SHAFAQNA PAKISTAN (Shia News Agency)
East India Company sold Kashmir to Maharaja Gulab Singh Dogra for Rupees 75 lakhs (7.5 million) of Nanak Shahi rupees (the ruling currency of Punjab). Gulab Singh acquired “all the hilly or mountainous country with its dependencies situated to the eastward of the River Indus and the westward of the River Ravi including Chamba and excluding Lahul. It is famous by the name of Treaty of Amritsar. The Treaty of Amritsar was signed on March 16, 1846, to settle a dispute over territory in Kashmir after the First Sikh war with the United Kingdom, ceding some land to Maharaja Gulab Singh Dogra and marked the beginning of Dogra rule in Kashmir. Kashmiris had to face innumerable atrocities and the ignoble treatment meted out to slaves. Renowned US attorney and freedom fighter Patrick Henry, who led the opposition to the Stamp Act of 1765 is remembered for his “Give me liberty, or give me death!” speech. Along with Samuel Adams and Thomas Paine, he is regarded as one of the most influential champions of Republicanism and an invested promoter of the American Revolution and its fight for independence.
Unfortunately, the Kashmiris did not have a leader worth his salt to get them freedom. Slavery has existed since time immemorial but is one of the most abhorrent acts. From the ancient Greek, Romans, British and Arabs, slave trade has flourished. The Americans indulged in slave trade for centuries. It is only in the twenty first century that the US has elected a black president. He of all the other world leaders should appreciate the predicament of the Kashmiris and the Palestinians. The Kashmiris should have won their freedom in August 1947 when an independent Pakistan and India came into being. The Indians unfortunately illegally occupied Kashmir and forced Maharaja Hari Singh to India. The Kashmiris continue to be enslaved and suffer harsh treatment at the hands of the Indian soldiers. When Barrack Obama was campaigning for the presidency, he had given a solemn promise to the Kashmiris to mediate on their behalf. Unfortunately, he reneged on his promise after taking oath of office. When he was visiting India for the first time as US President, 4,600 Kashmiris signed a petition addressed to President Obama to ask the Indian government to abide by the UN Resolutions, by virtue of which the residents of Kashmir were assured the right of self determination. President Obama, overtaken by self interests of the US forgot his pledge to the Kashmiris. During his second visit to India on January 26, 2015, President Obama was bending backwards to appease the Indians so he conveniently remained oblivious to the plight of the Kashmiris.
pakistan.shafaqna.com
