Separatist Movements in India
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
S
eparatist movements in India can broadly be divided in to various categories on the basis of various factors like geographical locations of area, historical backgrounds, ethnicity, language & religion, etc.
The first important movement discussed in the paper is struggle of Kashmiris for their right of self- determination. Infact, at the time of independence in 1947, the princely states were given the option to either join India or Pakistan on the basis of two guiding principles, geographical contiguity & desire of the majority. But in case of Kashmir, notwithstanding this fact that Pakistan was fulfilling these two principles, the Indian forces entered the valley on the pretext of enforcing the instrument of accession signed between. Maharaja and Indian government in disregard of the agreed principle of accession applied elsewhere & against the wishes & aspirations of Kashmiri people. Meanwhile, however, the people of
Poonch along with Pathan tribes had liberated the area, now called Azad Kashmir.
When India realized that the whole Kashmir could be liberated, it immediately rushed UN Security Council which imposed an immediate cease-fire & ruled that the final disposition of the State of Jammu and Kashmir would be made in accordance with the will of the Kashmiris expressed through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite conducted under the auspices of the
United Nations. But even after the passage of more than six decades, the plebiscite could not be held because of the attitude of successive Indian governments. The Kashmiris continued their peaceful struggle, & the recent movement gained momentum in 1990s because of inspiration they received from similar freedom movements in other parts of world coupled with revolt against atrocities & brutalities being committed by Indian forces in IHK. The Indian forces tried to suppress this movement by using massive force, but could not succeed. In this
S
eparatist movements in India can broadly be divided in to various categories on the basis of various factors like geographical locations of area, historical backgrounds, ethnicity, language & religion, etc.
The first important movement discussed in the paper is struggle of Kashmiris for their right of self- determination. Infact, at the time of independence in 1947, the princely states were given the option to either join India or Pakistan on the basis of two guiding principles, geographical contiguity & desire of the majority. But in case of Kashmir, notwithstanding this fact that Pakistan was fulfilling these two principles, the Indian forces entered the valley on the pretext of enforcing the instrument of accession signed between. Maharaja and Indian government in disregard of the agreed principle of accession applied elsewhere & against the wishes & aspirations of Kashmiri people. Meanwhile, however, the people of
Poonch along with Pathan tribes had liberated the area, now called Azad Kashmir.
When India realized that the whole Kashmir could be liberated, it immediately rushed UN Security Council which imposed an immediate cease-fire & ruled that the final disposition of the State of Jammu and Kashmir would be made in accordance with the will of the Kashmiris expressed through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite conducted under the auspices of the
United Nations. But even after the passage of more than six decades, the plebiscite could not be held because of the attitude of successive Indian governments. The Kashmiris continued their peaceful struggle, & the recent movement gained momentum in 1990s because of inspiration they received from similar freedom movements in other parts of world coupled with revolt against atrocities & brutalities being committed by Indian forces in IHK. The Indian forces tried to suppress this movement by using massive force, but could not succeed. In this
Bibliography: apart of Assam, the Mizo National Front led by legendary leader Laldenga, launched the movement on February 28, 1966 and demanded independence for