QUIT KASHMIR

08 May, 2008 05:35:00

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Shiekh Mohammad Abdullah on his return from Delhi after attending the meeting of the State People’s Conference, delivered a speech at Maisuma,Srinagar on May 16, 1946 A.D. To quote,”………..we do not want to become victims of the pleasure of Rajas, Maharajas and Nawabs. We wish to rid ourselves from slavery……….. to end our poverty , you must fight slavery and enter the field of Jehad as soldiers. The fight slogan of our struggle is not for our state but for the whole of India……..when the Indian Freedom movement demands the complete withdrawal of British power,logically enough the stooges of British Imperialism also should go and restore sovereignty to its real owners…….. the people. When we raise the slogan of Quit Kashmir we naturally visualize that the princes and Nawabs should quit all the States”.

There was mixed reaction to the slogan of Quit Kashmir in the different parts of the State. In the valley of Kashmir people were all out for complete transfer of authority to the people’s representatives while as in many parts of Jammu region the people wanted continuance of Dogra rule in the State.

LEADERS ARRESTED:

Maharaja Hari Singh came down heavily and unleashed a region of terror. Most of the National Conference leaders including Sher-i-Kashmir were arrested and a few leaders like Bakshi Gulam Mohammad, Gulam Mohammad Sadiq, Gulam Mohidin Karra etc. escaped arrest and set-up an underground cell called War Council. Protest demonstration were organized by War Council in length and breadth of the valley and incidents of violence were reported from different towns and cities. Mujahid Manzil, the headquarter of National Conference was occupied by the State troops.