At the time of independence, there was a princely state called 'Junagadh' in Gujarat. Junagadh province lies on the coast of Arabian Sea, and used to be the gateway for Haj travelers. Junagadh has easy accessibility to Karachi via sea route. There were 565 princely states in India which were given an option to either join Indian Union or Pakistan based on their geographical location.
The Nawab of Junagadh, Mohammad Mahabat Khanji III, decided that Junagadh should become part of Pakistan. He acceded Junagadh to Pakistan on 15 September 1947, against the advice of Lord Mountbatten. After one month, Pakistan accepted the Nawab's Instrument of Accession on 16 September, 1947.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel believed that if Junagadh was permitted to go to Pakistan, it would result in the communal tensions in Gujarat. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel asked Pakistan to reverse its acceptance of the accession and to hold a plebiscite in Junagadh. Patel ordered the forcible annexation of Junagadh. Junagadh's state government, lacking army forces to resist the Indian force, invited the Government of India to take control.
A plebiscite was held on 20 February 1948, in which only 91 out of 190,870 voted against the Indian union, ie. 99% of the population voted to join India.
When a Hindu-majority territory , acceded to Pakistan by a Muslim ruler,CAN be forcefully integrated into Indian Union, why a Muslim-majority territory, acceded to India by a Hindu ruler CANNOT be given back to Pakistan. Pakistan demanded for a similar type of plebiscite in Kashmir area.
When Pakistani troops invaded the Kashmir territory, Raja of Kashmir took Nehru's help. Patel was not allowed to deal with this issue as Kashmir is Nehru's native place. Instead of forcefully integrating Kashmir, Nehru took the issue to UNO, making it an international dispute. UN has asked both the nations to maintain a 'status quo' i.e., asking both the nations to continue the same state till the issue is resolved.
Thus, the Kashmir issue is still an issue for both the nations.
Statistics of Junagadh:
- Junagadh is in Indian mainland, but is easily accessible to Pakistan via sea route.
- Junagadh is ruled by a Muslim Nawab.
- 99% of population of Junagadh is Hindu.
The Nawab of Junagadh, Mohammad Mahabat Khanji III, decided that Junagadh should become part of Pakistan. He acceded Junagadh to Pakistan on 15 September 1947, against the advice of Lord Mountbatten. After one month, Pakistan accepted the Nawab's Instrument of Accession on 16 September, 1947.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel believed that if Junagadh was permitted to go to Pakistan, it would result in the communal tensions in Gujarat. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel asked Pakistan to reverse its acceptance of the accession and to hold a plebiscite in Junagadh. Patel ordered the forcible annexation of Junagadh. Junagadh's state government, lacking army forces to resist the Indian force, invited the Government of India to take control.
A plebiscite was held on 20 February 1948, in which only 91 out of 190,870 voted against the Indian union, ie. 99% of the population voted to join India.
Statistics of Kashmir:
- Kashmir is also in Indian mainland, and has accessibility to Pakistan.
- Kashmir is ruled by a Hindu Raja.
- 90% of population of Kashmir is Muslim.
Pakistan argument:
When Pakistani troops invaded the Kashmir territory, Raja of Kashmir took Nehru's help. Patel was not allowed to deal with this issue as Kashmir is Nehru's native place. Instead of forcefully integrating Kashmir, Nehru took the issue to UNO, making it an international dispute. UN has asked both the nations to maintain a 'status quo' i.e., asking both the nations to continue the same state till the issue is resolved.
Thus, the Kashmir issue is still an issue for both the nations.
nice post badri.. :)
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