It is a grand effort - 300 plus pages of illustrations, tons of research about a land and its issues that are so sensitive that anyone could get offended, subtle humour in each frame to get the message across (whichever way you want) and for someone like me, a basic understanding of 'Kashmir ki Kahani' from where I can explore deeper. Sumit thanks about 100 people in the effort and I am sure there might be more and that indicates what this book is about.
It's a graphic telling of the Kashmir story or an illustrated tale or a comic or whatever you want to call it. Its split into five parts -Hari Singh's indecision, the Sheikh Abdullah era, Militancy, End of a deadlock and Death to 370. It starts with a scene from a film - perhaps Kashmir ki Kali - with Kashmir beckoning India. Hark back to the pre-Independence days of Maharaja Hari Singh, a Hindu ruler who ruled over 70% Muslim population. All was well until 1947 when the 500 odd princely states were asked to join India. Hari Singh dilly dallied and only when he realised that there was an impending attack from tribal mercenaries who had advanced close to Srinagar, did he agree to join. The Indian Armed Forces arrived and kept the mercenaries at bay and that is how that part of Kashmir became part of India. With a little more foresight and decisiveness on the part of the Marharaja (it is mentioned elsewhere) the tale of Kashmir would have been different.
The second part shows the rise of Sheikh Abdullah who rose from the job of a school teacher to be a leader of the majority Muslims in the valley. Sheikh Abdullah however had a secular leaning and his All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference was renamed Jammu and Kashmir National Conference. To address the issue of Kashmir, India referred it to the UN which suggested a plebiscite. Abdullah started a Quit Kashmir agitation in 1946 against Maharaja Hari Singh and was sent to jail. When Kashmir was under attack from the tribal leaders Hari Singh after seeking help from the Indian army fled, and made Sheikh Abdullah the interim Prime Minister. He was removed in 1953 by Hari SIngh's son, Karan Singh (upon the orders of Nehru it is said) and arrested for treason - and remained in jail for ten years. It was around this time also that Shyama Prasad Mukherjee of Hindu Mahasabha protested in Kashmir about the treatment of Hindus and was jailed (and later died in jail). In 1964, ten years later, Nehru got Sheikh released, they had a plan in mind (Rajaji's formula), that Sheikh would act as a bridge between India and Pakistan. But Nehru passed away before it came to light. Sheikh was arrested once again and jailed for 10 years (Shastri ordered it and it was continued by Indira Gandhi) mainly to prevent him and the Plebiscite Front from contesting elections. In 1974 he was released again by Indira Gandhi who made him CM again. He died in 1982 having controlled the fates of Kashmir while he was alive.
After the 1971 war, Indira Gandhi no longer considered Pakistan as a party to the Kashmir issue. The politics in Kashmir also took a turn when Sheikh nominated his son Farooq as the next leader instead of old timers. Things got worse as Jagmohan was made Governor. Indira Gandhi was assassinated in 1984.
The hanging of Maqbool Bhat, allegations of rigged elections, Yasin Malik and the Muslim United Front, the kidnapping of Rubaiyya Sayeed and release of militants in exchange, the continued presence of security forces, the Gawkadal incident, influx of mujahideen and threats and murder of Kashmiri Hindus led to a new era.
BJP's alliance with PDP won the election. Afzal Guru, Uri, Pulwama and then finally abrogation of Article 370 and 35 A, conversion of J and K and Ladakh into Union Territories under lockdown like circumstances is where the story stopped.
Now to do more research and understand this complex story better. I loved reading it.
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