J&K – The issues around the state

Kashmir Issue: Why India went to the UN

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: History of Kashmir's accession

Mains level: Read the attached story

kashmir un

Central Idea

  • The intricate tale of Kashmir’s “special status” has been a source of enduring conflict and turmoil within India and its neighbouring Pakistan.
  • Unravelling the events that led to rolling in of the UN in the Kashmir dispute, requires delving into verified historical facts.

Kashmir: Birth of a Princely State

  • Origins: The princely state of Jammu and Kashmir emerged in 1846 when the British sold Kashmir to Gulab Singh, the Dogra jagirdar of Jammu, after the first Anglo-Sikh War.
  • Hari Singh’s Heritage: Maharaja Hari Singh, the ruler during India’s independence, was Gulab Singh’s descendant and envisioned an independent and neutral Kashmir.

Dilemma of Accession

  • Independence Aspiration: Hari Singh aspired for Kashmir’s independence post-British rule, with a vision of a “Switzerland of the East.”
  • Viceroy’s Visit: Viceroy Lord Louis Mountbatten suggested Hari Singh’s accession to either India or Pakistan, but the state wanted to remain independent.
  • Gurdaspur’s Significance: The Radcliffe Boundary Commission’s decision on Gurdaspur was pivotal. The district’s inclusion in India secured a practical route for Kashmir’s potential accession.

The Turning Point

  • Infiltration and Conflict: Infiltrators crossed over from Pakistan in October 1947, advancing swiftly. The identity of the infiltrators and their motivation remains disputed between India and Pakistan.
  • Pakistani Motivation: Pakistan claims the raiders acted independently, avenging atrocities against Muslims in India, while India asserts their involvement was orchestrated.
  • Jinnah’s Knowledge: Opinions diverge on whether Jinnah was informed about the infiltrators’ plan, with conflicting accounts of his awareness.

Imperative of Accession

  • Hari Singh’s Request: Hari Singh requested military aid from India in response to the infiltrations, leading to India’s intervention.
  • Instrument of Accession: VP Menon brought the Instrument of Accession from Hari Singh, formalizing the state’s accession to India.

Plebiscite and the UN Involvement

  • Mountbatten’s Stance: Mountbatten’s recommendation to involve the UN stemmed from his pessimism about bilateral negotiations between India and Pakistan.
  • UN Involvement: India took the Kashmir issue to the UN in 1948, seeking intervention to resolve the conflict. The framing of the issue as the “India-Pakistan question” was seen as a symbolic defeat for India.
  • Stance of World Powers: US and UK’s inclination toward Pakistan, in part due to geopolitical considerations, influenced the UN’s approach to the issue.

Why did India go to the UN?

  • International Attention: India sought global attention and legitimacy by involving the UN in the Kashmir conflict.
  • Bilateral Stalemate: Unsuccessful bilateral negotiations pushed India to explore UN mediation.
  • Mountbatten’s Advice: Lord Mountbatten’s pessimism about the India-Pakistan agreement led to UN recommendation.
  • Symbolic Significance: Framing the issue at the UN highlighted its international nature.
  • Legitimacy and Process: UN involvement provided a structured platform for presenting arguments.
  • Conflict Avoidance: UN mediation aimed to prevent further conflict escalation in the region.

Post-UN Scenario

  • Plebiscite Debate: India and Pakistan both agreed on the need for a plebiscite, but differing circumstances delayed its execution.
  • India’s Hardened Stand: As Pakistan aligned with the US, Nehru’s stance against a plebiscite intensified, fearing bias due to Sheikh Abdullah’s inclination towards India.
  • Integration with India: Jammu and Kashmir participated in India’s democratic processes, and Article 370, granting the region “special status,” was incorporated into the Indian Constitution.

Conclusion

  • The complex history of Kashmir’s “special status” remains a subject of fervent debate, with deeply entrenched narratives on both sides.
  • It is within this intricate framework that the ongoing discussions and negotiations surrounding Kashmir’s future continue to unfold.

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now

Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

Join us across Social Media platforms.

💥Mentorship New Batch Launch
💥Mentorship New Batch Launch