Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 2: Many senior leaders from Kashmir of late have been trying to sow the seed of suspicion with frequent statements terming the accession as “temporary” or “provisional” lamented Brig Anil Gupta, State spokesperson of Bharatiya Janata Party.
In a statement issued here, today he said reference is also being made of exchange of correspondence between the Maharaja Hari Singh and the then Governor General of India, Lord Mountbatten, laying down certain conditions for acceptance of accession.
The accession of the princely State of J&K to India took place as per the Indian Independence Act which clearly laid down that the ruler of the State had to take the final decision regarding his State joining either of the two dominions namely India & Pakistan, reiterated Brig Gupta. The ruler did not enjoy the privilege of even deciding to remain independent. There was no provision in the Act ascertaining the wishes of the people. These were the norms under which other princely states also acceded to India or Pakistan, he asserted.
Sheikh Abdullah did endorse this decision of the Maharaja being the leader of the only political party of the State at that time but had no say in the decision making, clarified Brig Gupta negating the claim of those who frequently state that “we decided to join with India.” The accession was final and irrevocable. “There was no question also of a conditional acceptance by the Governor General because there was no such provision in the Indian Independence Act.
He said the Governor General did not enjoy any legal authority to decide the future of princely states and hence accept, reject or lay down conditions for accession,” Brig Gupta added.
Maharaja acceded the State to the Dominion of India as per the Instrument of Accession which was identical to the Instrument signed by the other princely states and the State merged with the Republic when the Dominion of India became the Republic of India on 26 January 1950, stated Brig Gupta.
Another fallacy being spread is that United Nations (UNO) is to decide on the status of J&K, rued Brig Gupta. The matter before the UNO was of blatant aggression in J&K by Pakistan after the State had duly acceded with India in accordance with the terms of the Indian Independence Act, stated Brig Gupta.
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