What bunch of hypocrite patriots we are…
Every time we see maps like this, our blood boils.
Every time CNN lops off India’s head in its maps – we call it pro-Pakistani.
Every edition of Time Magazine and every edition of the Britannica Encyclopaedia, coming into India- still have these ‘wrong’ map stamped out.
Technically, you would assume that it would be unpatriotic, blasphemous and downright illegal to use such an ‘incorrect’ map.
Not totally.
Ever wondered what does the law of the land say about the Status of Jammu and Kashmir? The troubled state may be the centre of attention of every governmental agency, but legally speaking it’s not part of India(!!)
Surprised?
Look up the definition of India, as given by in various central acts (part-B states (laws) act 1951). The Central acts define India as "the territory of India excluding the state of Jammu and Kashmir." And we were wondering what Pakistan was making such a hue and cry about!!! Most of the central acts like Indian Penal Code, the Indian Evidence Act etc. describe India as territory of India excluding J&K and most of the acts have been made inapplicable to the border state….its not the act - but the wording that is worrisome.
Ofcourse I am not stating anything new – back in 2007 two petitioners form J&K, B S Billowria and Manzoor Ali Khan filed a petition in the Supreme Court, contending that the separatists, militants, secessionists and supporters of Pakistan in J&K were misusing the definition to impress upon the people -- that Jammu and Kashmir was not an integral part of India.
Interestingly the Supreme Court dismissed a petition that was questioning the basic validity of the definition of ‘India’….True that Jammu and Kashmir requires special provisions, true that our legal definition does not give Pakistan the right to show Kashmir as part of its territory….but the some of the fault lies on this side of the LoC too!
The world perceives parts of Jammu and Kahsmir as a hot-spot/disputed territory. We could make a start towards clearing that perception by NOT wording our laws so blatantly – so blatant that it gives ammunition to anti national forces and sends confusing signals to the international community. No wonder they continue to print wrong maps of India – because we continue to be confused over our position on J&K.
