The Inhuman Neglect

 

Alok Bansal, Gilgit-Baltistan and its saga of Unending Human Rights Violations {New Delhi: Pentagon Press LLP for Asian Eurasian Human Rights Forum (AEHRF), 2018} pp. 291, Price: ₹ 795.

 

‘Ignorance of facts is a curse that Nation and its people will pay for heavily in terms of security, strategy and overall handling of situations’ says the author and the book aims to clear the all-pervasive ignorance about Gilgit-Baltistan, the most significant part of Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). The Book attempts to lift the veil of ignorance of the common man and succeeds in doing so.

 

The author establishes ancient cultural and historical linkages of the region with rest of the country, especially other parts of Jammu and Kashmir quite conclusively, backed with archeological and documentary proofs. The reader is transported to the era of ancient trade routes when the region was the centre of a thriving Bharat. Archeological monuments establish firmly the Hindu and Buddhist past of this part of India occupied by Pakistan. One question that comes readily to mind is—Why were we never taught this in our schools and colleges?

 

The Chapters on Geography and the Ethnic Inhabitants are fascinating full of in-depth research that shows in great detail the unique geographical features and the fascinating tribes of this region. Ethnic and linguistic diversities of the inhabitants open our eyes to all that India has lost by the occupation of Gilgit-Baltistan by Pakistan. Cultural and genetic links of various tribes to Ladakh and other regions of Jammu and Kashmir have painstakingly been established and made for interesting reading.

 

Events leading up to independence, subsequent invasion by Pakistan army under the guise of tribal raid, accession of J&K to India and the occupation of Gilgit-Baltistan by Pakistan, have been explained very well, backed up by deep research and legal documents. The chapter on Jammu & Kashmir’s accession to India is very succinctly written and should be in school text books and college reference books. Numerous fake narratives that are in vogue regarding the accession and the status of Gilgit-Baltistan are successfully demolished in the book. The truth that Gilgit-Baltistan was an integral part of Jammu and Kashmir and thus of India has been firmly established. All the lies of Pakistan claiming that Gilgit was never under Maharaja Hari Singh have also been countered effectively.

Gilgit Baltistan has been under Pakistani Control for over seven decades. The State of its residents, who are constitutionally Indian citizens is extremely distressing. The book explains and contextualises the extreme Human Rights violations perpetuated by the Pakistani State. Alok Bansal firmly establishes the legal status of Gilgit-Baltistan as part of India, not Pakistan and documents the nefarious designs of Pakistan in trying to merge the occupied areas. The impact of Karakoram Highway on the deteriorating condition of the ethnic inhabitants has been explained well, as also the impact of the upcoming China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

 

The ‘hapless’ citizens of Gilgit-Baltistan have been deprived of basic rights and have no say in their own governance. The removal of State Subject Rule, which had been promulgated by Maharaja Hari Singh to maintain the unique character of the State, has led to huge migration of outsiders to the region threatening the unique demographic composition of this remote region. Archaic, British era Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR), that prescribed collective punishments and mandated every resident to report to the local police station monthly and restricted free movement was retained in Gilgit-Baltistan.

 

Sectarian violence is at its peak, the book delves deep into the reasons for the present state of sectarian violence. The attempts by President Zia ul Haq to introduce Sunni Deobandi Islam in a region inhabited predominantly by Shia Muslims, have been enumerated and its impact on the social, cultural and political paradigm is assessed and analysed.

 

The book is well researched and well referenced. A number of colour photographs add to the value of the book and show the enormous scenic beauty and pre-Islamic legacy of this exotic region. Maps supplement the information content of the book. It is a treasure trove for researchers and human rights students with large number of pages dedicated to references and Appendices including the gem like the petition of Gilgit Scouts to the erstwhile Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir. However, to a casual reader some of these huge appendices may seem to be a drag.

To conclude, human rights violations are continuing unchecked in a part of India occupied by Pakistan. There has been a conspiracy of silence by the Indian establishment and media which has put a veil around this whole region. This region has been a blind spot in our national discourse for decades until PM Modi mentioned the region in his August 15, 2015 speech. The book answers all the questions raised in the mind of Indians about the region after that historical speech. The book is a must have for libraries and students, as a reference material for countering international lies on Gilgit Baltistan.