By Narasimhan Vijayaraghavan
Jagmohan Malhotra, popularly known by the mononym ‘Jagmohan’ was born on 25 September 1927 in Hafizabad (present-day Pakistan) to Amir Chand and Dropadi Devi.
He was a former Indian civil servant and politician close to Sanjay Gandhi and Indira Gandhi and notoriously famous for his conduct during the Internal Emergency (1975-77). He served as the Lt. Governor of Delhi and Goa and the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir. He also served as the Union Minister for Urban Development and Tourism after getting elected to Lok Sabha.
“ Frozen: A Sketch of Life in the Valley of Kashmir” is a book written by Jagmohan, who served as the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir at two different periods (1984-89 and 1990-90). The book provides a personal and insightful account of the situation in Kashmir during his tenure.
In “Frozen,” Jagmohan discusses the complex political and social issues faced by the region. He reflects on the challenges of governance, the rise of militancy, and the circumstances that led to the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Kashmir Valley in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The book delves into the historical context and provides a detailed analysis of the events that unfolded during Jagmohan’s tenure as the Governor. It offers his perspective on the measures taken by the government to tackle the rising insurgency and restore stability in the region.
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Overall, “Frozen” presents a first-hand account of the turbulent period in the history of Jammu and Kashmir and provides readers with insights into the complexities and intricacies of the region’s political and social dynamics. It is a valuable resource for those interested in understanding the Kashmir conflict from a policymaker’s viewpoint.
Chapter 6 of the book “My Frozen Turbulence in Kashmir” by Jagmohan provides a detailed history of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution. The chapter begins by tracing the origins of Article 370 to the Instrument of Accession that was signed by Maharaja Hari Singh of Jammu and Kashmir in 1947. The Instrument of Accession gave India control over the defense, foreign affairs, and communications of Jammu and Kashmir, but it allowed the state to retain its own constitution and a special status within the Indian Union.
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Article 370 was incorporated into the Indian Constitution in 1950 to give legal effect to the provisions of the Instrument of Accession. The article granted Jammu and Kashmir a number of special privileges, including the right to have its own constitution, flag, and citizenship laws. It also prohibited the central government from applying certain laws of the Indian Union to Jammu and Kashmir without the consent of the state government.
Jagmohan argues in the chapter that Article 370 was a necessary compromise to ensure the accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India. He also argues that the article has been misinterpreted and misused by Kashmiri separatists to promote their own agenda.
The chapter concludes with a discussion of the future of Article 370. Jagmohan argues that the article should be reviewed and amended to ensure that it does not undermine the unity and integrity of India. He also argues that the state of Jammu and Kashmir should be brought fully into the mainstream of Indian life.
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The key points made in the chapter can be captured in these words:
A. Article 370 was a necessary compromise to ensure the accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India.
B. The article has been misinterpreted and misused by Kashmiri separatists to promote their own agenda.
C. The article should be reviewed and amended to ensure that it does not undermine the unity and integrity of India.
D. The state of Jammu and Kashmir should be brought fully into the mainstream of Indian life.
( Writer of multiple books – is practicing advocate in the Madras High Court)