(A necessary reference material)
First Period
Second & Third Period
Fourth & Fifth Period
Sheikh Abdullah fighting his own legacy—where did he err?
As per the current trend throughout the world, we are witnessing the legacy of leaders having lead political movements and put on a high pedestal being demolished and blown to Smithereens.
The aura once associated with Sheikh Mohd Abdullah, the “Mehboob’’ leader `Sher-i-Kashmir’ for Kashmiris, is fighting to safeguard his own legacy, 41 years after his death, (September 8, 1982), as the socio-political discourse of Kashmir has changed drastically over the years.
The revolutionary iconic leader, social reformer and the harbinger of Naya Kashmir—all combined into one, who literary implemented the slogan “Land to the Tiller’’, empowered Kashmiri Muslims with free Universal Education, positions, businesses and enabled them to better their conditions at the expense of Indian largesse.
An esteemed and important member of the Constitution Committee, Sheikh Mohd Abdullah, who inspired awe and tremendous respect even up to the point of devotion in the hearts of Kashmiris, however, seems to fight for his legacy in the changed history of Jammu and Kashmir post 1990s.
In life as well as in death, he remained tall—so much so that the whole Indian Nation mourned his demise. History was created when both the President and the Prime Minister flew to Srinagar to attend to his last rites on the Banks of world-famous Dal lake, where his grave stands guarded presently by an elaborate security set-up following several attempts to desecrate the same by the very Kashmiris who had once emotionally treasured his name in their hearts. Even a modicum of respect for the great Sheikh by observing December 5 (his birthday) as a Public Day was done away with in 2019 and the so-called Sher-e-Kashmir medals are now history.
The astute political awareness of Kashmiris is certainly that the great Sheikh built in them but he is also the most denigrated one for which Kashmiris as well as rest of the Nation have to ponder over.
Over Century old Bhagavad Gita translation by Annie Besant
(Kashmir Rechords Desk)
No other personality has come close to the persona of Shri Krishna who combined in himself all the attributes of an ideal human being and whose life projected the radiance of all the colours that the Universe could design.
The greatest in childhood, greatest as a warrior, householder and a King and the Ultimate as the Lord of Yoga (Yogeshwara).
Kashmir Rechords takes pride in bringing to our esteemed readers a pocket size rare edition of Shrimad Bhagatwat Gita “The Lord’s Song’’, published by noted nationalist, Sh Ganapathi Agraharam Annadhurai Ayyar Natesan (G. A. Natesan) who was an Indian writer, journalist, publisher, politician and freedom fighter from the erstwhile Madras Presidency.
Bhagavad Gita “The Lord’s Song’’, 1908 edition, was authored by none other than the founder of Theosophical Society of India, Madam Annie Besant, who is equally remembered as the First women President of Indian National Congress. Besant was a British socialist, educationist, theosophist, women’s rights and a campaigner for Indian nationalism
On the other hand, G A. Natesan was the founder and proprietor of G. A. Natesan & Co. Madras, which took a lead in publishing nationalist books, the most prominent among whom was The Indian Review.
Kashmir Rechords also requests the interested parties to help in the preservation of this extremely rare book written by a very rare devotee of Shri Krishna.
Kashmir’s respect for teachers
Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a teacher of world repute, a greatly respected scholar, who dominated the philosophical discourse during his time, even though he belonged to the Southern State of Tamil Nadu, commanded a great respect throughout the country.
The Urdu Press in Kashmir, particularly, would devote central space to this illustrious son of India and people even to this day, continue to harbour great sentiment for him besides getting enlightened by this scholar President. Independent India celebrates his birthday as Teacher’s Day. Kashmir Rechords, from its archives, is reproducing these sentiments Kamal Ahmad Siddique’s write-up published on 22nd November 1963 bears testimony to this
No India or Hindustan—Bharat only !
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat’s recent suggestion asking people not to use the word “India” and instead use “Bharat”, has already generated heat and dust in both India and I.N.D.I.A. While some high profile dignitaries have already taken a cue from Bhagwat’s speech in avoiding INDIA, the word BHARAT is right now viral, notwithstanding the fact that Hindi and Urdu media have already been using this word since decades for our Country, like our neighbor—Pakistan who is also addressing us as Bharat— now a viral word !
Kashmir Rechords in the meantime located J Sai Deepak’s book `India That is Bharat’ from its library. The book is arigorous survey of India’s political history since the Papal Bull of 1493 and a topical one to discuss right now!
India That is Bharat: Book Review
The Book touches upon issues like colonisation of India so much so that scholars from the West interpreted everything about India from a Christian perspective. In addition to Colonialist, Deepak discusses Bharat’s Civilization and Constitution.
The Book lays the foundation for its sequels by covering the period between the Age of Discovery, marked by Christopher Columbus’ expedition in 1492, and the reshaping of Bharat through a British-made constitution-the Government of India Act of 1919. This includes international developments leading to the founding of the League of Nations by Western powers that tangibly impacted this journey. It also puts forth the concept of Middle Eastern coloniality, which preceded its European variant and allies with it in the context of Bharat to advance their shared antipathy towards the Indic worldview.
Naming India as Bharat
The Book discusses the presence of ‘India, that is Bharat’ in Article 1 of the Constitution, besides the Resolution adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 22 January 1947. In addition to the above-proposed amendments with respect to constitutionally naming the country as Bharat, the insertion of Part 1-A to the Constitution after Part 1 was proposed by Shibban Lal Saksena, which have also been touched upon by the author.
Kalidasa and Bharat
The Book also talks about the most celebrated and world-famous poet Kalidasa, who had used `Bharat’ in his immortal work depicting the story of his two great characters-King Dushyanta and his queen Shakuntala. The son born of them was named ‘Bharat’ and his Kingdom was known as ‘Bharat’. The Book questions as to why “ we are reluctant to accept from the core of our heart the word ‘Bharat Varsha’ as the name of our country’’.
Like Mohan Bhagwat, it says that “ We must know that this name (India) was given to our country by foreigners who having heard of the riches of this land were tempted towards it and had robbed us of our freedom in order to acquire the wealth of our country. If we, even then, cling to the word ‘India’, it would only show that we are not ashamed of having this insulting word which has been imposed on us by alien rulers.
The Book mentions that ‘Bharat’ or ‘Bharat Varsha’ is and has been the name of our country for ages according to our ancient history and tradition and in fact this word inspires enthusiasm and courage. The author sumps up his work with a Shaloka from Brihadaranyakqa Upanishad…. “Om, lead us from the unreal to the real; Lead us from darkness to light; Lead us from death to immorality; Om Peace, Peace, Peace’
Drinking of wine was quite popular in ancient Kashmir!
Kashmir Rechords Desk
Dr. Sunil Chandra Ray’s ``Early History and Culture of Kashmir’’ gives an interesting account of Kashmir history, society and the life of the people, besides their food and drinking habits. According to the author `drinking of wine seems to have been quite popular in early Kasmira’’ (page number 206)
There is also the reference of the same in Kalhana’s Chronicle of the kings of Kasmira, where “we meet with a large number of personages who are addicted to drinking’’. The drinking of wine, far from being forbidden, has been specially recommended on ceremonial occasions in the Käśmiri Purana. Dr Ray says that Juices from grape and sugarcane, both of which grew in the valley, were distilled into spirituous liquors. The wine, cooled and perfumed with flowers, was appreciated as a delicious drink. Of drinks other than alcoholic, Kalhana mentions a kind of cold sweet drink (tuhina sarkaram) which was taken with great delight in hot summer days
Book Review: Early History and Culture of Kashmir
The book gives a general survey of the history of Kashmir down to 1338, when the throne was seized by the upstart Sahamera, who became the first Muslim Sultan of Kashmir under the name of Shams ud-din. The book, first published in 1957, includes a folding map of ancient Kashmir and some photographs, makes a mention of the Bharata Natya Shastra— an ancient treatise on the arts, originated in Kashmir. It has influenced dance, music, and literary traditions in Indian culture.
Published at Calcutta by U. N. Dhur & Sons Private Ltd, Dr. Ray’s “Early History and Culture of Kashmir’’ is an outstanding piece of research on a very important region of India.
Kashmir and Kingdom of Kuchi
The conversion of intermediate kingdom of Kuchi seems to have been the work of Kashmirian scholars. We know from the life of Kumarajiva that it was customary for youngmen of Kuchi to be sent to Kashmir for higher learning. Through Kuchi and Khotan the influence of Kashmirian scholars spread to China and in the list of learned monks from India preserved in the records of China, those from Kashmir, hold a high place.
The book makes a mention of Buddhism, Saivism and Sanskrit learning that had flourished in the valley and produced a remarkably rich culture until the Muslim conquest overturned the social structure of Kashmir. The integration of Kashmir life was so complete that one of his most remarkable books that Kshemendra, who was himself a Saivaite, produced was on the Avadanas of the Buddha, a classic in later Buddhist literature.
Dr. Ray, through this book, brings out some unique characteristics of Kashmir history. Not only does he give a connected narrative of Kashmir’s political evolution based on all available sources, literary, archaeological, numismatic, foreign allusions etc. but brings out the cultural, religious and social development of the people of the valley.
40 years ago, Opposition conclave was held in Kashmir.
By B. Revti
Like 2023 Opposition parties’ Conclaves being held at places like Patna, Bengaluru or Mumbai, forty years ago one such , similar Opposition `Unity’ Conclave was organised at Srinagar, in October 1983 by then Chief Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah!
Opposition stalwarts like Badal, Biju Patnaik, Jagjivan Ram, N.T Rama Rao etc, representing 17 parties, were found together in a bid to `show resistance’ to former Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N.T Rama Rao was the architect of opposition unity.
The same modus operandi is now being adopted by present day opposition (INDIA) in an unsuccessful bid to take on Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
In 1983, Mrs Gandhi was the first to take the wind out of the Srinagar conclave. On the day the participants were drawing up a fire-spewing resolution against the Centre, she dismissed the Darbara Singh government—-, a move that was welcomed by the entire country – much to the conclave’s embarrassment.
Srinagar Opposition Conclave & 1983 India us West Indies ODI
Apart from Opposition Conclave held in Srinagar in October 1883, in the same month and same year, Kashmir was again in the news! The first One Day International (ODI) cricket match was played at Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar on October 13, 1983. India played the West Indies but spectators digging the pitch during the lunch interval affected the match due to the protests.
It was considered a “deliberate’’ move by Farooq Government only to embarrass Indira Gandhi. Farooq Abdullah had to pay for it when he was dismissed as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir on July 2, 1984.
As against 372 in J&K, PoK has just four newspapers!
Tight controls on freedom of expression have been a hallmark of the Pakistani government’s policy in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). While militant organizations are being given full coverage to propagate their views and disseminate literature, those critical of the Pakistani and PoK government, are facing repression.
The Pakistani government has long limited dissemination of news in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. That is evident from the fact that there is no locally based news agency. In addition, PoK has just two dailies and equal number of weeklies, being published locally. As compared to PoK, newspapers published from Jammu and Srinagar cities on daily basis are more than 370!
Pakistan Occupied Kashmir has no English newspaper of its own, either published from Muzaffarabad or Mirpur—the two major cities of the occupied territory. Ironically, PoK websites show newspapers like Kashmir Times, Greater Kashmir, Kashmir Reader, Kashmir Observer etc. ( all published from Srinagar), as their publications!
Pakistan’s “Kashmir Affairs Ministry” denies permission to PoK newspapers
People living in PoK largely rely on local editions of Pakistani newspapers for news and information. In order to publish within the territory of PoK, newspapers and periodicals need to be granted permission by the Kashmir Council and the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs in Islamabad. These bodies unlikely grant permission to any proposed publication, which are sympathetic to any discourse on Kashmir and its affairs other than that sanctioned by the Pakistani government. The same rules apply to the publication of books. Members of the press have been complained of the intrusive and coercive policies of the PoK government particularly of the ISI and the Pakistani military.
There have been many instances in PoK when journalists, who did not toe to Government or Army line, were subjected to severe kind of torture. Waheed Kiyani, a local journalist working for the Reuters news agency, was once arbitrarily arrested by the ISI when he was returning from the city of Rawlakote after covering a political meeting.
Book on Mangla Dam banned
The PoK `government’ regularly bans books that it considers to be prejudicial to the “ideology of the State’s accession to Pakistan.” This includes all books that propagate or discuss Kashmiri nationalist discourse with its emphasis on “independence for a united Kashmir’’ or merger with India.
Muhammad Saeed Asad, a self-described `Kashmiri nationalist’, living in PoK, has authored numerous books on Kashmir Affairs. Employed as a Social Welfare Officer in PoK, he was, however, suspended in 2002 for writing a book on the Mangla Dam that had questioned Pakistan’s right to water sources originating in Kashmir.
Pakistan has banned three books written by Saeed Asad for being “anti-state and an attempt to promote nationalist feelings amongst Kashmiris.” These include Shaur-e-Farda, banned in 1996, which comprises letters written by Maqbool Butt to his friends and relatives over a span of two decades. Saeed Asad’s book on the Mangla Dam controversy was banned on November 21, 2002, and a book on the Northern Areas was banned in June 2004.
The government of Pakistan is on the other hand willing to fund books and propaganda to the tune of millions of rupees to propagate its own views and stance. People of PoK are forced to listen to “Azad Kashmir’’ Radio, a subsidiary of the state-controlled Radio Pakistan that is mandated to spread canards against India and Indian State.
Official repression of freedom of expression is not limited to controls and censorship specific to Kashmiri nationalists and journalists. Even local public, if they raise anti-Government voice or try to register their anger, are subjected to harshest punishments and troubles.
In spite of imposing a media blackout, social media is abuzz with videos of angry protesters denouncing Islamabad’s step-motherly treatment of PoK as well as heartrending visuals of people scrambling to get hold of a bag of flour!