On Imagining Ghosts
[color-box color=green]Author, Pamarty Venkataramana, examines origin, relevance of article -370 and decadence of values as a result of it. He stresses on the need for the new Prime Minister of India to take firm action to scrap this anachronistic provision lying embedded in the Indian Constitution for real independence of citizens of India[/color-box]
Perhaps the most contentious provision contained in the Constitution of India is article -370 . It is a ‘temporary provision‘ conferring a special status on the state of Jammu and Kashmir that was incorporated in the very beginning by founding fathers, apparently under duress from chief architects of the new Nations of India, West Pakistan and East Pakistan .
The special provision has been specifically designed to prevent the Parliament of India from reducing it increasing the birders of this border -State of the country. Article-370 is the umbilical cord which has not been cut from the womb of a Motherland although it is six decades since this prejudice – ridden provision of law was brought into the Constitution of India in 1952.
Ostensibly, a thorn in the flesh for real unity of a massive land comprising of erstwhile Princely States of few hundreds , this was a rigged – in provision to accord special status to the northernmost part of the new ,emerging nation called INDIA! This too was an erstwhile kingdom where the ruler was a Hindu whilst a majority of the local population of subjects belonged to the Muslim religion. West Pakistan and East Pakistan were carved out of mainland Indian nation since these regions comprised of a majority of people who professed Muslim -religion .
Before proceeding further to the crux of the matter and the reasons surrounding the said peculiar act of State , it is equally important to note the fact that the then wealthiest ruler in the world ,the last Nizam of Hyderabad Deccan ,located in the central part of India had a burning desire to carve a Central Pakistan there ,upon merger of all other princely States into one large Nation . Here, reverse was the case. Ruler was a Muslim by religion whereas the majority of subjects were followers of Hinduism .
How then was the plan /conspiracy of the Nizam thwarted effectively by Sardar Vallabhai Patel ,the deputy Home Minister -cum – Minister of States ( Home Minister ) as he was reigned in to accept position of Rajpramukh ( a la Governor ) with a monthly privy purse of fifty lakhs rupees coupled with about 28- trust deeds guaranteeing possession of listed properties & treasures to himself & his heirs whereas the State of Jammu & Kashmir was in control of an over-powering Jawaharlal Nehru who ‘ let go ‘ of that State to hands of ‘Sheikh Abdullah ‘ & dynasty ,is a study in contrast of patriotism, pragmatism and pugnacity of purpose . A different chapter ,altogether . Yet, closely connected to the reason for article-370 being injected into the Indian constitution and imposed upon the whole of India .
Rest of Indians could not buy property in J & K State on account of article-370 . Whereas ,all Kashmiris are free to roam around freely across mainland India and even wield positions as Ministers in the Union Cabinet and aspire to own assets across the length and breadth. A genocide in fact resulted not many years ago with all Hindus ,the predominant Kashmiri Pundit community being singled out for brutal attacks and driven out of their native State .
So much of water has flown under the bridge so to speak since the day the Nation’s first Premier , Jawaharlal Nehru , himself a descendant from clan of Kashmiri pundits committed the Himalayan blunder . A lot of criticism has been heard of the imperialistic streak with which article -370 was brought to super-impose the will of a section of the society over the will of a majority of the people of India . Those inimical to a united Indian nation kept crying hoarse over a cry of ‘ azad Kashmir ‘ and all the acrimony has led to a spate of killings by those terrorising all India in name of ‘ liberating ‘ Kashmir from the clasp of the parent -country,India . Whichever be the side survivors take, umpteen number of innocents have lost their lives, thousands of families driven away and millions are prevented from stepping in to that most beautiful land endowed by Mother Nature with indescribable beauty .
Peace is the casualty. Nationalism thus , must take the centre-stage . But, the lack of a Parliament of India housing any single party attaining absolute majority accompanied by the will to ‘ unify ‘ the Nation in true spirit of founding of Indian Nation deterred such a move . Added to these missing circumstances was the uncanny truth of the dynasty of Sheikh Abdullah holding the post of the Chief Minister of the State of J & K, almost uninterrupted,till date .
At long last, India has voted in an assertive manner . Narendra Modi ,the fifteenth Prime Minister of India has led the Bharateeya Janata Party to a thumping majority on the planks of nationalism, unity and integrity of India . It is a curious fact of history that a vast majority of his following comprises of believers of ‘One India ‘ and ‘ Hinduism ‘ as the way of life .
The tide has turned now. The bitterness of terrorists and those wanting to wean away local,native residents from the Republic of India in name of Islam of neighbouring Pakistan has been far out-numbered by the nationalist Hinduism -adhering NaMo voters. This is clearly marked by the eerie fact that predecessor strongman party,Congress has just as many elected members in the parliament of India as the number of ministers in the present Cabinet of mr.Modi ,i.e, 44! The total strength of Members in the house of people ( Lok Sabha ) is 543 covering constituencies in all States of Indian nation ,including J & K .
Will of the People via Parliamentary resolution can well prevail now that the Prime Minister is not one who had constraints of depending on coalition parties or regional satraps but he who has time and again exhibited qualities of being ‘a dictator in mind but democrat at heart!’ .
A fear psychosis has been created around the natural act of the parent -Nation abrogating this strange legal conundrum slipped into a neat demarcation of different countries out of the great indian sub -continent by the colonial rulers from England when they felt it unprofitable for their business interests to continue to stay in control of powers they had seized over two centuries of conquests. The very same ghosts ,imagined and real ,of terrorism peppered by religious bigotry and hegemonic ambitions of a tiny nation ,Pakistan are sought to be let loose on the iron-willed NaMo chiefly by inheritors of mantle of power in J & K state, aided and abetted by anti -national forces as well as anti-social elements ,located within and outside Indian Republic.
The truth is not far to seek. Jammu & Kashmir ,when integrated into mainland of Republic of India becomes a real example of unity in diversity as well as opens up avenues for all entrepreneurial citizens to set up shop , return to a scenic homestead or just bask in glory of reunification / home-coming of J & K with Indian Republic.
We, the people of India have a most ancient history much ancient to that known to modern civilisation . Hordes of attackers from far-off, distant lands have ,throughout the ages of History , sailed seas , crossed deserts and climbed mountain ranges to plunder ,loot and take away fabled treasures , spices and condiments from the abundantly blessed Indian land. Eyeing the land rightly dubbed the cradle of human civilisation, infinite knowledge and unequalled wisdom has been the common sin of these visiting clans . Humility and hospitality have been the two legs on which Indian culture has thrived . This ,unfortunately , has also become the curse of this seemingly docile ,yet valiant land . Thus far …!
But no further !
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Till today, i knew in brief about this issue.
But, understood the depth today, after reading the detailed article. Especially the linkage between Nizams of Hyderabad and this issue.
Youngsters of my age group, generally avoid to read or discuss these topics, finding it boring or they say, “Apne ko kya fark padta hai yaar”, but, being a true citizen of India, it is our responsibility to atleast be aware of our history and its implications, so that, on right time, we will be able to contribute, if required.
I think, one way or the other, the issues like corruption, reservation or Article 370, do effect each and every citizen of country, because, we are child of “Bharat mata” and if it effects my country then i cant go unaffected!
Jai hind!
As one who spoke extensively on the Fai case along with former Union Home Secretary and a true nationalist who handled the Nizam of Hyderabad estate cases,as chief architect and prevented the export/siphoning away of national wealth, as one who braved assaults for safeguarding nation’s interests, I do not view article -370 as a subject of debate but thorny bone to be dismantled from the system of Indian polity . Scrap 370 and get done with it.
Enemies within the nation are more than foes attacking from across the birders.
Wake up folk. Stop being timid, docile even as hype is being mischievously created by those acting against unity and integrity of India.
No more vacillation.
There are no two arguments to the truth.
NaMo will become a chairman Mao if he scraps article -370.
He has the guts ,the vision as well as the backing.
Jai hind!
PVR
Dear Editorji,
Please replace the truncated map of India.
A map of India without any exclusion of J & K state befits the words.
Jai hind!
PVR
Highly controversial issue. There is no straight forward solution to 370. It has its own defects & benefits.
The author has pointed out many points which are valid. However we should engage some author from other side too. Problem is they are not forth coming as they have been told that J&K is not part of India or Pakistan. They want their own country.
I think, we can talk but not in aggressive way. Let us talk some more time..say 15-20 years & when new generation is mature & willingly to accept India as their own country, we can remove 370.
I appreciate Author’s effort & study on this subject.
Thanks to your invitation, I was able to pen the thoughts on the burning issue ,conveniently sidelined by predecessor minority governments of India . We must wearing blinkers of non alignment,appeasement,and so forth.
Jai hind!
PVR
Dear Editorjee,
Please replace the header with India map full of J & K.
Delete that traitor’s tweet as a header.
Regards,
Jai hind!
PVR
Art.370 was a cementing factor when Constitution was drafted but unfortunatalythe cement has not dried up even in 65 yrs.Likewise,reservation policy which was a temporary measure for 10 yrs.have become a permanent feature.
Well said Sir.
Scrapping article -370 will alone help cement the national ethos with its citizens . Rest of india must not be restricted from stepping into J & K nor certain segments driven out or killed by terrorists from their native State of J & K .