This has reference to Prof. Fida Muhammad Husnain’s letter (GK, 06 August) in eulogisation of the patriotism of R.C. Kak. While no serious historian believes in ‘ifs’ of history, nonetheless, it must be pointed out that the heavens would not have fallen had Shaikh Abdullah supported Kak’s idea of independent J&K. The historical fact is that, by the logic of Partition, J&K, as a Muslim majority princely state, should have acceded to Pakistan. However, the tribal invasion in pursuit of that aim and its aftermath (Maharaja’s conditional accession to India and Abdullah’s approval) together with the passing of UN resolutions added a complex dimension to the Kashmir problem. Taken historical facts from 1947 to 1975 as a whole, what ineluctably emerges is the helplessness of Abdullah following the tribal invasion and an abysmal and monumental blunder committed by him, against the background of his valiant struggle first against the Dogra oligarchy and then Delhi, in signing what may be termed the most disgraceful accord with Indira Gandhi. The enduring tragedy of Kashmir since 1989, as I have shown in my several writings, lies in Shaikh Abdullah’s attempt at bartering the honour of his nation for occupying the chair of chief minister. It is high time, therefore, in the context of the State’s repressive policy against the rising generation of angry Kashmiri youth, that Delhi first realized the abiding importance of restoring J&K to its primary constitutional position and then entering into a meaningful and positive dialogue with different shades of public opinion in J&K.

Prof Muhammad Ishaq Khan
ishaqkhanm@yahoo.com

Lastupdate on : Tue, 10 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 10 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
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