A good number of people from Kashmir have been sacrificing in much more heroic ways than Nelson Mandela and others. Little is known about them. This is so inspite of the fact that their dedication surpassed the commitment of the heroes of other freedom movements. Reason for this state of affairs is that Kashmiri leadership has never bothered to keep profile of those who have been working for emancipation of Kashmir. The intellectuals remain on sale and write for what ever they get crumbs of bread from the cultural academy and other state sponsored institutions.
One of the unsung heroes of Kashmir is Raja Jehangir Khan. He has a distinction of being subjected to longest continuous tenure of imprisonment. Raja Jehangir Khan’s ancestors belonged to Mirpur. The family because of its influence had been entrusted important positions of administration by Mahraja’s of Kashmir. The problems for the family however, started soon after the advent of Indian rule in Kashmir. Most of the Punjabi speaking Kashmiris were against accession of Kashmir with India. Same was the case with Kashmiri speaking Muslims. Vocal segments among Kashmiris however, overshadowed the silent majority. Sheikh Abdullah, being architect of Kashmir accession with India didn’t like those who opposed his policies. He made it a point that those opposed to accession are made to leave the state. Some of them were forced to migrate to Pakistan and Pakistani administrated Kashmir. Others were subjected to atrocities and genocide in various parts of Jammu province. Even Pandit Prem Nath Bazaz was not spared for opposing accession. He was first fired upon and later on jailed for three years in 1947. After his release he was made to leave the state.
Jehangir’s family also faced the same fate. A good number of family members migrated to Pakistan. Others were banished. Those who remained back didn’t digest the accession and continued to work against it. For years they tried to mobilize Kashmiris against occupation. Lands of so many were declared to be enemy property and confiscated. Sheikh Abdullah himself got disillusioned with India soon after the landing of Indian army in Kashmir. He started to feel uneasy about the hegemonistic attitude of Indian state. The group of Kashmiris which was against accession started to get closer to him. Indian government didn’t like proximity of the Sheikh with separatists. Sheikh was dethroned and detained in 1953 and implicated in Kashmir Conspiracy Case. Jehangir Khan who had already been detained for allegedly dumping ammunition in Reyar along with Brigadier Rahmatullah Khan too was framed in this case. All those involved in this case were set free in 1964 except jehangir khan. Koka Paray’s of those days subjected Jehangir Khan to inhuman and degrading treatment. He was alleged to have organised a meeting with Brigadier Rahmatullah Khan in Poonch. Jehangir khan was also accused of cross border communications. In 1964 he was arrested on smuggled explosives from across LOC. In 1968 district and sessions judge acquitted in this case. Jehangir Khan however was rearrested within five months. Being a high profile prisoner Sheikh Abdullah enjoyed hospitality inside and support of so many people outside .Jehangir and others had to defend themselves on their own. Sheikh enjoyed a huge sum of money as family pension. Family of Jehangir had to face third degree treatment. Land reforms also added to the woes of the family. Huge chunks of land got out of hand. Detention, joblessness, no hands to cultivate the remaining lands, no one to look after education of children. This was the state of affairs of the family. Jehangir was continuously persuaded to be a witness against Sheikh. He turned down all such persuasions. Finally Sheikh was acquitted in Kashmir conspiracy case. Jahangir had no one to plead his case Since most of other family members had migrated. Job of arranging defense for Jehangir had to be performed by his wife. Most of the cases pending against Jahangir were adjudicated in Poonch. Communication was not easy during those days. Family was not even familiar about dates of adjudication. Tenure of Jahangir’s jail was so lengthy that his children could see him after decades. His son was able to see him only after passing matriculation. After serving twenty two years in jail Jehangir was released. Even after his release he was subjected to continous vigilance and harassment. When Sheikh Abdullah made a U-turn in 1975 for his ascendance to power he wanted Jehangir to accompany him in his new pursuit. Jehangir flatly refused his offer terming Sheikh”s new posture as beginning of Awaragardi rather than a march towards Izzat and Aabru for Kashmiris. Events of past fifteen years have proved Jehangir right. Shiekh Abdullah’s U-turn a disaster.
One of the unsung heroes of Kashmir is Raja Jehangir Khan. He has a distinction of being subjected to longest continuous tenure of imprisonment. Raja Jehangir Khan’s ancestors belonged to Mirpur. The family because of its influence had been entrusted important positions of administration by Mahraja’s of Kashmir. The problems for the family however, started soon after the advent of Indian rule in Kashmir. Most of the Punjabi speaking Kashmiris were against accession of Kashmir with India. Same was the case with Kashmiri speaking Muslims. Vocal segments among Kashmiris however, overshadowed the silent majority. Sheikh Abdullah, being architect of Kashmir accession with India didn’t like those who opposed his policies. He made it a point that those opposed to accession are made to leave the state. Some of them were forced to migrate to Pakistan and Pakistani administrated Kashmir. Others were subjected to atrocities and genocide in various parts of Jammu province. Even Pandit Prem Nath Bazaz was not spared for opposing accession. He was first fired upon and later on jailed for three years in 1947. After his release he was made to leave the state.
Jehangir’s family also faced the same fate. A good number of family members migrated to Pakistan. Others were banished. Those who remained back didn’t digest the accession and continued to work against it. For years they tried to mobilize Kashmiris against occupation. Lands of so many were declared to be enemy property and confiscated. Sheikh Abdullah himself got disillusioned with India soon after the landing of Indian army in Kashmir. He started to feel uneasy about the hegemonistic attitude of Indian state. The group of Kashmiris which was against accession started to get closer to him. Indian government didn’t like proximity of the Sheikh with separatists. Sheikh was dethroned and detained in 1953 and implicated in Kashmir Conspiracy Case. Jehangir Khan who had already been detained for allegedly dumping ammunition in Reyar along with Brigadier Rahmatullah Khan too was framed in this case. All those involved in this case were set free in 1964 except jehangir khan. Koka Paray’s of those days subjected Jehangir Khan to inhuman and degrading treatment. He was alleged to have organised a meeting with Brigadier Rahmatullah Khan in Poonch. Jehangir khan was also accused of cross border communications. In 1964 he was arrested on smuggled explosives from across LOC. In 1968 district and sessions judge acquitted in this case. Jehangir Khan however was rearrested within five months. Being a high profile prisoner Sheikh Abdullah enjoyed hospitality inside and support of so many people outside .Jehangir and others had to defend themselves on their own. Sheikh enjoyed a huge sum of money as family pension. Family of Jehangir had to face third degree treatment. Land reforms also added to the woes of the family. Huge chunks of land got out of hand. Detention, joblessness, no hands to cultivate the remaining lands, no one to look after education of children. This was the state of affairs of the family. Jehangir was continuously persuaded to be a witness against Sheikh. He turned down all such persuasions. Finally Sheikh was acquitted in Kashmir conspiracy case. Jahangir had no one to plead his case Since most of other family members had migrated. Job of arranging defense for Jehangir had to be performed by his wife. Most of the cases pending against Jahangir were adjudicated in Poonch. Communication was not easy during those days. Family was not even familiar about dates of adjudication. Tenure of Jahangir’s jail was so lengthy that his children could see him after decades. His son was able to see him only after passing matriculation. After serving twenty two years in jail Jehangir was released. Even after his release he was subjected to continous vigilance and harassment. When Sheikh Abdullah made a U-turn in 1975 for his ascendance to power he wanted Jehangir to accompany him in his new pursuit. Jehangir flatly refused his offer terming Sheikh”s new posture as beginning of Awaragardi rather than a march towards Izzat and Aabru for Kashmiris. Events of past fifteen years have proved Jehangir right. Shiekh Abdullah’s U-turn a disaster.
Allah apko jazai khair day showket sahib.
ReplyDeleteThe work u ve done is a sign of highness. It shud be an eye opener for oll hartali leaders who ve kept the nation unknown 4m such real heroes. I sugest them to come off their self made thrones n openly declare their dogma or participate in elections to let the things be transparent
I ve no confidence on these high profile freedom struglers. They must wake up n learn a leson 4m the muslim browherhood in egypt or sleep 4ever coz v dont want to tred this undecided path with unsure n foggy climate weather around..