Every Indian Must Know The Truth Behind Kashmir Issue

Kashmiris on Burhan Wani Funeral

It all started after Indian Independence post 1947 from British Rule. The whole country was scattered into 565 princely state. It was not a easy task to combine all these states to one country. Sardar Patel The Iron Man of India was the man who integrated all princely states of India. If Sardar Patel was not there India must have more unresolved issues like Jammu and Kashmir. He was behind creating a unified India by integrating 565 princely states. When the British left India with two countries India and Pakistan, all the princely states were free to make their decision to join any country or be independent.

Jammu and Kashmir which was then ruled by Maharaja Hari Singh decided to live as independent.Maharaja Hari Singh, the ruler of Kashmir, was Hindu while most of his subjects were Muslim. Unable to decide which nation Kashmir should join, Hari Singh chose to remain neutral. There were some more states that decided to be independent but later Pakistan attacked on them and force them to be a part of Pakistan, the states now known as Balochistan and Sindh. Pakistan sent its tribesmen that attacked on Jammu and Kashmir in October 1947. Hari Singh appealed to the Indian government for military assistance and fled to India. He signed the Instrument of Accession, ceding Kashmir to India on October 26.

Indian and Pakistani forces thus fought their first war over Kashmir in 1947-48. Indian Prime minister Mr. Nehru referred the dispute to the United Nations on 1 January. The UN then came with its resolution.

The UN resolution 47 was somewhat in favour of India. The three things it said was -

1. Pakistan withdraw its forces and all tribal who entered Kashmir.
2. India reduce its troop density but not vacate Kashmir.
3. A plebiscite be held for the people of Kashmir to decide their future.

This is the actual draft of UN resolution available at UN’s website -

The problem with the resolution was that it was never enforced. Had it been enforced it might just have given us the cleanest possible solution to the issue.

A plebiscite at that time had a very good likelihood of being favourable towards India. The fact that Pakistani tribals aided, abated and ofttimes accompanied by their Pakistan army units raided villages leaving behind broad trails of rape and pillage through Kashmir was not lost on the common people.

This was also a time before the onset of radicalization in the region. Kashmir at that time was a Sufi stronghold with diverse religious and ethnic composition. Plus I think most of its leaders realized that it would not be wise to join Pakistan. Yes, some did keep ambitions of making a free Kashmir, a feeling sometimes fleetingly betrayed by Sheikh Abdullah himself, but I think there was a realization at least on some level that this might not be feasible. Let's for instance take what the Sheikh had opined on this matter during the early years of this conflict.

Nehru wanted plebiscite whereas Sardar Patel wanted to resolve based on Independence Act. and thus referendum didn't happen.

Detailed View Click to Enlarge.

Since Nehru never believed or accepted J&K as part of India, Nehru never approved of full-fledged war with Pakistan. Nehru treated J&K as always an International issue   and a disputed territory and was even reluctant to send Indian Army. Nehru was ready to send troops in J&K as a sovereign nation but not as part of India.

Nehru confusion can be seen from his telegraph to British PM :

For Prime Minister United Kingdom from Prime Minister India.

We have received urgent appeal for assistance from Kashmir Government. We would be disposed to give favourable consideration to such request from any friendly State. Kashmir's Northern frontiers, as you are aware, run in common with those of three countries, Afghanistan, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and China. Security of Kashmir, which must depend upon control of internal tranquillity and existence of stable Government, is vital to security of India especially since part of Southern boundary of Kashmir and India are common. Helping Kashmir, therefore, is an obligation of national interest to India. We are giving urgent consideration to question as to what assistance we can give to State to defend itself.

I should like to make it clear that question of aiding Kashmir in this emergency is not designed in any way to influence the State to accede to India. Our view which we have repeatedly made public is that the question of accession in any disputed territory or State must be decided in accordance with wishes of people and we adhere to this view. It is quite clear, however, that no free expression of will of people of Kashmir is possible if external aggression succeeds in imperilling integrity of its territory.

I have thought it desirable to inform you of situation because of its threat of international complications.

Complications and most factors that are making plebiscite impossible are caused by Pakistan.

Primary factors

Refer to the highlighted parts in the draft of UN resolution which show that -

• The UN resolution of 1948 applies to the full “State of Jammu & Kashmir”. As shown in the map below, this includes Gilgit-Baltistan, AZK, Shaksgam Valley, Jammu, Ladakh and Kashmir valley – not just Kashmir (in red area)
• For UN plebiscite to be conducted, the first condition is that Government of Pakistan should withdraw it’s forces and non-residents from the area
• When the above has been established, then Government of India needs to reduce forces to the minimum strength, as required to maintain law & order
• The first step to be taken by Pakistan has never been done, due to obvious reasons.

Secondary factors

• India has respected the sanctity of demographics in India administered Kashmir through Article 370 in India’s Constitution. No non-Kashmiris can buy land, get government job or settle in Kashmir. Thus the demographics of original Kashmiri population have been maintained till date
• The only change in demographics of India administered Kashmir is the one that came in 1990’s when Pakistan sponsored Muslim radicals inflicted violence and drove away 300,000 Hindus out of Kashmir, in order to make the area as Muslim majority
• In Pakistan administered Kashmir, there is no such control. Many non-Kashmiris from other Pakistani areas have settled down in AZK and Gilgit- Baltistan. The demographics in this area is no more as it was in pre-1948
• In 1963, Pakistan gave away Shaksgam valley to China, without the consent of local people. This area is now controlled by China
• Due to all the above factors, the demographics of the “State of Jammu and Kashmir” have changed completely since 1948. For a fair plebiscite to happen, pre-1948 demographics need to be restored. This requires -

1. In Pakistan administered Kashmir -> non-Kashmiris should be moved out from the region
2. In India administered area -> Kashmiri Hindus should be brought back.

The above are not practically possible steps.

Other practical factors

Even if all the above steps are completed and a plebiscite is eventually conducted today, no single outcome can be acceptable to all stakeholders.

• Gilgit Baltistan and AZK may vote to go with Pakistan
• Jammu and Ladakh for India
• Shaksgam valley for China? (or Pakistan, or independence)
• Kashmir valley may vote for independence

Now, Pakistan has two options

1. Keep raising Kashmir plebiscite issue at every UN session knowing fully well that it can never happen
2. Give up it’s obsession with Kashmir, accept status quo and focus on other priorities like creating jobs and economic development

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