On February 22, 1994, the Indian Parliament unanimously passed a historic resolution, reaffirming that Jammu & Kashmir is an integral part of India. This resolution not only reinforced India’s longstanding policy but also reiterated the country’s determination to reclaim territories illegally occupied by Pakistan and China. By passing this resolution, India sent a strong message to its neighbours that it would never compromise on its territorial integrity. The Government of India has consistently maintained this stance, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration taking a firm approach on the matter. In 2019, the Modi government abrogated Article 370, which was once considered impossible to remove. Following this, speculations arose that India might also work towards reclaiming Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). However, doing so is not an easy task, as it would directly lead to military conflict with Pakistan. For this, groundwork must be laid both diplomatically and at the grassroots level.
The Role of RSS in Raising Awareness About PoK
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has taken up the responsibility of educating the public on Jammu & Kashmir’s historical and legal status. Through various seminars, discussions, and conferences, RSS and its affiliated organizations have been actively spreading awareness about PoK and India’s claim over it. Groups such as the Jammu & Kashmir People’s Forum and the Mirpur (POJK) Balidan Bhawan Committee are organizing events like ‘Sankalp Diwas’ on February 28 to commemorate the 1994 resolution and strategize on reclaiming PoK.
What does the Parliamentary Resolution 1994 States
The resolution passed by Parliament 31 years ago specifically accused Pakistan of supporting terrorism and stated:
- Pakistan has been training and funding terrorists in PoK-based camps and infiltrating foreign mercenaries into Jammu & Kashmir to create chaos and instability.
- Pakistan-trained terrorists are involved in murders, loot, and abductions, creating an atmosphere of terror.
- The Parliament strongly condemned Pakistan’s interference in India’s internal affairs and called for immediate withdrawal of its support to terrorism.
- The resolution rejected Pakistan’s propaganda and false claims on Jammu & Kashmir and condemned its human rights violations in PoK.
The resolution reaffirmed India’s stance that:
- Jammu & Kashmir is an integral part of India and always will be.
- Any attempt to separate J&K from India will be resisted with all necessary measures.
- India is fully capable of safeguarding its territorial integrity.
- Pakistan must vacate all areas of Jammu & Kashmir that it has occupied illegally.
- India will respond firmly to any interference in its internal affairs.
PoK in RSS’s Agenda for Decades
The RSS has long been vocal about reclaiming PoK, and its Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS) and Akhil Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal (ABKM) have repeatedly raised this issue. In 1960, RSS pointed out that by allowing Pakistan to build the Mangla Dam in PoK, the Indian government had indirectly accepted Pakistan’s illegal occupation. In 1963, RSS called for prioritizing the reclamation of PoK in India-Pakistan talks.
Similar resolutions were passed by RSS in 1990, 1994, 1995, and 1997, demanding that India take back PoK from Pakistan. In recent years, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat and other senior leaders have reiterated this demand. In 2012, Bhagwat stated that PoK rightfully belongs to India and should have been reclaimed long ago. In 2016, he emphasized that India must reclaim territories occupied by both Pakistan and China. In 2022, RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale highlighted that PoK residents want to be free from Pakistan’s rule and look towards India for liberation.
J&K and Ladakh: Who Controls What?
After the 2019 abrogation of Article 370, Jammu & Kashmir was divided into two union territories—Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. The total area of these territories is approximately 2,22,236 square kilometers. However, large portions of this land are under foreign occupation:
- Pakistan occupies 78,114 sq. km, referred to as PoK (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir).
- China occupies 37,555 sq. km of Ladakh, captured during the 1962 Indo-China war.
- Pakistan illegally ceded 5,180 sq. km of territory to China in 1963.
The Historical Invasion of J&K
Following India’s Independence in 1947, Pakistan invaded Jammu & Kashmir, capturing large portions of the region before a ceasefire was declared. Similarly, China invaded Ladakh in 1962, seizing vast areas of Indian land. In 1963, Pakistan illegally handed over part of PoK to China, strengthening their strategic partnership against India.
India’s Diplomatic Strategy on J&K
India has always maintained a strong diplomatic stance on Jammu & Kashmir, despite Pakistan’s continuous attempts to internationalize the issue. Pakistan has sought support from Islamic nations and international organizations to portray J&K as a disputed territory. However, India has consistently asserted that J&K is an internal matter and that PoK is illegally occupied by Pakistan.
Since the 1994 resolution, India’s diplomatic efforts have weakened Pakistan’s global stance. At forums like the United Nations, Indian representatives—including PM Modi and Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar—have repeatedly exposed Pakistan’s false propaganda. In recent years, human rights violations in PoK have also been highlighted, further isolating Pakistan on the world stage.
Changing Ground Realities After Article 370 Abrogation
The revocation of Article 370 in 2019 has led to significant changes in J&K’s political and security landscape:
- Terrorist activities have declined, with security forces neutralizing Pakistani-sponsored militants.
- Economic investments have increased, boosting development in the region.
- Tourism has surged, as J&K experiences greater stability and improved infrastructure.
Despite these positive developments, Pakistan continues its proxy war by supporting terrorism in Kashmir. However, India’s security forces have successfully countered these threats, reinforcing India’s control over the region.
The Roadmap for Reclaiming PoK
The RSS has made it clear that reclaiming PoK is not just a goal but a strategic priority. Several discussions, think-tank reports, and diplomatic strategies have been formulated in recent years to increase awareness and mobilize public support. RSS-affiliated organizations are also working on international platforms to highlight the human rights abuses in PoK under Pakistan’s illegal occupation.
With India’s growing economic and military strength, the long-term objective of reclaiming PoK remains on the strategic agenda. While the timing and execution of such an initiative require careful planning, the nationalist movement led by RSS ensures that the demand for PoK’s return remains alive in India’s political discourse.
The 1994 resolution reaffirmed India’s unwavering commitment to Jammu & Kashmir, and today, the Modi government, backed by RSS and nationalist forces, is taking concrete steps to reclaim what rightfully belongs to India. The removal of Article 370 was a significant milestone, and the next logical step is reclaiming PoK—a goal that remains at the core of India’s strategic vision for the future.