Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK): History and Significance | Protests in Azad Kashmir | Perspective

Summary

The video script discusses the historical and geopolitical aspects of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), emphasizing its integral status as part of Indian territory. It recounts the 1947 invasion by Pakistan, the subsequent Indian response, and the United Nations' involvement. The script highlights PoK's strategic, geopolitical, and sociocultural importance to India, including its role in cross-border terrorism and water resources. It also touches on recent protests in PoK due to economic hardships and the Indian government's unwavering stance on reclaiming the region.

Takeaways

• 🏰 Jammu and Kashmir is considered the 'crown of India' with an area of 2.2 lakh square kilometers, of which 30% has been under illegal occupation by Pakistan since 1947.
• 🇵🇰 Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) accounts for 78,000 square kilometers, and an additional 10% of the area is under Chinese occupation, known as Aksai Chin, amounting to 37,500 square kilometers.
• 📢 The video emphasizes that POK is and will remain an integral part of Indian territory, a stance supported by all Indian governments and political parties since independence.
• 🕊 At the time of India's partition in 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh of Jammu and Kashmir chose to remain independent, not joining either India or Pakistan.
• 🗡 Pakistan's attempt to forcibly integrate Jammu and Kashmir by supporting tribal invasions and disguising army personnel as civilians led to widespread disruption and violence.
• 🔄 In response to the invasion, Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession, making Jammu and Kashmir a part of India on October 26, 1947, leading to the deployment of Indian troops and the start of the 1947 India-Pakistan war.
• 🏛 The United Nations passed a resolution in 1948 calling for the withdrawal of Pakistani forces and a plebiscite, which never occurred due to non-compliance by Pakistan, resulting in the establishment of a ceasefire line in 1949.
• 📜 The Shimla Agreement in 1972 and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act have further solidified India's position that POK is an integral part of the country.
• 🌐 The strategic importance of POK for India includes its geographical position as a land bridge to Central Asia, access to water resources, and its role in managing cross-border terrorism.
• 📊 Economic reasons are highlighted as a potential driver for the demand from POK to merge with India, given the struggling Pakistani economy and the region's socio-cultural ties with India.
• 🏆 India maintains a firm stance on the non-use of force and expects the demand for integration to come from POK itself, supported by its residents.

Q & A

What is the area of Jammu and Kashmir, and what percentage of it is claimed to be illegally occupied by Pakistan?

Jammu and Kashmir is spread over an area of 2.2 lakh square kilometers, with 30% of it, which is approximately 78,000 square kilometers, claimed to be illegally occupied by Pakistan since 1947.

What is the term used for the area of Jammu and Kashmir occupied by Pakistan?

The area occupied by Pakistan is referred to as Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK).

How much area of Jammu and Kashmir is claimed to be occupied by China?

An additional 10% of the area, which is approximately 37,500 square kilometers, is claimed to be occupied by China, known as Aksai Chin.

What was the stance of the Maharaja Hari Singh of Jammu and Kashmir at the time of India's partition in 1947?

At the time of partition in 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh decided to keep Jammu and Kashmir independent and not join either India or Pakistan.

What event led to the involvement of the Indian army in Jammu and Kashmir in 1947?

The involvement of the Indian army was prompted by the invasion of tribal raiders from Pakistan, supported by the Pakistani army, which led to widespread disruption in the state and threatened the capital, Srinagar.

What was the Instrument of Accession signed by Maharaja Hari Singh on October 26, 1947?

The Instrument of Accession was an agreement signed by Maharaja Hari Singh, acceding Jammu and Kashmir to India, thereby giving control over defense, external affairs, and communication to the Government of India.

What was the United Nations' resolution on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir in 1948?

In April 1948, the United Nations passed Resolution 47, which directed the complete withdrawal of Pakistani forces, a minimization of Indian army presence, and the conduct of a plebiscite after the withdrawal to determine the will of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

What is the significance of the Line of Control (LoC) in the context of Jammu and Kashmir?

The Line of Control (LoC) is the de facto border that was established in 1949 under the Karachi Agreement, marking the positions held by India and Pakistan in the region after the ceasefire.

What was the Trans-Karakoram Tract, and why is it significant in the context of Jammu and Kashmir?

The Trans-Karakoram Tract, also known as the Shaksgam Valley, is a region of approximately 5,000 square kilometers that Pakistan ceded to China in 1963. It is significant as it is under Chinese control and is part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which India opposes due to concerns over its territorial integrity and sovereignty.

What are the three main reasons for the importance of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to India as mentioned in the script?

The three main reasons for the importance of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to India are strategic importance due to its geographical position and resources, geopolitical importance for resolving the long-standing issue with Pakistan, and sociocultural importance due to deep historical and cultural ties with the region.

What recent event in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir led to protests and highlighted the region's economic challenges?

Widespread protests occurred in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in May 2024 due to rising prices of food, fuel, electricity, and other essentials, highlighting the region's economic crisis and the suffering of its residents.

What has been India's stance on the future of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir?

India's stance is that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir was, is, and will remain an integral and significant part of Indian Territory. India has reiterated that it will not use force and expects demands for joining India to come directly from the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, especially due to economic reasons.