Nehru forced Congress to Hug Sheikh at the cost of Hari Singh
Daya Sagar Sharma
November 28, 2008
Congress had won 8 out of 11 British Indian Province elections ( including Muslim dominated NWFP). Indian Muslim League had secured only one of 90 seats in Punjab Legislature. Sheikh Abdullah made up his mind in 1937 itself to seek the political support of Indian National Congress for his movement against the Dogra Raj . Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan had also influenced Sheikh during his visit to Srinagar. So for entering the political scene at all India level it was in 1938 that Sheikh Abdullah decided to open the doors of Muslim Conference for Hindu ( all ) as well. He moved a resolution in the Working Committee meeting of JK Muslim Conference in June 1938 at Sopore for making recommendations to the General Council ..Bakshi Gulam Mohammad and G M Sadiq opposed it . Gulam Abbas ( who later became leader of Muslim Conference in Pakistan ) also opposed it. But the resolution was passed . JK Muslim Conference was named as National Conference in it's annual session in 1939 . No doubt there after Bakshi Ghulam Mohd and GM Sadiq strongly held to the ties with India and rejected the two nation theory. They even rejected the concept that was any where near to the independent Kashmir . Bakshi Ghulam Mohd become Prime Minister of J&K on 9th August 1953 when Sheikh Abdullah was arrested for alleged anti India activities and Ghulam Mohd Sadiq became Prime Minister of J&K in 1965 after Shamas u Din. It was during the times of Sadiq that Constitution of J&K was amended to change the designation of the head of Sate Ministry from PM to Chief Minister .
Some muslims of Jammu and Mirpur/ Poonch refused to go with National Conference of Sheikh Abdullah in 1939 and they held back to the flag and manifesto of Muslim Conference . Those from Muslim Conference who did not go with Sheikh were also in Jammu, Mirpur, Poonch and Muzaffarabad. National Conference did not find much acceptance in Jammu. The reins of Muslim Conference were held more by Punjabi speaking muslims like Chaudhary Gulam Abbas and Sardar Mohamad Ibrahim. Under the changed leadership, the Muslim Conference almost became a "branch" of Indian Muslim League. National Conference showed inclination towards the leaders of Congress. Earlier the J&K Muslim Conference leadership openly supported the demand for Pakistan/ Partition of India. But later on when Mehar Chand Mahajan ( a Judge from Punjab High Court ) replaced Ram Chand Kak as Prime Minister of Hari Singh in October 1947 Muslim Conference sensed that chances of J&K's accession with Pakistan were very very remote . Then some Muslim Conference leaders in collaboration with Pakistan government started planning for invasion of the State from Pakistan side. In Kashmir the Muslim Conference continued it's activities and plans under the leadership of , the priest of Srinagar , Maulvi Mohmmad Yusuf 's Party . Maulvi´s party was nick named as bakra party and Sheikh's National Conference as sher party. Awami Action Commiittee of Maulvi Farooq can be seen as the later version of Muslim Conference in Kashmir after 1947.
The Dogra area of Jammu Region had remained politically under sectoral and factional politics till the Pakistani invasion of 1947 . It was under compulsions of the invasions by the intruders from the Pakistan side that the people of Jammu region were nearly forced to organise themselves politically and adjust to some order. It is also suggested by some that in later years a number of Communist leaders fled to Kashmir inview of British onslaught on them after 1941 invasion of Russia by Hitler. Communist's advocacy of right to self determination on the point of secession of groups/ areas/ zones attracted Sheikh in his imagination on future governance of J&K. Naya Kashmir manifesto of 1945 adopted by NC was surely the reflection of communist minds as regards proposed Political and Economic Goals.
Government in Britain changed in 1946. Cabinet Mission arrived in India for talks with the Indian leaders regarding British withdrawal from India. Sheikh Mohd Abdullah became ambitious and thought of approaching the British direct suggesting that J&K power be handed over to him since the Amritsar Treaty ( March 1946 ) under which Gulab Singh got the control of Kashmir Valley (J&K ) should be taken as invalid after British retreat.. He also then (May 1946 ) launched the Quit Kashmir Movement even with out consulting Congress. Congress did not in principle support Quit Kashmir movement. But Jawahar Lal Nehru who considered him self as expert on Kashmir rushed to Kashmir to even plead for Sheikh who had been arrested ( 20-05-1946 ) by Maharaja after quit Kashmir call . Nehru was detained ( 19 June 1946 ) at Kohala Bridge by State police/ forces.. Since Nehru had been in principle retained for appointment as Vice President of interim Indian Government his support / arrest at Kohala was used by the supporters of Sheikh Abdullah to publicise the cause of NC's Quit Kashmir Movement . Where as otherwise after the arrest of Sheikh the quit Kashmir Movement had nearly fallen on ground. Nehru appeared to have developed personal disliking for Hari Singh and Sheikh fully encashed that. Abdullah was tried on charges of sedition and sentenced three years rigorous imprisonment to in July 1946.
Mountbatten Plan on partition of British India was announced on 3rd June 1947 and the f British troops were to with draw from India by 15-08-1947 . The withdrawal of British from India theoretically indicated an independent status to all the Princely States of British Indian Empire after the lapse of British paramountcy But still the Governor General advised all the Princes that it will be in the interest of the Princes as well as the new Dominions of Bharat and Pakistan that they joined one of the Dominions before 15 August, 1947 (deadline for Bristish withdrawal ). It was on 17-06-1947 that Indian Independence Act passed by British Parliament.
Sheikh was projected by Nehru indirectly as an element that held the balance between the Hindu who wanted to accede to India and the Muslim Conference that wanted accession to Pakistan. For reason not fixed yet through documents it could be alleged that Nehru wanted to appease / favour Abdullah by putting him in the power seat over the head of Hari Singh even before accession. Hari Singh had preference for India but did not relish handing over power to Sheikh before accession. Maharaja was irritated with the behaviour of Nehru Pakistan Government started offering attractive terms incase Hari Singh joined Pakistan. Hari Singh 's sentiments stood in the way of Pakistan. Hence he deferred accession.Communist stand of self determination to each linguistic 'nationality' fitted well with Sheikh's stand for freedom from Prince before accession.
Also under partition plans as were being drawn the district of Gurdaspur that included rail head of Pathankot and provided only road link between Jammu and East Punjab had been included in West Pakistan . The announcement of Radcliff award that finally awarded Gurdaspur to India was unduly delayed for two days ( announced on 16 August 1947) . Since it was an important parameter for accession of J&K with India or Pakistan or even stay neutral the delay in announcement could be surely seen are reasons to allege that Mountbatten too contributed to Maharaja's indecision. It is also alleged as intentional on the part of Mountbatten who had earlier accused Maharaja of delaying accession after he had gone to Srinagar on
19-06-47 for 4 days to tell Hari Singh of bads of indecision. But Mountbatten also knew that by that time Redcliff award had not been finally known..So the allegation on Mountbatten ( a very close friend of Nehru family ) as laid by some people that Mountbatten wanted Hari Singh to accede to Pakistan do had substance.. Sheikh Mohd Abdullah had even chosen G M Sadiq in October 1947 to discuss with Jinnah the terms on which he might have preferred accession of Kashmir to Pakistan. Maharaja's PM Ram Chand Kak too was infavour of remaining Independent inview of JK being a muslim majority state ( muslims may cause trouble in some areas if acceded to India and as per Kak Sheikh was not dependable for handing over power to him before accession). Muslim Conference was though supporting Hari Singh in view of strained relations between Abdullah and Maharaja . As per indicators available the Nabab of Bhopal was hoping for independent Crown and his Home Minister M Shoab Qureshi too visited J&K during that period . Pakistani elements in Hyderabad to were looking at Kak. Mr. Kak felt that India was not strong enough and was also indecisive.
No decision was taken / possibly till 14th August and Hari singh sent telegram on 12th August 1947 for stand still agreement to India and Pakistan. Pakistan signed ( 18-08-1947 ) stand still agreement. And India wanted to discuss. But discussions were not held. The conditions went bad since Maharaja did not agree with proposals of Nehru. It was any how on 20-09-1947 Sheikh Abdullah was released from Jail on an undertaking that he would work for securing peace in J&K and Delhi played a role in the settlement. In early August 1947 Mahatam Gandhi too visited Kashmir and tried to make Maharaja Hari Singh concede the Nehru backed demand of Sheikh Abdullah for installing a democratic government immediately on accession , he though termed it a demand of the people. But surely Sheikh was not every thing in J&K . And Delhi treating J&K different than other princely states is for what people of J&K are paying price today.
( Daya Sagar is social activist and coloumnist on Kashmir affairs dayasagr@yahoo.co.uk )
Some muslims of Jammu and Mirpur/ Poonch refused to go with National Conference of Sheikh Abdullah in 1939 and they held back to the flag and manifesto of Muslim Conference . Those from Muslim Conference who did not go with Sheikh were also in Jammu, Mirpur, Poonch and Muzaffarabad. National Conference did not find much acceptance in Jammu. The reins of Muslim Conference were held more by Punjabi speaking muslims like Chaudhary Gulam Abbas and Sardar Mohamad Ibrahim. Under the changed leadership, the Muslim Conference almost became a "branch" of Indian Muslim League. National Conference showed inclination towards the leaders of Congress. Earlier the J&K Muslim Conference leadership openly supported the demand for Pakistan/ Partition of India. But later on when Mehar Chand Mahajan ( a Judge from Punjab High Court ) replaced Ram Chand Kak as Prime Minister of Hari Singh in October 1947 Muslim Conference sensed that chances of J&K's accession with Pakistan were very very remote . Then some Muslim Conference leaders in collaboration with Pakistan government started planning for invasion of the State from Pakistan side. In Kashmir the Muslim Conference continued it's activities and plans under the leadership of , the priest of Srinagar , Maulvi Mohmmad Yusuf 's Party . Maulvi´s party was nick named as bakra party and Sheikh's National Conference as sher party. Awami Action Commiittee of Maulvi Farooq can be seen as the later version of Muslim Conference in Kashmir after 1947.
The Dogra area of Jammu Region had remained politically under sectoral and factional politics till the Pakistani invasion of 1947 . It was under compulsions of the invasions by the intruders from the Pakistan side that the people of Jammu region were nearly forced to organise themselves politically and adjust to some order. It is also suggested by some that in later years a number of Communist leaders fled to Kashmir inview of British onslaught on them after 1941 invasion of Russia by Hitler. Communist's advocacy of right to self determination on the point of secession of groups/ areas/ zones attracted Sheikh in his imagination on future governance of J&K. Naya Kashmir manifesto of 1945 adopted by NC was surely the reflection of communist minds as regards proposed Political and Economic Goals.
Government in Britain changed in 1946. Cabinet Mission arrived in India for talks with the Indian leaders regarding British withdrawal from India. Sheikh Mohd Abdullah became ambitious and thought of approaching the British direct suggesting that J&K power be handed over to him since the Amritsar Treaty ( March 1946 ) under which Gulab Singh got the control of Kashmir Valley (J&K ) should be taken as invalid after British retreat.. He also then (May 1946 ) launched the Quit Kashmir Movement even with out consulting Congress. Congress did not in principle support Quit Kashmir movement. But Jawahar Lal Nehru who considered him self as expert on Kashmir rushed to Kashmir to even plead for Sheikh who had been arrested ( 20-05-1946 ) by Maharaja after quit Kashmir call . Nehru was detained ( 19 June 1946 ) at Kohala Bridge by State police/ forces.. Since Nehru had been in principle retained for appointment as Vice President of interim Indian Government his support / arrest at Kohala was used by the supporters of Sheikh Abdullah to publicise the cause of NC's Quit Kashmir Movement . Where as otherwise after the arrest of Sheikh the quit Kashmir Movement had nearly fallen on ground. Nehru appeared to have developed personal disliking for Hari Singh and Sheikh fully encashed that. Abdullah was tried on charges of sedition and sentenced three years rigorous imprisonment to in July 1946.
Mountbatten Plan on partition of British India was announced on 3rd June 1947 and the f British troops were to with draw from India by 15-08-1947 . The withdrawal of British from India theoretically indicated an independent status to all the Princely States of British Indian Empire after the lapse of British paramountcy But still the Governor General advised all the Princes that it will be in the interest of the Princes as well as the new Dominions of Bharat and Pakistan that they joined one of the Dominions before 15 August, 1947 (deadline for Bristish withdrawal ). It was on 17-06-1947 that Indian Independence Act passed by British Parliament.
Sheikh was projected by Nehru indirectly as an element that held the balance between the Hindu who wanted to accede to India and the Muslim Conference that wanted accession to Pakistan. For reason not fixed yet through documents it could be alleged that Nehru wanted to appease / favour Abdullah by putting him in the power seat over the head of Hari Singh even before accession. Hari Singh had preference for India but did not relish handing over power to Sheikh before accession. Maharaja was irritated with the behaviour of Nehru Pakistan Government started offering attractive terms incase Hari Singh joined Pakistan. Hari Singh 's sentiments stood in the way of Pakistan. Hence he deferred accession.Communist stand of self determination to each linguistic 'nationality' fitted well with Sheikh's stand for freedom from Prince before accession.
Also under partition plans as were being drawn the district of Gurdaspur that included rail head of Pathankot and provided only road link between Jammu and East Punjab had been included in West Pakistan . The announcement of Radcliff award that finally awarded Gurdaspur to India was unduly delayed for two days ( announced on 16 August 1947) . Since it was an important parameter for accession of J&K with India or Pakistan or even stay neutral the delay in announcement could be surely seen are reasons to allege that Mountbatten too contributed to Maharaja's indecision. It is also alleged as intentional on the part of Mountbatten who had earlier accused Maharaja of delaying accession after he had gone to Srinagar on
19-06-47 for 4 days to tell Hari Singh of bads of indecision. But Mountbatten also knew that by that time Redcliff award had not been finally known..So the allegation on Mountbatten ( a very close friend of Nehru family ) as laid by some people that Mountbatten wanted Hari Singh to accede to Pakistan do had substance.. Sheikh Mohd Abdullah had even chosen G M Sadiq in October 1947 to discuss with Jinnah the terms on which he might have preferred accession of Kashmir to Pakistan. Maharaja's PM Ram Chand Kak too was infavour of remaining Independent inview of JK being a muslim majority state ( muslims may cause trouble in some areas if acceded to India and as per Kak Sheikh was not dependable for handing over power to him before accession). Muslim Conference was though supporting Hari Singh in view of strained relations between Abdullah and Maharaja . As per indicators available the Nabab of Bhopal was hoping for independent Crown and his Home Minister M Shoab Qureshi too visited J&K during that period . Pakistani elements in Hyderabad to were looking at Kak. Mr. Kak felt that India was not strong enough and was also indecisive.
No decision was taken / possibly till 14th August and Hari singh sent telegram on 12th August 1947 for stand still agreement to India and Pakistan. Pakistan signed ( 18-08-1947 ) stand still agreement. And India wanted to discuss. But discussions were not held. The conditions went bad since Maharaja did not agree with proposals of Nehru. It was any how on 20-09-1947 Sheikh Abdullah was released from Jail on an undertaking that he would work for securing peace in J&K and Delhi played a role in the settlement. In early August 1947 Mahatam Gandhi too visited Kashmir and tried to make Maharaja Hari Singh concede the Nehru backed demand of Sheikh Abdullah for installing a democratic government immediately on accession , he though termed it a demand of the people. But surely Sheikh was not every thing in J&K . And Delhi treating J&K different than other princely states is for what people of J&K are paying price today.
( Daya Sagar is social activist and coloumnist on Kashmir affairs dayasagr@yahoo.co.uk )
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