1931
Submitted by nazirahmed on Sat, 05/17/2008 - 15:30.
- April: Police official stops the Khutba (sermon) at the congregational religious service of Muslims in Jammu on the grotesque pretext that it alludes to Quranic passages about Moses and Pharaoh and thus indirectly advocates sedition. Protest by worshippers in Jammu led by Ghulam Abbas is held to express vehement disapproval of police action in Srinagar and major towns.
- June: At a large public meeting in Srinagar, 11 representatives are chosen to spearhead liberation movement against Maharaja and his brutality. These include, Ghulam Abbas, Saaduddin Shawl, Mirwaiz Muhammad Yousuf Shah and Shaikh Abdullah.
- July: Thousands of people gather at the Central Jail Srinagar to witness the in-camera trial of Abdul Qadeer, a youth accused of involvement in a case of agitation. The people demand an open trial of Abdul Qadeer. As the time for mandatory prayer approaches, a young man stands for Azan (call for the prayer). The Dogra police open fire on him, and he embraces martyrdom. Thereby, another death-defying youth takes the place of the martyred young man and starts Azan. He too, dies of gunshots. In this way 22 Kashmiris embrace martyrdom one by one in their effort to complete the Azan. This gory episode proves to be a milestone in the popular liberation struggle. The mass agitation begins, Ghulam Abbas and Shaikh Abdullah, along with three other leaders, are arrested.
- July-August:Maharaja's government claims that popular liberation movement is instigated by "outside elements" and announces policy of not permitting speeches creating hatred against his regime.
- August: All-India Kashmir Committee is formed in Lahore to muster support for Kashmir freedom movement led by Dr. Muhammad Iqbal, renowned poet-philosopher. Meanwhile, All-India Muslim League adopts resolution commending the gallant struggle carried on both inside and outside Kashmir for Kashmiris' right to liberation.
- September: Kashmiri leaders are rearrested. On September 24, a large number of young men demonstrate on Srinagar streets. They shout slogans, “we will fight the Maharaja's soldiers". Maharaja responds by display of military armour in the city the next day. Law is promulgated providing for flogging as punishment for political activity. Ordinary citizens are bludgeoned by troops if they fail to shout 'Maharaja ki jai' - victory to Maharaja.
- October: British Viceroy urges Maharaja to adopt conciliatory policy. Leaders are released and asked to present demands, which they do on October 19. Excerpts:
- "We demand same liberties as prevail in British India ... equality of rights regardless of religion ... better terms for labour ... a representative form of government ... the State cannot claim proprietary rights over land merely because Kashmir was purchased from the British."
- November: November 1931-January 1932, No tax campaign is started in Mirpur. Armed encounters occur in Kotli between Maharaja's soldiers and local guerillas. Maharaja's administration in areas now in Azad Kashmir collapses. British Indian government intervenes, moves troops to Jammu and Mirpur. Muslim political party in Punjab - Jamaat-i-Ahrar - launches movement for unarmed "civil invasion" of State. Around 30,000 people are arrested to prevent them from crossing the border. Meanwhile, on Britain request, Reforms Commission is constituted, headed by British official Douglas Glancey and consisting of four public representatives.
- Two Muslims, including Ghulam Abbas, and two Hindus, including Prem Nath Bazaz as members, the Reforms Commission recommends limited reforms including establishment of legislative assembly. Kashmiri Pandits denounce their representative Prem Nath Bazaz for supporting reforms. Hindu newspapers in India condemn the movement in Kashmir as evidence of "dishonorable Muslim communalism". Delegation of Hindu leaders in India meets Viceroy stressing strategic importance of Kashmir to India against so-called pan-Islamic wave.
Related tags:
|
