In early 1947, the British understood that it was untenable for them to continue ruling over vast Indian subcontinent that was a “jewel in the crown”. They knew that any prolonged stay in the country teeming with hostile natives was extremely unsafe. Of course, being butchered to pieces here, there and everywhere in the countryside was a real threat they faced.
Simultaneously, events had created situations in which the huge country was to be divided into two parts, the Dominion of India and the Dominion of Pakistan. It was one parting shot and deep wound they inflicted on this land and its people.
At that time, there were hundreds of Princely States in what was India then. Some areas were directly ruled by the British and they wielded considerable influence on others.
Instrument of Accession (IoA) was a standard document that was devised for transfer of power. The RULERS of the then Princely States had to sign this legal instrument for joining either the Dominion of India, or Pakistan.
In which school of thought (as opposed to a school of education) people who peddle false narratives about Sheikh Abdullah’s role in it have been educated? They have “learned” to falsify all history shamelessly. Brazenly. Without batting an eyelid. Doing that consistently too!
Let us talk of Abdullah “political dynasty” the foundation of which was first laid by Maharaja Hari Singh on March 5, 1948, when he made Sheikh the “Interim Administrator” of J&K. Yes, Sheikh was an appointee of the sovereign and drew all his legal powers from this order.
Check recent history of J&K from January 1947 to May 2020 please. In case you have some doubts.
Sheikh was given unceremonious marching orders on August 9, 1953, by another royal, Sadr-e-Riyasat Karan Singh, at the behest of and with the consent of Nehru. Incidentally, it was Nehru who had forced Maharaja Hari Singh’s hand in March 1948. These orders remain in force and operating “practically” till 1975.
Farooq Abdullah became the head of Sheikh’s dynasty on September 8, 1982. The next in line is Omar Abdullah.
Now talk of the Dogra dynasty founded by Gulab Singh in March 1846. Between March 1846 and March 1948, the time of emergence of Sheikh’s dynasty, there’s a gap of 102 years.
Maharaja Hari Singh drew strength and powers of the legal foundations from something that could be traced back to March 1846, events that unfolded over 101 years. He alone was the AUTHORISED person to sign the Instrument of Accession for J&K. Nobody else had an ounce of legal position to decide about that.
Sheikh Saheb had not inherited J&K from his filial elders’ places like Gilgit-Baltistan, Mirpur, Muzaffarabad, Palandri, Minsar, and several other places which were a part of J&K in July 1947. Let us not talk about moral standing and all that, and stick to facts, just the legal facts.
All these areas were consolidated into one kingdom of J&K by the Dogra rulers. The foundation for Gulab Singh’s kingdom was laid by Maharaja Ranjit Singh on the banks of Jia Pota in Akhnoor two decades before 1846!
Maharaja Hari Singh had this right of signing the Instrument of Accession because of events going back to March 1846. Even earlier!
Only those who peddle falsehoods talk of Sheikh’s role in signing the Instrument of Accession! How could he play any role in an entirely legal process on October 26, 1947, when he became an “Interim Administrator” only on March 5, 1948?
Goebbels is the inspiration of this school of falsehoods. It is just like the “facts” taught in Pakistan society regarding the foundation of Pakistan laid in 712 AD. They can jump from August 14, 1947, to events associated with Raja Dahir of Sindh dating back to 712! It is a leap of faith for them. A leap of falsehood of historical facts of 1200 years!
So why can’t Pakistani fake narrative peddlers take factual liberties with events of October 26, 1947? Predate Sheikh’s rise in power in (by then a truncated J&K) from March 5, 1948, by at least five months. And therefore start preaching that it was Sheikh’s dynasty founded on March 5, 1948 that signed the Instrument of Accession of J&K on October 26, 1947!!