When a person has been engulfed by the narcissistic purpose and anything beyond his self-centered achievement, appears useless and ill- concerned to him, he would not hesitate for a split second, in indulging in any activity that would be disastrous for the nation or the society, he lives in.
Shaikh, too, was blinded by the sole aspiration of becoming Vazir- e- Azam of Kashmir, dismissing the Dogra Hindu rule and wanting to bring back the Islamic Kingdom again.
In 1942, the entire nation was battling for Bharat’s independence, the ‘quit India’ movement had escalated around the nation and most of the Congress leaders had been jailed, the Communist leaders had labelled Mahatma Gandhi and other Congress leaders as well as all others not supporting their ideology, as the Capitalists and put in all efforts to fail their mission.
In 1944, the National Conference, as it was popularly known, adopted a manifesto called “Naya Kashmir ” which envisaged a pattern of parliamentary democracy in the state, with independent judiciary and also a programme of social, economic and educational reforms.
They launched the “quit Kashmir” movement, which was part of a conspiracy initiated by the Communist. Shaikh’s ultimate target was the Maharaja of Kashmir and he wished that before Bharat obtained independence, the Maharaja should be de-throned.
On one hand, Shaikh had been acting as the tool in the hands of the British, in their mission to fragment Bharat and continue ruling it. Now, the Communists were also added and eventually, Shaikh, became the instrument being used by both the British and the Communist, stepped forward to stab in the back of the patriotic freedom fighters.
Unfortunately, Pandit Nehru began getting closer and influenced by Shaikh Abdullah.
It is an irony and also considerable dismay that Pandit Nehru, supposedly originated from Kashmiri Hindu Pundit dynasty, was in support of a person, fostering a dream of destroying the Kashmiri Hindu reign and establishing one of his own!!!
In the same summer of 1944, with the intention of establishing his hold on Jammu & Kashmir, M L Jinnah, planned his visit to the state. He came on the pretext of rest but began accepting invitations of receptions in his honour.
In one such programme, organized by the National Conference, Shaikh Abdullah and Jinnah, both appeared ambiguous, in their convictions.
However, at the reception held by Muslim Conference, Jinnah in no uncertain terms, appeared in its favour. He stated, “The Muslims have one platform, one ‘Kalma’ and one God. I would request the Muslims to come under the banner of the Muslim Conference and fight for their rights.”
Later, Jinnah presided over the annual meeting of Muslim Conference and in his address, he described the National Conference as “band of gangsters’. When the National Conference launched its “Quit Kashmir ” movement, Jinnah called it, “an agitation carried on by a few malcontents who were out to create disorderly condition in the State.”
It was evident that Jinnah and Muslim League were not in sync with the National Conference and Shaikh Abdullah, where as they were in tune with Muslim Conference and Chaudhary Ghulam Abbas.
This ignited a spark within Shaikh Abdullah and he could envision that his political future would be bleak if the state amalgamated in Pakistan. He has acknowledged in his autobiography, “Atish- e- Chinar” (The Blazing Chinar) regarding the malevolence by Jinnah.
Hence, it was absolutely for his personal political rise, he preferred to join hands with independent Bharat, where their adopted democratic disposition would grant him liberty to twiddle and mangle the integrity and unity of the nation, as per his whims and fancies.
These may appear as harsh opinion but the journey of last Seventy Five years, has proven this to be the truth
Moulavi Yusuf Shah was also condemned severely by Jinnah and depicted as “Rotten Egg”. He conveyed to Moulavi to remain aloof from politics. He added, “We want a leader in Kashmir and not a Mullah”.
Ironically, Jinnah was demanding a separate nation based on religion but he did not want a religious leader (Moulavi Yusuf Shah) to have any power. He was supported by Muslim League and he supported Muslim Conference of Kashmir but he wanted a leader in Kashmir and not a Mullah to be strengthened.
In absolute religious frenzy, the National Conference began the “Quit Kashmir’ movement, on the 10th May 1946. The entire Muslim community was revolting on the streets, protesting against the Hindu Maharaja and the Dogra dynasty. On the 20th May, Shaikh and his supporters were arrested.
This imprisonment saddened Pandit Nehru to a great extent and he communicated to Maharaja to set him free. He opposed the opinion of other Congress leaders and travelled to Kashmir, in support of Shaikh.
Maharaja made a plea to Pandit Nehru, that Shaikh’s protest is blessed by the British against the national interest, hence he should refrain from supporting.
Woefully, under the falsehood of “Kashmiriyat”, the national interest was being bargained. Nehru’s personal bonding with Shaikh prevailed over the national interest. Moreover, all those who stood in support of Kashmiri Hindus were being targeted by the National Conference.
When Maharaja’s repeated requests to Nehru were overlooked, he was instructed to ban his entry in the state. When Nehru entered Kashmir, in spite of the ban, he was imprisoned.
This occurrence sowed the seeds of animosity in the heart of Nehru. The bitterness between the two, remained forever.
Most of the Congress leaders were annoyed with Nehru’s impetuous action.
The then President of Congress, Acharya Kriplani criticized the movement as “Wrongly timed, extremely condemnable and highly opportunistic”.
In 1947, when Acharya Kriplani toured Kashmir as the president of Congress, he replicated this opinion. He told while answering the questions of journalists, that British would have to leave Bharat, as they were foreign invaders, whereas Maharaja Harisinh has been the son of the soil, thus it was inappropriate to demand him to quit from the Jammu & Kashmir dominion.
Paradoxically, Jinnah too, did not have much high regards for Shaikh and his politics. He criticized them as a ‘bunch of rebels interested in mayhem’.
Maharaja too, put in all efforts to curb the revolt.
As a result, Shaikh was forced to retreat and stop the movement. As he was afraid of being arrested, he planned to escape, as usual, but the police force was agile and he was captured while escaping on the 21st May 1946, near Uri.
As per Maharaja’s orders, Shaikh Abdullah was jailed in the Badami Bagh Military Cantonment in Srinagar.
This brought the end to the “Quit Kashmir” revolt.
The series of incidents proved to be fatal for the coming years of independent Bharat. The rift deepened between Maharaja Hari Singh and Pandit Nehru, never to be filled, in their lifetime.
History is witness to the gargantuan error committed by Pandit Nehru, that caused Bharat, it’s integrity.
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
Madhvi Bhuta is the National Executive of BJP Mahila Morcha and a Columnist on various Forums.