Neither
nations are interested in conducting the plebiscite anymore because it would be
butchering the goose which lays golden eggs for the media, military and
politics of both nations, whenever necessary.
Kashmir is
literally a paradise for the nature lovers, media and politicians from both
sides of the borders. It provides an unlimited supply of fuel for the crank to
churn out sensations. The history of Kashmir which became the epicentre of Indo-Pak tensions had its inception from the
period of partition. Notably, Kashmir was under the rule of Dogra dynasty
during the eve of the Independence struggle. The then ruler Raja Hari Singh
followed the exorbitant and plushy lifestyle and was no different than the rulers
of rest of the princely states. The All India Jammu Kashmir Muslim Conference
formed in 1932 (later became National
Conference) headed by the Lion of Kashmir aka Sheikh Abdullah clamoured for the
rights of people and proportional representation of Muslims in Kashmiri
administration.
In 1947, India
becomes independent and Patel started bagging the states to the Indian union.
Kashmir along with Junagarh and Hyderabad decided to stay Independent. However,
the latter two merged with India through referendum and police action
respectively. Kashmir signed the Standstill Agreement with the two new
countries. The Indian leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi
wanted Kashmir to be a part of India. For Nehru, it was more than mere border
diplomacy but a question of his ethnicity being an Indian as he was a Kashmiri
Pandit. Also, Sheikh Abdullah, the most popular leader in Kashmir shared many
interests with Nehru. Both were steadfast supporters of Hindu-Muslim harmony
and socialism. Hence, with the support of the Sheikh, merging Kashmir and
making the lofty Himalayas as the natural boundary of India was tend to be a
piece of cake. Whereas, in the beginning, Sardar Patel who dexterously unified
India using his iron fist was not much enthusiastic about covering Indian head
with Pashmina shawl. But after September 13 he altered his timbre on Kashmir.
If Pakistan is dared enough to seek a spot inside India then Kashmir who is
ruled by a Hindu should belong to India, this was the main point of Patel’s advocacy.
Notably, British Commander of the state had noted that most Kashmiris have no
strong bias towards either India or Pakistan.
The dynamics of the
region were perpetually altered on 22nd October when a cavalry of armed Pathans
invaded from the North and separated North-West frontier from Kashmir. They
were considered as the men of Poonch who wanted their land to be liberated from
the rule of a Hindu king. They had the tacit permission of NWFP Prime
Minister Abdul Qayyum and the British
Governor Sir George Cunningham and the Pak army also turned a blind eye towards
the invasion. The infiltrators had shown no religious affinity while it comes
to plunder and loot. At Baramullah, avarice triumphed humanity, they killed,
raped and set arsons. On October 24th Maharaja wired for Indian military aid.
Due to the advice of Sir Mountbatten, India pushed for a legal agreement and
Hari Singh was obliged to ink the Instrument of Accession on 26th October.
Hence, the Indian troops clambered abroad and liberated the Valley through a
feverish fight. Indian army reestablished peace by unshackling it from the
grips of Islamic fanatic cavalry.
Obviously, India,
which was an ardent follower of the internationalist and Nehruvian Doctrine in
foreign diplomacy during that period took the Kashmir issue into the UN
platform. India had numerous reasons to believe that the UN would take a pro-
India decision in Kashmir problem. However, the British representative
Noel-Baker surprisingly took sides with Pakistan. The three main reasons
pointed out by historians for the Pro- Pak stand are, the British government
have always supported the Muslim League over the Congress. Secondly, the
creation of Israel has attracted the discontent of Islamic countries and the
leniency towards Pakistan would ameliorate the same. Thirdly, to keep an eye on the increasing
influence of the Soviet Union over the area, Pakistan would be a better
ally.
Soon after the ruckus in the UN, a war between
India and Pakistan was emanated at the valley. UN Special Commission was formed
to stop the war and to conduct a plebiscite for weighing the decision of the
people of Kashmir. The plebiscite is still to be conducted and both India and
Pakistan effectively does the blame game for postponing the people’s verdict.
Neither nations are interested in conducting the plebiscite anymore because it
would be butchering the goose which lays golden eggs for the media, military
and politics of both nations, whenever necessary.
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