Tvaam-Aham Praarthaye Nityam Vidyaa-Daanam Ca Dehi Me ||
The above hymn dedicated to the Goddess of learning Sharada is chanted by all students in India since ancient times. Sharada peeta (see pic above) is now located in a depleted condition in the village 'Sharda', PoK, Pakistan. This temple of Saraswathi is believed to be built by King Lalitaditya (724-760 CE). This shrine has hosted scholars like Adi Shankara and Kalhana. It was said to be the most ancient centre of learning in the sub-continent. Being the centre of learning Kashmir was also called 'Sharda Desh' during those times.
Shankaracharya Temple
This temple is situated on the Shankaracharya hill located in the south-east of Srinagar. Saint Shankaracharya is said to have stayed in this temple during his 'paada-yaatra' to Kashmir, about ten centuries ago. Saint Shankaracharya is the proponent of 'advaita' philosophy. He has established four 'matts' (places of worship and learning) at Badrinath (Jyothirmath) in the north, Puri in the east, Dwaraka in the west and Sringeri (Karnataka) in the South.
Amarnath Temple
Amarnath Temple located in Pahalgam, Anantnag Dt of Kashmir, is one of the holiest shrines for Hindus. The cave temple is covered by snow throughout except for a brief period during summer, when a stalagmite (a mounting block of ice with flat top) is formed which is workshipped as 'Shiva Linga'.
Kheer Bhawani and Awantipur temples near Srinagar, Martand (Sun temple) temple in Anantnag are also sacred pilgrimage centres.
Kalhana's Rajatarangini
Kalhana (12th century) was a Sanskrit scholar from Kashmir. He wrote 'Rajatarangini' which is the history of Kings of Kashmir. Kalhana has acknowledged the greatness of Buddhism too in his book. Even now good number of Buddhists are living in Ladakh part of Kashmir.
Other Sanskrit scholars from Kashmir include 'Patanjali, Dridhbala, Vasugupta, Utpala, Abhinavagupta, Kshemaraja and Anandavardhana.
Islam entered Kashmir during 13th and 15th Centuries. Hazratbal Mosque
on the banks of Dal lake, Srinagar is well known as a holy relic (hair of Prophet Mohammed) is preserved here.
Kashmir today
During last three decades Kashmir has become a thorn in the flesh for India. With the active support of Pakistan, terrorism in Kashmir has taken a heavy toll. The movement also seems to be having the popular support from a section of locals as witnessed by repeated bandhs, hartaals and acts of stone-pelting by youth.
Plight of Kashmiri Hindus!
Kashmiri Hindus had to bear the brunt of rise of fundamentalist forces since 1989-90. About 20,000 of them were reportedly tortured by rapes and killings. Fearing for life, about 4 lakhs of them have left their vocation, homes and properties and migrated to safer parts of India. Is this torture only a trial run for larger plans in the days to come? It's scaring to imagine!
Our ever aggressive opposition parties and 'tolerant intellectuals' have never shed a tear for Kashmiri Hindus. Student groups are least bothered about their plights. Nobody has done 'award-wapsi' to highlight their cause. They always consciously call them 'Kashmiri pandits', not Kashmiri Hindus!
The present Government of India has taken up their cause and constructed separate colonies for Kashmiri Hindus resettlement in Kashmir. But majority of the migrants are scared to return. Moreover locals are questioning these separate colonies! They want to them to come back to their original homes. Needless to say it is impossible to protect them, unless they are rehabilitated in separate colonies. 'Minorities first right' concept preached by our learned former PM doesn't seem to be applicable for Kashmiri Hindus!
Government of India has further responded by abrogating the article 370, which had given a special status to J & K. Article 35A too is abolished which was preventing outsiders from owning properties in this state. The entire state is now divided into eastern Ladakh and western J & K. Both the parts are declared centrally governed for the time being. Almost all leaders of Kashmir are under house-arrest! Uneasy calm is prevailing as the entire state is now under intense military-vigil.
Abrogation of article 370 is now under the list of disputes pending with Supreme Court of India.
What happened during 1947?
India attained freedom, but Pakistan got separated! About 560+ princely states were given choice to choose their country. But J & K, with Muslim dominated Kashmir and Hindu dominated Jammu, under the rule of Maharaja Hari Singh was undecided. British wanted him to go along with Pakistan! They even suggested a plebiscite (putting the choice to people's vote) for which Nehru was also agreeable! Sardar Patel was never given a free hand in Kashmir matters.
But Hari Singh's heart was with India. Pakistan used the fluid situation to take over J & K, by waging a war with the help of Phastun tribals. Unable to resist the attack, Maharaja Hari Singh sought India's help and readily signed the accession letter merging J & K with India. When Indian army arrived it was a different story. They recovered most parts occupied by Pak and were ready to go further. 'Mysteriously' Nehru called for cease-fire (31-12-1948) and Indian army was asked to stop at what is now infamous as the 'Line of Control (LoC)', thereby conceding the present 'Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK)' to Pak.
Why article 370?
As per one report, Maharaja Hari Singh himself had signed the accession letter with vague terms. Sheikh Abdullah who succeeded as the Prime Minister of J & K bargained and Nehru readily obliged by granting article 370! As a result India's control over J & K was confined to military, foreign affairs and currency issuing powers! However article 370 was agreed as a temporary measure at that time itself. Subsequent Governments too obliged by keeping quiet and maintaining status quo.
What next?
The newly appointed Army chief Gen. Mukund Naravane (standing) has sounded rhetoric by averring that if permitted he will make efforts to take over Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK)!
Pressure is mounting on Indian Government to restore normalcy in J & K. Supreme Court is yet to commence hearing on the case challenging abrogation of article 370. Pakistan will not leave any stone unturned in raking up J & K issue in all possible fora. And its ability to carry on the fight with covert operations can never be underestimated.
Will India be able to counter Pak diplomatically and militarily? Will India be able to counter terrorists? Will India be able to convince a section of its own people who are agitated? Will our opposition parties behave responsibly? Will the Government be able to deal with mischief-mongers with an iron hand? Will the abrogation of article 370 enable India to create jobs and development in Kashmir? Much lies in winning over the support of silent and peace-loving majority of people of Jammu and Kashmir.
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