TODAY (4TH OCT) IN KASHMIR HOSTORY 1947: Gilkar founds AJK Ghulam Nabi Gilkar, one of the pioneers of the freedom struggle, was known for his boldness and sincerity. It was Gilkar who persuaded Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah to join the freedom struggle in 1931. Dismayed by the conversion of the Muslim Conference into National Conference in 1939, Gilkar strived hard for the revival of the Muslim Conference in the 1940s. And in the eventful year of 1947, Gilkar did what others were scared to do: On October 4, he founded the Azad Kashmir government. However, it had to be ‘re- founded’ on October 24 by Sardar Ibrahiem Khan because Gilkar came to Srinagar “to tell Kashmiris about the importance of joining the newly formed state of Pakistan”. Contrary to common belief, Gilkar did not come to Srinagar at the instance of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah to woo Sher-e-Kashmir. And until his arrest in November, Gilkar worked like an ordinary worker. After the ouster of the Nawab of Junagarh by the government of India, the Pakistan government approached Mirza Bashir-ud-Din of Qadiyan and authorized him to take appropriate measures with regard to Kashmir. Mirza called Gilkar to Lahore. Several rallies were held at Rattan Bagh. Besides Gilkar, these rallies were attended by Mufti Zia-ud-Din Poonchi, Chowdhury Rahim Dad Advocate, Master Mir Alam Kotli, Ammanullah Khan of Khor Pattan, Professor Muhammad Ishaq Qureshi, and Syed Muhammad Abdullah Qadri. The idea of forming the Azad Kashmir government was put forth in these rallies. Mufti Zia-ud-Din was asked to announce the government but he refused. Syed Muhammad Abdullah Qadri also refused. Finally Gilkar came forward and took the bold step. Gilkar thus became the first president of Azad Kashmir. However, he chose to be known as Anwar in his new capacity. In his first presidential address, Gilkar urged the Kashmiris to defy the Maharaja. The address reads: “With the end of British rule, Maharaja Hari Singh’s claim to rule the state by virtue of the Sale Deed of Amritsar has also come to an end. Kashmir was sold to Hari Singh’s grandfather, Gulab Singh for 7.5 million Nanak Shahi Sikay. Now the people have formed an adhoc government with its headquarters at Tradkhel. From October 4, if Hari Singh or any other person claims to govern the state, he shall be punished in accordance with the laws framed by the adhoc government. The people should follow the rules framed by the adhoc government from now onwards.” The presidential address was carried by all the newspapers of Pakistan on October 5, 1947.
Posted on: Fri, 04 Oct 2013 01:05:18 +0000
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