| News Details |
| Global Counter Terrorism Council organizes a Conference on 73rd Anniversary of Accession Day | | 
New Delhi, October 26 (Scoop News)- Global Counter Terrorism Council (GCTC), leading International Civil Society Think-tank on Monday evening organized a daylong Conference observing the 73rd anniversary of the Instrument of Accession, executed by Maharaja Hari Singh, the then ruler of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, declaring that the state accedes to India.
GCTC in a statement said that the event will discussed the invasion of Jammu & Kashmir by Pakistani forces on October 22, 1947 and the signing of the Instrument of Accession, on October 26, 1947.
The first inaugural address was given by Dr Kanwal Sibal (Padma Shri awardee, former Indian Foreign Secretary, Chairman of the Advisory Board at GCTC). Dr Sibal remarked that the entire process surrounding the accession of Kashmir was very hasty. He talked about the role of British interference in the politics of the Indian subcontinent to safeguard its own interests and prevent the USSR from gaining influence in the region as a hampering factor in the J&K issue.
Dr Shekhar Dutt (former Governor of Chhattisgarh, Retd. IAS officer, patron of GCTC) noted that Pakistani leaders took advantage of the special status given to J&K, while stating that he was in favour of the abrogation. He called it a “people-centric move”, and said he believed that it will act as a catalyst for the state to develop to its fullest potential, improve governance and fulfill the needs of the people.
Aman Hingorani (Advocate on Record, Supreme Court of India) brought about a legal perspective to the discussion by noting that Pakistan has never had any locus standi as the accession was legally binding and applicable to the entire region of Jammu and Kashmir, including Azad Kashmir and the Gilgit region. He emphasized that article 370 was never and has never been the cause of the Kashmir issue; it is was taking Kashmir to the international domain that created the problem.
Session 1: Contemporary Perspective On An Old Conflict
Subramanian Swamy (MP, Rajya Sabha, Former Union Cabinet Minister, GOI)
Mr. Subramanian Swamy was the chief guest of the conference; he began by shedding light the process of integration of the Princely States with the Union of India and giving a brief about Instrument of Accession under the British Raj. He went on to express his strong belief that's the petition taken up by the former Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru at the UN should be withdrawn now as it is null and void and has no legal validity. Mr. Swamy said that he believes that the legal problems of Kashmir are over, what remains is the moral problem : the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the valley, which he wishes to pan out soon.
Alok Bansal (Retd.) (India Foundation)
It has become a habit to blame leaders of the past, there were constraints . But the fact is we did whatever best could have done. As far as the pandits are concerned some amount of returns have started but we should create a settlement where they can feel secure and see the situation when they start feeling safe they can move from there. Nyaya Kashmir needs a new approach.
Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM** (Retd) (Member, National Disaster Management Authority, Former GOC, 15 & 21 Corps)
Start all over again, leave out these shenanigans. It is only going to make things difficult .Why didn’t the Indian Army give the last push to conquer important features like Pandu. On the military front one thing which was missing was strong command ,probably the advisors who were commanding on the issue did not want the situation to complete India’s favour .
Mir Junaid (President, J & K Workers Party)
Historically J&K was sold by Britisher to the Maharaja for the amount of 75lakh . The life of Kashmiris are filled with scars given by three regimes- Afghans, Dogras, Sikhs. Jinnah thought Kashmir was in his pocket .The erstwhile Kashmir was multi-cultural and it naturally made itself suitable as a part of India .It had a tradition of Sufism
Sushil Pandit (Activist, Owner – Hive Communications, Founder – Roots of Kashmir)
On Aggression- It started on 22nd of Oct formally, but the raids started much earlier there were cross border raids ,harassment etc. The aggression started even before that Omkar Singh Kalkat Major-General had a detailed plan shared .Britishers were complicit ,they knew about the aggression .A detailed plan on aggression was available to the Govt of India in 20th of Oct . But all the detailed plans were brushed out.
The session was Moderated by Pranesh Kumar Roy, Deputy News Editor & Anchor, TimesNow; a leading English News Channel of Time Network
Session 2: Moving Beyond the Ongoing Conflict
Kuldeep Khoda (Former DGP, Jammu & Kashmir)
Kuldeep Khoda on Kabali Raid said that there was a growing aggression & Maharaja wanted Kashmir to be a part of India, when the kabali raid took place he organized his own party. The slogan they had was not HUM HINDUSTANI HAI TAIYAR it was HUM KASHMIRI HAI TAIYAR,there was a growing emotion against Pakistan.
Sudhanshu Mittal (Political Thinker)
Sudhanshu Mittal said the fundamental issue is the will of Kashmiri. He mentioned that the monarch never cared about the will of people. Mittal read out the part of the constitution stating Kashmir as an integral part of India . He added that the expression of the will of people is the most profound part but this was not looked upon. He also added that the event of 19TH Jan 1990 ,the most shameful part of Indian history, the ethnic cleansing where a community of people was told to leave the territory within a stipulated time forcefully is very shameful.
T.C.A. Raghavan, IFS (Retd.), Director, General Indian Council of World Affiars & Former India’s High Commissioner To Islamic Republic of Pakistan said that the larger issue before us is how we craft the path given J&K is in a diplomatic geo-political zone.
Prof. Amitabh Mattoo, Professor of Disarmament Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal University & Former Vice Chancellor-Jammu Universitysaid that there is conflict in Kashmir and there is a conflict off Kashmir.
Senge Hasnan Sering; a researcher who is an eminent human right activist, started by pointing out the jagirdari system,he commented on history of Pakistan occupied territory, Gilgit .Sir also talked about the monarchical era of Maharaja Hari Singh where there was constant tension due to religious differences between the ruler and the ruled. He also mentioned about the tribal invasion from Pakistan. He emphasized Nov 1947 when Brown mutinied the then Kashmiri ruler.
The session was Moderated by Aarti Tikoo Singh a leading journalist from the valley who is currently Foreign & Strategic Affairs Editor, IANS, India; leading news agency of India
Session 3: Creating Space for New Inspiration
Dr. Ajay Chrungoo (Chairman, Panun Kashmir) said the youth mind change should be changed and brain washing should be stopped. It's not the nationalist who has to be protected but the separatists who has to be protected. We have to look at the elementary section. Article 370 , it's a liberating act. In J&K states, genocide has been throughout. There is a different scenario now.
Dr. J. Jeganaathan (Asst. Prof. National Security Studies, CU Jammu)
The narratives have slightly changed. Two aspects. The surgical strike and balakot strike has appeased the youth of India. And this is the new India . India is very robust with narrative building in terms of border. It has a strategic value. Kashmir is the lifeline and we cannot ignore this to Jammu valley. We are bringing to the public debate and also the water related projects. New leadership and new ideology from Kashmir and also pointing on the issues. We have to see in coming years the new genre of politics.
Amjad Ayub Mirza (British Commentator, Columnist Journalist, Political Activist)
Jammu and Kashmir has become an issue because of bilateralism. People have been outspoken and also balance of opinion after the Article 370. Cross border terrorism has reduced remarkably. Significant thing, the people of POK have woken up as a result of this. Also as a failure of Pakistan it has opened their eyes. The situation in J&K is a war prone situation and needs to be sorted out. We cannot deal with the valley like other states. Peaceful coexistence are social political acts that takes place in political harmony.
Sheikh Mohammad Imran (Former Deputy Mayor, Srinagar)
Pakistan Prime Minister, Imran Khan while addressing the world leaders stated that Pakistan has more potential than the USA. Sheikh Mohammad Imran asserted that Kashmir has more potential than Pakistan. Jammu-Kashmiris need to beg and bribe for giving birth, birth certificate, death certificate, getting a job and for inhume purpose also. The local resources of Jammu and Kashmir like Dal Lake, Kashmiri rice, Baswan, Nadru and local fruits are spoiled. Development of Jammu and Kashmir must be put into focus to show that the decision of scrapping Article 370 was perfect. The development may be of long term as it is the eleventh hour to start in action for the government to work at the grassroots level.
Lt. Gen Rakesh Sharma PVSM (Retd.) (Former, Adjutant General, India Army)
Violence has been lesser comparison to last few years. Push to the major larger projects which move the states. This is a credible change and also the political process went back, positives and negatives in the course of one year. The most important issue is getting the people's mind right. The issues anxious, the narrative needs to be changed. Corruption in Jammu and Kashmir is more than other states which must be look into.
The session was moderated by Nabila Jamaluddin a leading journalist from India Today Group; leading news Channel of India
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