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| ACCESSION OF J&K TO INDIA : WHY & HOW | | | By COL J P SINGH (RETD) | 10/24/2009 10:53:45 PM |
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With the advent of Pakistan, J&K became an object of international conspiracy for making it a part of Pakistan by consent, if not, by force. Thanks to the astute vision and courage of Maharaja Hari Singh who staked every thing to prevent it and succeeded in doing so despite perverse pressures. Because he knew that the destiny of his State was linked to India and his subjects would be happier with a brighter future as citizens of India.
Princely state of Jammu & Kashmir acceded to Indian Dominion on 26 October 1947, much later than the last stipulated date of 14 August 1947. Why did the Ruler opt for India, why delayed and how the accession took place remains a matter of debate till date. His decision of accession to India in the hind sight was a remarkable historical event and can be associated to the saying Der Aye, Durust Aye even though this has been projected to be due to Maharaja Hari Singh’s inability to take a timely decision on the matter of great necessity of timely accession. Historically, socially and culturally J& K was part of India from times immemorial. But geographical contiguity and communal composition weighed heavily in favour of accession to Pakistan. Hence Maharaja’s decision to accede to Indian Dominion was difficult. thus delayed, though most pragmatic and sagacious.
Interestingly an ingenious example of politics & history occurred recently in the U N General Assembly that made the world community and the listeners laugh and soul search. Speaking on the Kashmir issue, the Indian speaker began with the history of Kashmir’s origin and said, “Gentlemen before beginning my talk on Kashmir I wish to tell you something about Rishi Kashyap, a great saint and grand son of Brahma, the Creator; after whom Kashmir is named. When he struck a rock with all his might, it brought forth a jet of water. He thought what an opportunity for a pious bath. He kept his clothes on another rock before entering the pool of water. When he came out his clothes had vanished. A Pakistani had stolen them”. Pakistani delegate jumped up in fury and shouted, “ What are you talking about? Pakistani were no where on the earth at that time.” The speaker smiled and said, “ Now that you have made it clear which makes my job easier, I will begin my speech. They say Kashmir belongs to them.”
There is historical evidence that Kashmir was part of empire of Ashoka the Great of Maurya dynasty in about the year 21 BC. In 125 AD Raja Kanishka of Peshawar who was a Budhist annexed Kashmir. In the early 11th century Mohd of Gazni made an attempt to proselytise valley but failed. In the 14th century Rachan Shah, son of ruler of Ladakh seized power , embraced Islam and established Muslim rule in the valley. In the 16th century Akbar, the Mughal King conquered Kashmir which gave it a two centuries of peaceful existence. Ahmed Shah Abdali dislodged Mughals in the 18th century & he was driven out by Maharaja Ranjit Singh with the help of Raja Gulab Singh in 1819. Kashmir remained under Sikh rule till 1846. Gulab Singh was made Raja of Jammu on 17 June 1822. In 1830 Gulab Singh added Ladakh and in 1842 he added Baltisan & Gilgit in his empire. But Gulab Singh’s position became very uncertain during open scramble for power that followed death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1939 and his son’s and grand son’s death together after a year. Later it was Anglo-Sikh war which gave Gulab Singh possession of hilly regions between River Beas & Indus including Kashmir on payment of Rs 75 Lac to Britishers as war indemnity on behalf of Lahore Durbar.
When India got independence princely sates were bound to the British empire by a special treaty called Doctrine of Paramountacy. Before independence Lord Mountbatten advised the rulers of princely states of pragmatic considerations leaving them with no choice but to join either India or Pakistan subject however to the factor of geographical contiguity. When he met Maharaja Hari Singh in June 1947 to discuss the issue of accession, he found Maharaja Hari Singh was not very clear on the option between India & Pakistan and was also considering independence as another option. J&K was contiguous with both India and Pakistan. Pitched between the two with a common border & political/economic affiliations with both; its joining either of the two was full of complications hence he was faced with no easy choice. Mountbatten urged him & his Prime Minister not to make any hasty decision on declaration of independence of J&K. He asked Maharaja to seek the will of masses, by plebiscite if necessary, besides pragmatically considering geographical contiguity & communal composition before taking a decision. He also expressed his desire to know the decision before 14 August. This closed all the option for Maharaja other than joining Pakistan. Mountbatten’s advice was as good as direction to Hari Singh to accede to Pakistan . On the other hand Indain leaders cold shouldered the issue of accession. This put him under great pressure & dilemma. Had he acceded to Pakistan, Hindus of Jammu, Kashmir valley ( Kasmiris) and Ladakh would have never taken it kindly. Had he acceded to India, Muslims of areas contiguous to Pakistan would have resented. Moreover Radcliffe Commission which was to partition Punjab had not announced its award which created uncertainty about the extent and alignment of boundary line of Jammu province with Pakistan’s East Punjab. This fact also added to his indecision. Prevailing situation compelled Maharaja to sign a stand still agreement with India & Pakistan. Pakistan accepted the agreement but India didn’t. Seeing vulnerabilities of Maharaja, Pakistan disregarded the agreement and pushed armed raider in J&K on 21 October. By 24 October raiders had captured Mahura power house and plunged Srinagar in darkness. Had they not halted at Baramula for recreational rapes, murders and loot, the 1947 war would have been fought differently. Pakistan called the raiders as tribesmen and denied her own involvement. Maharaja asked for Indian assistance which was fully supported by Sheikh Mohd Abdullah andacceded to India through Document of Accession which was accepted on 26 October 1947. Build up of Indian Army began on 27 Oct and the valley was saved from the marauders. Eviction of raiders from occupied areas continued till 31 Dec 1948. With effect from 1 January 1949 UNO sponsored cease fire came in to effect thus ending the military operation.
After the accession of J&K was formally accepted , the Governor General wrote “ it is my govt’s wish (not obligation) that as soon as the law and order has been restored in Kashmir and her soil cleared of the invaders (ie Pakistanis), the question of states’s accession should be settled by a reference to the people.” This reference was made to the people many times except in areas under illegal occupation of Pakistan. In Feburary 1954 the Constituent Assembly of J&K ratified the decision of accession. In November 1956 this decision was also given the formal sanction of people through their democratically elected Constituent Assembly. This is how at last the accession & integration of state to the Indian Union took place. There was a great genius and a remarkable patriot, which India had produced like many others, who made J&K a state of India despite great perverse pressure. He was Maharaja Hari Singh. Decades after his death, Maharaja Hari Singh is still remembered in the state as a most democratic, progressive, just and efficient ruler and will continue to be remembered as such for times to come.Today we are proud & prosperous Indians because of him.
Hazaron sal nargis apni benoori pe roti hai
Bari mushkal se hota hai chaman mein deedar paida.
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