Map of Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Shabir Choudhry

Map of Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Shabir Choudhry

1.    This debate on the map ensued when Kashmir National Party in a live TV debate, Speakers Corner, courageously rejected so called Azad Kashmir flag as a national flag representing the entire Jammu and Kashmir; and adopted the flag of Jammu and Kashmir State which was used in October 1947.

2.    Question here is what was the flag of Jammu and Kashmir in October 1947? The flag with Hal with red triangle and three white stripes was adopted after 1953 as a Jammu Kashmir map. Three stripes represent three divisions of Jammu and Kashmir State, namely Jammu and Kashmir, so called Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan.

3.    In my opinion the flag with Hal on Jammu and Kashmir map belongs to National Conference; but the flag with Hal on a red triangle was the flag of Jammu Kashmir State between 1936 and 1953. It was approved by the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly.

4.    People here forget that when this flag was adopted in 1936, there was no such thing as a National Conference. National Conference, however, adopted a similar flag with Hal, but it is on a map of Jammu and Kashmir State.

5.    To some it may be a non issue, but it is very important because that was the map of united and independent Jammu and Kashmir before it was attacked by Pakistan; and before it provisionally acceded to India on 26 October 1947.

6.    No matter what some people say, flag of so called Azad Kashmir DOES NOT represent the entire Jammu and Kashmir. It is a symbol of those powers which violated the Standstill Agreement, which planned the tribal attack that resulted in death of tens of thousands of innocent Kashmiris, rapes and abduction of hundreds of Kashmiris women.

7.    As a result of this attack the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir had to seek help from India, and subsequent provisional accession and forced division of the State of Jammu and Kashmir. It was after this attack puppets were installed by Pakistan as head of Azad Kashmir.

8.    If we accept this flag adopted by this puppet government which conspired with Pakistan and invited them to attack Jammu and Kashmir, then we are intrinsically or tacitly thump stamping all crimes of these people since 22 October.

9.    I request all Kashmiri nationalists to abandon support for Azad Kashmiri flag, which is not only unrepresentative; but also communal in nature.