INTRODUCTION:

During the reign of predecessors of Maharaja Hari Singh (1925-1947) lot of efforts were made to initiate newspapers from state but there was no response because administration was afraid of healthy criticism. This fostered the enthusiasm of volunteers who were eager to start press in Jammu and Kashmir to shift another place where there would have a proper platform for journalism. (Alam, Khursheed, 2013, p.14) These patriots migrated to Punjab, where they attempted to publish newspapers and wanted to circulate them throughout Kashmir. They fulfilled their responsibility by raising voice against the harsh policies of government and illustrated how rights of common people were being ignored. At the same time Lahore was the hub of political, economic and socio-cultural activities, due to its geographical linkage with Kashmir, it exercised its effect on the state. (Alam, Khursheed, 2013, p. 14)

The princely State of Jammu and Kashmir was not in range as compared to the similar developments that were taking place during the same period in the British India. There were strict restrictions on the publication of press, formation of any association and people were not allowed to assemble because there were apprehensions of the conspiracy against government. (Sofi, Muhi-ud-din,1973, p. 17) In the absence of the local newspapers, Punjab press became the beacon light of political consciousness in the princely State of Jammu and Kashmir. The Prominent newspapers which were entering into the State secretly were the Muslim Outlook, the Siyasat, the Inqilab from Lahore, they pointed out the mal-administration in the Kashmir. (Hassnain, F. M. 1988, p.37)

Here we shall take pleasure to discuss some stories of the newspapers. Like on 16^th February, 1934 the Siyasat (Lahore) published an appeal from leader of the Muslim Community Mr. Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah that atrocities perpetrated upon Kashmiri brethren, urges them to remain firm and steadfast at this time of trial and not to rest without sheltering to pieces the iron claw of the oppression by laying down their lives for the honour of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). He points out the educated youth that the present struggle is being carried to get from the slavery and asks them to give up the studies and jump into the field and bring it home to the Durbar that Muslims will know no rest until they attain religious freedom. In the end assures his Kashmiri co-religionists of the cooperation and help of the Indian Muslims. (F. No. 194, 1934, p.18)

Some Muslim educated youth realized that there is no possibility to initiate a newspaper in the State, they used pseudonyms for fear of reprisal, wrote about the ground situation and secretly send their reports to Lahore for publication. Thus a real picture of Kashmir was highlighted by the Punjab press. (Ahmad, Khalid Bashir, 2017, p.324) The Inqilab took the leading role to highlight the miseries of the people. Its editor, Abdul Majid Saalik, made the contribution from the Kashmir to “take an oath on the Holy Quran that they would not mix an iota of falsehood in their reports.” (Ahmad, Khalid Bashir, 2017, p.324)

Likewise the Inqilab (Lahore) of the 16^th February takes Mr. Krishna for supporting in the Pratap, the repressive policy of the Kashmir Durbar and expressing the good will that the agitation would be subside if the Durbar like to take some progressive steps and check their activities, weather they were lawful or not. This newspaper further elaborates the story that here is 805 of the Muslim population and ruled by the Hindu ruler, so he should be well advanced, and Muslims should be given proper chance in the State services. (F. No. 194, 1934, p.27)

The Punjab press infused among the Kashmiri’s the sense of Patriotism; it indicates that there was educational backwardness among the people of State. There were dailies and weeklies which put forward the cause of Kashmir in front of world, few noteworthy among them were the Inqilab, Al-Fazal, Siyasat, Al-Aman, Sun Rise, Eastern Times, Muslim Outlook, Zamindar and The Light. (Saraf, Muhammad Yusuf, 1977, p. 453)

Due to the strategic location of the Jammu and Kashmir State, it has influence of the political trends in the Punjab. The credit goes to the newspapers of Punjab for highlighting the grievances of people of Kashmir, criticized maladministration, played crucial role in the rise of political consciousness, mobilized public opinion and in turn the voice of Kashmir finally reached the world. Due to these efforts of press, Maharaja had no other alternative but take certain measures for the socio-economic welfare of people. Punjab press also played a crucial role to encourage the freedom fighters and uplift their morality which finally reached its pinnacle of a well organized struggle for freedom in Kashmir. (Mohd Yousuf Ganie, 2000, p. 6)

The day of 13^th July1931, is deemed of historical importance in the national movement of Kashmir. It is celebrated as Martyrs day since 1931. On this day, twenty two civilian were killed in front Central Jail, Srinagar, where they had assembled to show their solidarity with Abdul Qadir. (Saima, Bhat,2011, p.1), He had raised voice against Dogra Rule at Khankah-i-Moula, where a meeting was held by the Youngman’s Muslim Association. (Saima, Bhat,2011, p.1), In his speech, he inculcated message among Kashmiri’s that how Kashmiri’s were suffering under Dogra regime. After this event the Muslim press from Lahore began an enthusiastic campaign against Dogra Rule. “Newspapers containing articles written in the words of fire were published and by thousands into the State.” (Bazaz, Prem Nath, 1954, p.151) The news of 1931, incident came into notice of the people of the world.

It is here necessary to make it clear that it was not only Muslim press which had thrown light on the grievances of people but Non-Muslim press equally cooperated them. The Hindu community newspapers like Milap, Tribune, Pratap, Akbar-i-Aam etc. This is substantiated by the fact that, in 1925 a newspaper “Akhbar-i-Aam” from Lahore dispatched article “unemployment in Kashmir”. The author of this article was Gwash Lal Koul who was influenced by the student community in China, who had raised revolt against oppression in China. Through this article, Gwash lal Koul has made an alarm to the autocratic government that if their exploitative policies did not changed there would be continues chaos, confusion and uncertainty in the society. So the author made a humble appeal to the educated masses to solve the problems of unemployment, peacefully, honorably and legitimately by organizing themselves into an association. (Ravinderjit Kaur, 1996, p. 35)

Above mentioned outline on the contribution of Punjab press, clearly justifies that there were restrictions on the publication of newspapers in Jammu and Kashmir. These were the Kashmiri immigrants who had not forgotten their emotional attachment to their homeland. They had started publication of Urdu Press which brought the political consciousness among Kashmiri’s.

There is no doubt that there was bloom of press during the tenure of Maharaja Hari Singh (1925-1947), but just have an outline on the press during his predecessors. At the time of Maharaja Ranbir Singh (1857-1885), there was flip of literary activities and no proper concern was given to press. However, a government sponsored journal a weekly to Dogri, “Bidya Bilas,” from Jammu in 1867 was given permission for publication its editor was Pandith Gopi Nath Garto. (Alam, Khursheed 2013, p.32) Apart from this journal some magazines in Urdu, Hindi and Dogri were available but these could not continue during the reign of Ranbir Singh. (Alam, Khursheed 2013, p.32)

It seems clear that in the early three decades of the 20^th century there existed only one newspaper i.e. the Ranbir in the State of Jammu and Kashmir, which was published from Jammu region. However, the educated section of the Muslim Community has established the Reading Room Party at Srinagar in 1929; the members of this party were in contact with the newspapers published from the outside Kashmir. These members regularly send information to these papers about political and economic scenario of the State. (Saraf, Muhammad Yusuf, 1977, p. 356)

The press was discouraged at every level by the state administration. After persistent refusal, it was the time period of Maharaja Pratap Singh (1885-1925), a Dogra young man, Lala Mulk Raj Saraf was given a permission to start a weekly (the Ranbir) from Jammu in June 1924, published in Urdu. (Lala, Mulk Raj Saraf, 1990, p.33) The Ranbir was most moderate in its views. But its moderation did not help it when in May 1930 it published in its special edition regarding Gandhian arrest. All this indeed was seen as seditious and disloyal. The publication of the Ranbir was ordered to be stopped immediately. However, it restarted in 1931. (Bazaz, Prem Nath, 1941, p.353)

The editor of this newspaper was asked to write only in matters of socio-cultural, and economy, and political matters were excluded, in other words there was zero tolerance towards the political issues, which can be substantiate by the fact that this newspaper was banned when it tried to portray a news related to the hero of Indian nationalism Mr. M. K. Gandhi. (Ahmad, Khalid Bashir, 2017, p. 319)

However, there existed an enlightened person like Sardar Budh Singh, at time of the Maharaja Hari Singh, who whole heartedly praised the editor of newspaper Ranbir, Lala Mulk Raj Saraf and recommended the people about his dedication and honesty towards the Journalism in Kashmir. He too wrote variant editorials and propagates the message of secularism, communal harmony among the different religious communities in the State, portray hallmark of healthy journalism. (Singh, Rajinder, 1978, p.211-123)

It can be observed that though there were limited space to the newspaper Ranbir to express their but that newspaper was not bother about the coerce and teething troubles of the authorities it continued its high sprit of morality, goodness and progressive work.

According to various references, the advanced period journalism in Jammu and Kashmir was 1930’s when a popular “Glancy Commission” (1931-32) under Mr. B. J. Glancy was approved by Maharaja Hari Singh. This commission was to redress the grievances of Muslims, therefore, it was only after the recommendations of this commission that political, socio-cultural, economic rights of the Muslims were granted. A new era in the history of Kashmir began especially after the formation of All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference in October, 1932 under president ship of Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah and Chaudary Ghulam Abbas as its secretary. There was sudden growth in the publication of newspapers after the formation of this party. The educated community of Srinagar was highly influenced by the newspapers started after the formation of this first political association. (Alam, Khursheed 2013, p. 40)

After realizing the revolutionary spirit among young educated youth, Hari Singh felt that he would no more impose ban on newspapers, therefore, he brought forth Press and Publication Act in April 1932, in order to facilitate the publication of newspapers in his own territory. It became easy to publish more newspapers from both Srinagar and Jammu after this act and provisions for the security of the printing press were also modified. (Sofi, Muhi-ud-din, 1973, p. 63)

There seems flow of socio-religious movements after the Maharajas progressive reform from 1930s onwards. The Wahabis in the State founded the Anjuman-i-Ahl-i-Hadis, under the dynamic personalities of Maulvi Ghulam Mubarak and Maulvi Nur-uddin. The Anjumans official organ was the Muslim. This newspaper was initiated with the purpose to elimination of the social evils existing the Muslim Community. (Ganai, Mohammad Yusuf, 2003, p.88-89) Similarly, the Ahmediyas started their own newspapers like the Al-Fazal and Sunrise. They were aimed at the political propaganda through their in Kashmir. They were pro-British and supported the intervention of the British government in Kashmir politics. (Ganai, Mohammad Yusuf,2003, p.102)

Likewise, after the press act of 1932, the first newspaper that appeared from Jammu was Paswaan, which was a well-wisher to the Muslim Conference initiated by Munshi Miraj ud din Ahmad on October 1, 1932. (Ganai, Mohammad Yusuf, 2003, p.64) Meanwhile, the first newspaper from Srinagar was an Urdu daily named Vitasta, which was brought by Prem Nath Bazaz on October 31, 1932. (Khan, Mohammad Ishaq ,1978, p.177) Its primary objective was to highlight the ideas of secular politics and importance of responsible government in state. In the initial stage of freedom movement, the paper performed constructive role to imbibe nationalism among the cream generation of Kashmir. (Bazaz, Prem Nath, 1954, p.140)

At the same year Gulam Mohuiduddin started a newspaper by the name of “Rehbar”. A daily newspaper Martand was brought in 1932 by Kashmiri Pandit organization the Sanatan Dharam Yuvak Sabha, which stood for minority population in Kashmir. The Martand was its official organ and its editor was Gwash Lal Koul. This newspaper performed function almost in every aspect of life especially addressed social, economic and political problems of the Pandit Community in Jammu and Kashmir. (The Martand, Feb.21, 1933)

In August 1935, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and Prem Nath Bazaz started the Urdu weekly Hamdard from Srinagar. Secular and nationalist outlook, Hamdard highlighted the atrocities on Kashmiris (especially Muslims by the Dogra rulers and also supported the freedom movement in India, spearheaded by Gandhi and Nehru. (Media in Kashmir, 2005, p. 9)

In order to make this paper comprehensive and interesting, the poetry of different poets was portrayed which depicted the present image of society. For instance the poetry reveals the policy of the government, besides it depicted present socio-economic and political conditions of society. (Abdul Qadir Sarwari 1982, p. 407)

There was a one more unique feature of the newspaper ‘Hamdard’ that was correspondences through letters and articles between the Bazaz, Mahatama Gandhi and Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru. These are distinguishing personalities, identified as socialists, secularists and great politician of the time. Bazaz’s main motive to talk these dynamic personalities was to initiate a new era in Kashmir politics. The new phase where there would be a democratic form of government and end of autocracy. Bazaz was well known about the fact that they have experience in politics, so he was bestowed fruitful guidelines from them. Their enriched words were displayed in ‘Hamdard’ as a guideline to the masses. On different occasions voluminous articles were portrayed by the newspaper ‘Hamdard’, about their extraordinary contribution in the Indian National Movement. (Hamdard, 9^th September, 1936)

These letters as ‘bunch of followers’ played an important role, to sunshine the masses of Kashmir. There was a lesson of true nationalism, socialism, secularism etc. and a war against Mephistophelean ideology. The newspaper ‘Hamdard’ displayed these crucial letters to reveal a message of one nation, unity in diversity, no sectarianism, no regionalism etc. (Hamdard, 9^th September, 1936) Above mentioned description clearly reveals that newspaper ‘Hamdard’ exhibits message of true nationalism, elimination of communalism, how peace loving State could be established.

The present study try to find out every voluminous article of the ‘Hamdard’, especially which were related to the autocracy to democratic form of government and were very informative to imbibe the young generation about modern democracy. An important article was published on the modern concept ‘Socialism’ on first August, 1936. This newspaper makes the clear that socialism is an economic ideology which has challenged the capitalist ideology. The concept of socialism intends that there should be the equal distribution of goods in the society, so that a classless State could be established. By supporting this ideology, the ‘Hamdard’ put this message that people should not hate this economic concept instead they should support it. As this every ideology has influence the large part of land in the world e.g. USSR, France, China. However, the newspaper ‘Hamdard’ agreed that in order to establish this socialist system, political freedom is first rather than economic freedom. (Hamdard, 9^th September, 1936) The present study has explored that the ‘Daily Hamdard’ was up to date, whether it was socio-cultural, economic or political question nothing was left to display headline or as a article of the newspaper.

In 1938, well-known Kashmiri journalist Ghulam Rasool Aarif along with a businessman Ahmad Jan launched an Urdu weekly called Khidmat. (Media in Kashmir, 2005, p.9) After Muslim Conference was converted into National conference by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, Khidmat became the official organ of the party. It played a very significant role in the Kashmiri journalism. (Media in Kashmir, 2005, p. 9)

The first ever English weekly Kahmir Times was incepted from Srinagar in November, 1934, by Baldev Prasad Sharma and Pandit Gwasha Lal Koul, highly respected Kashmiri Pandits, jointly. (Media in Kashmir, 2005, p.9) Similarly, another important newspaper was Weekly Khalid which was started in 1938 under Sadru Din Mujahid. This paper inculcated the message and programmes of both Muslim Conference and National Conference throughout Kashmir. Its editor was arrested after its popularity. This paper criticized the irresponsible policies of Maharaja Hari Singh. At the time of the Quit Kashmir Movement (1946) when a rebel case was registered against Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah this paper initiated a particular series of articles in his favour. (Alam, Khursheed, 2013, p.60)

There were many other newspapers published in Urdu, Hindi and English mostly devoted to social reforms. The life span of most of the newspapers did not remain more than six months. The newspapers which were initiated from 1932 onwards were as follows: Kashmir Region:

Vitasa, Hamdard, Martan, Kaisari, Desh, Khalid, Khidmat, Haqikat, Sadiq, Noor, Jahaangir, Islam, Rahnuma, Qumidard, Bekar, Huriyath, Dehkan, Tauheed, Hidayath, Sudhar, Islah, Wakil,Roshni,Zulfikar, Khalisa Gazette, Amrath, Santoor, Shamshir, Wichar,Tabeeb, Meshiah, Nishat, Jayoti, Kungposh,Piagam, Pathwar Gazette, Sudhrack, Al- Guffran, Kashmir, Al-Bark, Kashmir karnaalkar,Jauhar.

Jammu Region:

Ranbir was already started, but papers from 1932 onwards were: Amar, Savera, Sach, Kashmir Mail, Watan, Pasban, Haqikat, Saroshan, Industrial, Zindagi, Chand, Firdous, Chinap, Khursheed, Jamhoor, Al-Mujahid, Prabath. (Sofi Muhi-uddin, 1973, p.370)

The exact number of newspapers published at anytime in the State is rather difficult to estimate. Although hundreds of newspapers were started since May 1932, but they had very brief span of life and only few survived. As per the statistics, there were 40 journals existing in different parts of State. (Bazaz, Prem Nath, 1941 p. 357) However, according to other references before 1947, there were 84 newspapers and nearly 64 weeklies, fortnightlies and monthlies were published but among them only few got fame. (Alam, Khursheed, 2013, p.60)

Prominent editors during the first half of twentieth century, who had achieved popularity in public were: Maulana Muhammad Syed Masoodi, Pandith Prem Nath Bazaz, Sheri Kaship Bandu, Alama Gulam Muhammad Kashifi, Sheri Janki Zutsh etc. these were from Kashmir region and in Jammu region were Lala Mulk Raj Saraf, Dewan Narsingh Das Nargis, Lala Shiv Ram Gupta, Raja Muhammad Akbar Khan, Allah Rakha Sagar, Mehraj uddin Mehraj, Mahindar Singh, Master Roshan Lal etc. (Sofi Muhi-uddin, 1973, p.25-27)

The editors of both these regions of Jammu and Kashmir State had showed mutual understanding and enthusiasm. It was all about their creative mind and new experiments according to situation in press, due to which they had created such an atmosphere in which press had the grace to pinnacle and would have grandeur of success. They played crucial role in inculcating message of national sentiments among masses. As soon as freedom struggle of Kashmir reached its apex and it was close to dethrone the monarchial government in 1947, most newspaper editors left their ground of work. This all happened because of warlike atmosphere at the time of 1947. It was very unfortunate to the state of Jammu and Kashmir that these influential editors who had art of writing, they knew better how to mould things in proper way and were expert in this field they had showed sign of alienation when there was vital need of their cooperation to highlight the current political issues and to guide people in a proper manner. There appears that an important phase of Jammu and Kashmir press came to end. (Sofi Muhi-uddin, 1973, p. 25-27

The above mentioned account makes clear that the press during early half of twentieth century had played a significant role in the rise of political consciousness in Kashmir by highlighting the miseries of common people and become the mouth piece of their voice. They created a new spirit of thinking in the minds of the young generation. They started fighting for the establishment of the responsible government in Kashmir and made alarm to the monarchial form of governance. Although, there was limited space to express grievance of people through the means of press under Dogra regime but credit goes to dedicated men like newspaper editors prominently Muhammad Din Fauq, Jan Mohammad Ganie, Lala Mulk Raj Saraf, Prem Nath Bazaz, Maulana Syed Mahsoodi etc. who were real patriots who had played a crucial role to create a platform for press. Thus press has played a significant role in the freedom movement of Kashmir.

Following are cuttings of two important newspapers i.e. weekly Ranbir and daily Hamdard of pre-1947

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Received on 18.05.2019 Modified on 05.06.2019

Res. J. Humanities and Social Sciences. 2019; 10(4): 1045-1050.

DOI: 10.5958/2321-5828.2019.00170.0