Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: History of Kashmir's accession
Mains level: Read the attached story
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.
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