n 15th August 1947 India achieved its freedom from the clutches of British Empire. Besides the sacrifices of the freedom movement it had to pay the heavy price in the form of partition, wherein Indian subcontinent got divided into India and new born country Pakistan. The British left India but divided the subcontinent on the flawed principle that Muslims cannot coexist with Hindus. Surprisingly, to placate Jinnah, Churchill instructed Lord Moutbatten before he left for India that hair on the head of a single Muslim should not be harmed, that the Muslims are to be protected from the Hindus and encouraged to remain out of the Indian democratic hold.
Unfortunately, this partition salvo instead of acting as a potion for Hindu Muslim friction brought along with it numerous side effects. Jinnah’s dream was realised with the formation of Pakistan but this partition sowed the seeds of prolonged and constant animosity between the two countries. This was forested in the two successive Indo Pak wars of 1965 and then 1971, in which Pakistan was piped at the post. Both Pakistan and India as nations always pull the strings of resolution of the problems in the opposite direction, leaving numerous issued unresolved. One of such important matters which need action from both the sides is the case of refugees who crossed the borders at the time of partition. A few of us actually know the plight of these refugees which migrated onto the Indian soil with lot many hopes and expectations. While attending a function in one of such camps at RS Pura and Chattha Jammu, I was shocked to hear painful and heart-wrenching tales of their destiny. In the poignant voice one of the elderly person pointed out that they have no takers as Pakistan has already shun us away and India is not confirming our citizenship and that their destiny is still lingering on the cross-roads of these two countries. As per my assessment nobody has cared for them and their future. Generations have changed and hopes have faded but till now nothing has turned up for them. Human Rights people and those who claim to be the saviours of humanity too are silent about the human rights of the refugees of 1947, So much so that the light of education has hardly befallen on their fate. Most of them are uneducated with meagre source of income. They cannot procure technical education or higher studies because of their citizenship issues. They have no representation in parliament or any legislature. The doors of panchayat are also closed for them. They live just for the sake of living as their past, present and future is sunken in the abysmal darkness. The way the parched lands of the drought ridden terrains yearn for the clouds, same way the Refugees of POJK look for the voices at the national arena who raise their issues and grievances. Their joys had no bounds when one of the Lok sabha MP, Mr. Rajinder Aggarwal from (Merut constituency) put their issues on the floor of the house which was telecasted live on Lok Sabha TV. At first they could not believe their eyes and ears and tears simply rolled down from the eyes of one of the elderly person showing his dejection and disbelief. These MP’s were just living gods for them. They had a deep desire to meet them and pay their reverence by touching their feet. In fact, I was called to arrange a sort of meeting with these well wishers because of whom their locality had a real Diwali on that night. Their expectations of a better and respectful future and existence got a new lease of life with their agenda getting prominence at the national level. The root cause of this problem lies in the nefarious designs of Pakistan. After partition, it was quite clear that if Kashmir did not join Pakistan on its terms, Pak will use other methods of merger, like the incursion of tribesmen from NWFP into Kashmir in Oct.1947. The raiders went on a large scale killing of Hindus and Sikhs of Muzaffarabad, Dumel, Uri, Baramullah and other parts of valley. It was in these areas of Kashmir that Pakistan came into the illegal occupation later termed as POJK. The raiders fell upon the defenceless Hindus and Sikhs of Muzaffarbad like wolves and vultures killing them in cold blood and kidnapping their females. A handful of Maharaja’s foot soldiers were no match to them. Consequently, to save their respect and life Hindus and Sikhs migrated from the POK area into the Indian Territory. Surprisingly, the UN has always remained silent over putting pressure on Pakistan for its illegal occupation of northern parts of Kashmir. India on the other hand is not ready to resolve the identity crisis as such of these Refugees because once these people will get citizenship of India; it will lose its stake over POK. If Pakistan will evacuate this region (which it will not) the problem of refugees will get solved automatically.POK resolution is also important for many more reasons- First to get its hold back and integrate this region with Kashmir and secondly, with Pakistan’s evacuation, POK which has become the hot bed of terrorist activities, will return to normalcy and most important, semblance of peace will return to valley and also for those helpless residents of POJK living there in despondent conditions and are no better than the slaves. Unfortunately, Pakistan and its well-wishers are clever enough to curb this issue in the garb of false and fabricated stories regarding the process of accession of the state to the Indian union. On the other hand India’s stance is weak enough to put adequate pressure over UN council. All the more Indian administration itself seems to have pushed this issue to the corner, as these people do not form the considerable component of their vote-bank. But of course every cloud has a silver lining. After a long wait of 65 years these refugees of POJK have found a ray of hope coming from Meerut in the form of Rajendra Aggarwal Ji. If at this point of time the persons like Aggarwal JI will not get proper support from the GOI by taking up this issue with strong stance in the UN or other concerned forums then the problem of POJK refugees will continue lingering again for innumerable decades as JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED. |
*Rajesh T Bhatt (freelancer), a Kashmir valley resident from Anantnag, Education: Post graduate in computer Science, working with Telecom sector for last 8 years. Father retired from defence services. Presently living in Delhi with his family. |
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