The Young Chronicle: For 4th Graders November 28th, 2014 | Page 4

YOUNG CHRONICLE

November 28th, 2014

The Kashmir Polls and What the Hullabaloo is all about
Rambo and Pranks know that Kashmir has been a battleground for years. But theyʼve always wondered why! Why are the Indian
and Pakistani PMs always at a tiff, and why is there such a hue and cry over the high voter turnout during the first phase of the
poll? They had so many questions, so they decided to open the History books they were gifted by their father, along with a map of
Kashmir.
Flash Back to 1947: Ruler Hari Singh was the reigning king for about 22 years in 1947 when India gained independence. Around
that time, an internal revolt began in the Poonch region (encircled in Red) against oppressive taxation by the Maharaja. Here it is
important to note that a Sikh king was ruling a largely Muslim Population and Sikhism is known to be closer to Hinduism. In August,
there were demonstrations in favour of Kashmir joining Pakistan, which were opposed by the Maharaja's forces, leading to the
burning of whole villages and massacre of innocent people. The
Poonch rebels thereafter, declared an independent government of
"Azad" Kashmir (encircled in Black) on 24 October.
During independence, Rulers of Princely States were encouraged
to accede their States to either Dominion - India or Pakistan, taking
into account factors such as geographical continuity and the wishes
of their people. In 1947, Kashmir's population was "77% Muslim
and 20% Hindu". To postpone making a hurried decision, the
Maharaja signed a "standstill" agreement with Pakistan. The
agreement ensured continuity of trade, travel, communication, and
similar services between the two. Such an agreement was pending
with India. In October 1947, Pashtuns from Pakistan's North-West
Frontier Province recruited by the Poonch rebels, invaded Kashmir,
along with the Poonch rebels because they had heard of atrocities
against fellow Muslims in Poonch and Jammu.
The rebels engaged in looting and killing along the way. The aim of the guerrilla campaign was to frighten Hari Singh into
submission to Pakistan. Instead the Maharaja appealed to Lord Mountbatten for assistance, and the Governor-General of the
British (who were still in the process of leaving) agreed to help, on the condition that the ruler accedes to India. Once the Maharaja
signed the Instrument of Accession, Indian soldiers entered Kashmir and drove the Pakistani-sponsored irregulars from all but a
small section of the state. India accepted the accession, while reassuring the people that the accession was provisional. India
assured the Kashmiris that a poll would be held as soon as the conditions in Kashmir were calmed (without any terror or rebellion
or the presence of the Pakistani Army), ascertaining whether the disputed territory will be part of India or Pakistan.
Kashmir leader Sheikh Abdullah endorsed the accession as ad-hoc that would be ultimately decided by a vote, and was appointed
as the head of the emergency administration. The Pakistani government immediately contested the accession, suggesting that it
was fraudulent, and that the Maharaja had acted under duress and that he had no right to sign an agreement with India when the
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standstill agreement with Pakistan was still in force.
Read More about the Kashmir issue on page 5

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