| Contrary
to claims made by Kashmiri secessionists and their sympathizers, there
is no legal ambiguity about the accession of Jammu and Kashmir state to
India. At the time of independence from Britain in 1947, the more than
500 principalities that formed the Indian dominion had the option to join
India or the newly formed Pakistan, or declare themselves an independent
state. The principality of Jammu and Kashmir was invaded by Pakistan to
force its king Maharaja Hari Singh to join Pakistan. In face of the open
aggression the king decided to accede to India. This accession was supported
and ratified by Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah the leader of National Conference,
the largest political in the state which had mobilized the masses against
the autocratic rule of the king. As part of the agreement of Jammu and
Kashmir's entry into the Indian Union, a special status was given to the
state which was enshrined in the Article 370 of the Indian Constitution.
A list of documents that provide further details is given below.
Documents from: KASHMIR
Mohan Krishen
Teng
Light & Life Publishers, 1977 |
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