The British found in Shaikh Mohammad Abdullah an agent who could successfully execute their strategy of ‘divide and rule’. Shaikh was searching for the ‘blessings’ from the British Government to oppose the Maharaja’s rule. In fact, the Dogra regime had derelict the dream of Islamic rule in Kashmir. Shaikh Abdullah was rising to resurrect their dream and he was in dire need of support from significant leadership of Bharatiya  Rashtriya Congress.

The new Maharaja of state, initiated some amendments on his own accord and few, under the pressure of the British Government. The amendments were based on the statute of 1924 and 1927.

But, these amended regulations did not down well with the people of Kashmir. The prevailing dissatisfaction among the Muslim community, resulted  in massacre outside the Srinagar jail and 21 people lost lives. This created a lot of unrest and created the atmosphere of anger and fear.

In order to curb this enraged discontent, the British regent, coerced the Maharaja to appoint  B J Glancey, led commission. B J Glancey was an officer of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of the British Indian Government. He submitted his report to the Maharaja on March 22, 1932. The Hindus felt that his recommendations were not favourable to the interest of the community.

Their protest resulted in expelling  Prem Nath Bazaz from the presidency of Sanatan Dharma Yuvak Sabha and he was replaced by Jialal Kilam. In 1932, the Kashmiri Pandits launched a robust agitation, called Bread Movement, demanding discarding the observations of Glancey commission.

Post independence, the notable weekly, ‘Blitz’ had published a  comprehensive report on 24th April 1965, exposing a fatal national conspiracy, instituted by Shaikh. They had disclosed the original copies of his confidential communications . Dr. H L Saxena, has presented this entire article of ‘Blitz’ in “The tragedy in Kashmir”.

Harikrishna Lal was a dedicated nationalist. He was president of Silk fibre section in the dominion. He was an extremely efficient officer and refused to compromise on his political ideology, as he was nationalist to the core. In 1919, the year when Jallianwala massacre happened, he had participated in the 35th annual adhiveshan of Congress.

B J Glancey knew him personally but when Shri Laal disapproved and declined the purchase of British goods during the Swadeshi Satyagraha, he became a thorn in the eyes of Glancey.  Glancey used Shaikh, in eliminating ShriLaal from the post of director in Silk section. In order to achieve this goal, the divide between Hindu – Muslim, was an important tool. Abdullah, was to flare up Muslims and dispense off Shri Laal.

Abdullah immediately began spreading abhorrence against the ‘Hindu’ administrator of the Silk section and thus, accolades for the British. Shaikh wrote regarding it, to the British Regent, Lef. Colonel Lang on the 4th February 1936, when Lang was stationed at Sialkot.

The note by Shaikh indicated that no further direction had been given regarding the Silk section administrator, hence to consider this note, written in haste and instruct about the strategy to be followed 

He had also informed about the confidential meeting conducted of the Executive members and No Confidence Motion was passed against H J Laal, with unanimous consent. He had further added that Laing would be delighted to hear that the work had been accomplished as instructed. 

He categorically signified that it was now essential to treat this ailment of the Silk section at the earliest and take all curative measures and that would be acknowledged by Shaikh. He concluded that the members of the meeting have prioritized bringing this company under British control. Such an obstinate exchange of words, is an evidence of Shaikh’s wilful route and conduct as “British Agent”!!!

In the words of Dr. Gaurinath Rastogi, “It was his biggest ambition to be Sultan of Kashmir. He could bend to any level and do anything to achieve it. He inflamed and aggravated violent besetment in Kashmir, around the beginning of the fourth decade, itself. The nuisance created by him, exasperated Maharaja Hari Singh to appoint the “Glancey Commission” in order to implement administrative reforms. Mr. Glancey had worked as the head of the Intelligence Department of British Bharatiya Government.

He incapacitated Maharaja to to hand over the Gilgit belt, on the names of administrative reforms. He killed two birds with one stone. Firstly, the Gilgit region came under the dominance of the British and secondly, his old sub-ordinate Shaikh Abdullah was established as a significant political entity. Prior to this, Shaikh was ineffective in Gilgit due to Maharaja’s impact and influence, even though when the Gilgit was a Muslim dominance sector.”

In 1934, the Maharaja announced another Constitutional Act that presented a dyarchical form of Government. The subjects were divided into two sections. Section One, comprised of “Reserve Subjects” who remained exclusively under the charge of Maharaja and Section Two, constituted of “Transferred Subjects” the administration of which, was entrusted to the group of Ministers.The Act also designed, a 75 member Legislative Assembly (Praja Sabha) out of which 37 were elected representatives.

Meanwhile, the freedom movement in Bharat was gathering momentum. The British too, did not want to leave any stone unturned, in fiercely attempting collapse of independent struggle.

In other states, the independence movement was turning out, extremely impactful. The leadership of Indian National Congress took deep interest in happenings in Jammu – Kashmir. The local leaders grasped the need to elicit support of national leaders as well as broadening the base of their agitation against the Maharaja’s Government.

In 1934, differences arose in the working committee of Muslim Conference. The Maharaja had appointed a sub (franchise) committee, with the objective to initiate the limited constitutional reforms. That turned out to be the trigger point for rift, for parallel political movements in the state. 

As the consequences of these differences, the working committee was dissolved and Chaudhary Ghulam Abbas took the reins of Muslim Conference, solely in his hands. The dictatorial conduct by him, evoked failed communication with the Prime Minister of the state and it resulted in a call for Civil Disobedience movement. It too, failed to capture much response and he was sentenced to imprisonment for Six months.

In 1938-39, the Muslim Conference was renamed as “All Jammu & Kashmir National Conference” and its membership was made more inclusive and open to people from all religions, class and sects. This move was initiated by Maulana Sayeed Masoodi and Shaikh Mohammad Abdullah.

In his presidential address, Shaikh Abdullah had said – “In order to secure a responsible government, it is essential to invite Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Harijans to join us. They too are steeped in ignorance. They too pay taxes. They too face hunger. The institution of the responsible government is as necessary for them as for us.”

Shaikh Abdullah then decided to construct a national facade for himself.  He needed blessings of some of the Bharatiya leaders and support of Hindus. He was successful in obtaining the guidance, aid and benediction from Pandit Nehru and Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan.

As Prof. Balraj Madhok had mentioned about this political melodrama of Shaikh in “Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh” on page 39.

“In 1939, Shaikh Abdullah changed the name of ‘Muslim Conference’ and named it, ‘ National Conference’ with the motive of gaining support of Bharatiya press as well as the Indian National Congress. Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan played a pivotal role in this development. He explained to Shaikh, that Muslim population in Kashmir valley was nearly 95 %, hence when the would be transfer of power, he would be assigned the authority as the Kashmiri leader. 

This strategy turned out extremely beneficial to him. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru began taking immense interest in him and his politics. He was appointed as the president of the “All India States People’s Conference”, which granted him an opportunity to come on the national platform.”

Thus, a regional leader, conspicuously communal and British Agent – ready to shed off any patriotic commitment, ascended to the national political scenario, with the favours from Pandit Nehru.

Sources of Information :

हमारी भूलोका स्मारक : धर्मांतरित कश्मीर

नरेन्द्र सहगल

कश्मीर : दहकते अंगारे

जगमोहन जी

जम्मू कश्मीर की अनकही कहानियां

कुलदीप चंद अग्निहोत्री

Kashmir : Behind The Vale

M J Akbar

My Frozen Turbulence in Kashmir

Jagmohan ji