The Department of Strategic and Regional Studies (DRS), University of Jammu, in collaboration with Jammu Kashmir Study Centre (JKSC) organized a one-Day Seminar on "75 Years of Accession of Jammu Kashmir: Internal and External Dynamics" in the seminar hall of the Department of Strategic and Regional Studies (DSRS).

 

 

Prof, Naresh Padha, Dean Academic Affairs, University of Jammu was the Chief Guest on occasion and graced the speakers by presenting them mementos. The seminar started with the lightening of the lamp and tributes were paid to the Bharat Mata. Dr. Ganesh Malhotra in his presentation, titled "Instrument of Accession and Events Thereafter" brought to the notice of the audience "various legal aspects on the accession of J&K in the Indian Union" He also highlighted "the role of Maharaja Hari Singh in signing the instrument of accession.

 

 

Along with Pakistan's armed attack on Jammu and Kashmir under the cover of tribal attack as well as the United Resolution of 13th August 1948 on J&K. The area of PolK, and Gilgit-Baltistan which is still illegally occupied by Pakistan despite the UN Resolution asking Pakistan to vacate that area need to be freed so that the residents of that area suffering operation at the hands of the Pakistan army from the last 75 years shall be provided proper justice as citizens of India".

 

 

In his presentation, titled "Understanding Sectarian Conflict in Gilgit Baltistan", Dr. Mod, Monir, Alam, argued that "Pakistan policies, especially during Zia-ul-Hag's Islamisation process and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's state resident law in 1972. These led to the opening of Madrassas, Deobandi, and Wahabi influence in Gilgit-Baltistan that gave the locals a fear that Punjabi Sunni people will be settled in the area". He further added, from a strategic viewpoint, "the local Shia community subsequently targeted by the Pakistani state-directed policies to undercut the Shia influence in the region".

 

 

In his presentation, titled "Pakistan Occupied Jammu Kashmir: Displaced Persons-their legal status and human rights violations", Dr. Ajay Sharma said that during Pakistan's aggression of 1947, Mirpur, Muzaffarabad, and a few tehsils of Poonch that came under Pakistan's control is called as POJK and the people who were displaced from their territories are called as POJK displaced persons. Displacement has resulted in their social-economic and political marginalisation. The majority of POJK displaced persons are living in J&K while few families were settled outside J&K by the then government. Over the period of time, they were denied their basic rights in Jammu and Kashmir given under PRC and kept out of the preview of the financial and other benefits given to those who were living in only in J&K. After August 5, 2019, the POJK DP's living outside are also registered for obtaining domicile certificates.

 

 

It is pertinent to mention here that the JKSC is a think tank dedicated to the research on Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, and occupied territories of the state of J&K. The JKSC is also involved in the research of the human rights violations in the POJK and GB.

 

 

Earlier, in his welcome address, Prof, Virender Koundal, Director, DRS formally welcomed the Chief Guest, Prof. Naresh Padha, and other dignitaries and introduced the seminar's theme. In the end, Director DRS, Prof, Virender Koundal, presented mementoes and relevant literature to the Chief Guest. In the seminar, the former Director General DRDO, Dr. Sudharshan Sharmaji, Prof, K.L. Bhatia, Prof, Prakash Antahal, Prof, Vinay Chauhan, Prof, Sindhu Kapoor, Smt. Karuna Chettri, Arun Choudhary, Sh. Satpal, Sharma, many eminent academicians, journalists, members of civil society and students attended and participated in the seminar. Er. Shail, Sharma of JKSC presented a formal vote of thanks. Ms. Vasundra, Raje conducted the proceeding of the seminar.