want of space. A few of them are:
On February 24, 1990 around one million people from all parts of the valley rushed to Chrar-e-Sharief shrine. The call for Chrar-e-Sharief Chalo was given by a commoner, Zaffar Kawa. Shakeel Bakshi of the Islamic Students league (ISL) was very active on the political front then. People urged him to reject the call straight way to discourage such programmes. But Shakeel decided to go ahead with the programme.
A podium was erected in front of the shrine. Shakeel and many others addressed the people. Shakeel stressed need for unity. By this time (February 14, 1990) militant groups other than JKLF had came into being. Minor infighting was also reported at several places.
The 'Charar-e-Sharif Chalo' procession in the words of Ved Marwah was an unbelievable sight. The small town could not accommodate such a heavy rush. No arrangements were made for the the people. The local shops made a good fortune that day.
The JKLF commander, Ishfaq Majid Wani was killed on March 30, 1990. On April 2 more than five lakh people assembled in Eidgah to observe his Rasam-e-Qul. Once again Shakeel Bakshi controlled the proceedings. It was at this function that Shakeel launched his Operation Alfalah. He stressed need for self reliance. Anaaj Ugao Azadi pao slogan was raised on this day. This had an impact. People opted for kitchen gardens. The programme evoked massive response across Kashmir.
After Shakeel’s arrest on April 18, 1990, the Islamic Students League (ISL) distributed vegetable seeds and carried forward the operation.
Chalo programmes of the past two years include, Lal Chowk Chalo (which was always prevented by the authorities) and has been suspended for the time being. Muzaffarabad Chalo (August 11, 2008) when the Jammu religious groups blocked the Srinagar-Jammu highway, the fruit growers sought an alternate route for selling their fruit. Senior Hurriyat leader, Sheikh Abdul Aziz got killed during this march.
On August 16, 2008 Separatists called for Pampore Chalo according to rough estimates more than five lakh people assembled at Pampore to observe the rasam-e-qul of Sheikh Abdul Aziz. A few days later, one million people assembled at the TRC grounds. Geelani addressed the people. He, however, is accused of committing a blunder. He annoyed the leadership by his remarks. However, he apologized in the evening
Unfortunately the historic document was tampered in 1975 when Indira-Abdullah accord was signed. Balraj Puri was assigned the job of modifying the document to suit New Delhi’s interests. Provisions of sovereignty, compulsory arms training and granting asylum to foreign nationals involved in freedom struggles were deleted. But the provisions of unemployment, women empowerment and over all development of the state were retained.
Section 9, 10, 11 and 12 deal with rights of senior citizens, women and children. Section 11 makes mention of right to education. All Citizens shall have the right to education. This right shall be ensured by universal compulsory elementary education, free of charge. In addition a wide system of States scholarships shall be provided for poor students in the higher schools and universities. The mother-tongue shall be the medium of instruction. Free vocational technical and agronomic education shall be organised for adult workers in the fields and factories.
Section 12, women citizens shall be accorded equal rights with men in all fields of national life: economic, cultural, political, and in the state services. These rights shall be realised by affording women the right to work in every employment upon equal terms and for equal wanes with men. Women shall be ensured rest, social insurance and education equally with men. The law shall give special protection to the interests of mother and child. The provision of pregnancy leave with pay and the establishment of a wide network of maternity homes, nurseries and kinder gardens shall further secure these rights.
One of the pioneer’s of freedom struggle, G N Gilkar passed away at Rawalpindi on July 18, 1973. Kashmiris heard about the tragic news from Radio Pakistan. Next day Gayibana Namaz-e-Jinaza (funeral prayer in absentia) was offered at Pathar Masjid. Thousands of people participated in the Namaz-e-Jinaza (funeral prayer), which was led by Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah. On July 20, a condolence meeting was held in Gilkar’s ancestral house at Fateh Kadal, Srinagar. Representatives of all the political organizations participated in the condolence meeting and paid glowing tributes to his memory.
Gilkar incidentally is the person who introduced Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah to politics. He would bring food for Sher-e-Kashmir from his house during the crucial days of 1931. Gilkar has the distinction of founding the Azad Jammu Kashmir government on October 4, 1947. After founding the Azad Kashmir state, Gilkar rushed to Srinagar to strengthen the freedom movement. However, he was arrested and was later sent to Pakistan in exchange for Brigadier Gansara Singh.
During the on-going movement frequent chalo programmes were given by the leadership. It is not possible to make a mention of all such programmes for want of space. A few of them are:
On February 24, 1990 around one million people from all parts of the valley rushed to Chrar-e-Sharief shrine. The call for Chrar-e-Sharief Chalo was given by a commoner, Zaffar Kawa. Shakeel Bakshi of the Islamic Students league (ISL) was very active on the political front then. People urged him to reject the call straight way to discourage such programmes. But Shakeel decided to go ahead with the programme.
A podium was erected in front of the shrine. Shakeel and many others addressed the people. Shakeel stressed need for unity. By this time (February 14, 1990) militant groups other than JKLF had came into being. Minor infighting was also reported at several places.
The 'Charar-e-Sharif Chalo' procession in the words of Ved Marwah was an unbelievable sight. The small town could not accommodate such a heavy rush. No arrangements were made for the the people. The local shops made a good fortune that day.
The JKLF commander, Ishfaq Majid Wani was killed on March 30, 1990. On April 2 more than five lakh people assembled in Eidgah to observe his Rasam-e-Qul. Once again Shakeel Bakshi controlled the proceedings. It was at this function that Shakeel launched his Operation Alfalah. He stressed need for self reliance. Anaaj Ugao Azadi pao slogan was raised on this day. This had an impact. People opted for kitchen gardens. The programme evoked massive response across Kashmir.
After Shakeel’s arrest on April 18, 1990, the Islamic Students League (ISL) distributed vegetable seeds and carried forward the operation.
Chalo programmes of the past two years include, Lal Chowk Chalo (which was always prevented by the authorities) and has been suspended for the time being. Muzaffarabad Chalo (August 11, 2008) when the Jammu religious groups blocked the Srinagar-Jammu highway, the fruit growers sought an alternate route for selling their fruit. Senior Hurriyat leader, Sheikh Abdul Aziz got killed during this march.
On August 16, 2008 Separatists called for Pampore Chalo according to rough estimates more than five lakh people assembled at Pampore to observe the rasam-e-qul of Sheikh Abdul Aziz. A few days later, one million people assembled at the TRC grounds. Geelani addressed the people. He, however, is accused of committing a blunder. He annoyed the leadership by his remarks. However, he apologized in the evening
No comments:
Post a Comment