PRAJA SABHA ELECTIONS-1946

On the national front, political developments were fast advancing to a show-down stage when the Muslim League turned down the proposal made by the Britisg Prime Minister to transfer power to the Indisns, until the demand for Pakistan was conceded.Lord Mountbatten replaced Lord Wavell as Victory and negotiated a settlement between the Indian National Congress and Muslim League for partition of sub-continent and the transfer of power to the two dominions-India and Pakistan. The partition plan envisaged the future disposition of the State, with regard to the dominions, in the hands of their rulers. There was, however, a group of rulers/princes who favoured independence.One among them was Maharaja Hari Singh, who under the influence of his Prime Minister and some British Officers wanted to maintain an independent status with cordial relations with both the dominions but India invited him to Delhi to work out the modalities while as Pakistan accepted the offer and assured the easy movement of supplies to the State through their territory.

The intervening period (Feb. 1947 to Oct 1947) was full of activities when emissaries were sent by Indian National Congress “ to persuade the Maharaja Hari Singh to adopt a policy of conciliation towards the National Conference” Acharya Kriplani during his visit to Kashmir in May 1947 met Begum Akbar Jehan, wife of Shiekh Mohammad Abdullah and discussed with her the political developments in the country and the States.

Then in August 1947, Ghandi Ji arrived in the valley and called upon Begum Shiekh Mohammad Abdullah and also held meeting with R.C.Kak and Maharaja Hari Singh and discussed with them the changed political scenario in the sub-continent, particularly in the background of the fact that demand for Pakistan has been conceded by Indian National Congress.Ghandi ji during the course of discussions with Maharaja Hari Singh made it clear to him that his interests would be safe if a compromise was arrived at between him and the National Conference.There was a dramatic change in the attitude of Maharaja Hari Singh when on August 10, 1947 A.D. he removed Ram Chandra Kak from his Office and on August 24,1947 A.D proclaimed general amnesty and withdrew warrants of arrest against the National Conference leaders. Shiekh Mohammad Abdullah was released on September 29, 1947 A.D. but he found the situation altogether changed as two dominions viz,India and Pakistan had come into existence(Pakistan August 14, 1947 A.D. and India August 15 1947 A.D). He found it difficult to compromise with the situation as the partition of the country on communal lines was against his cherished ideals. In public meeting at Hazuri Bagh, Srinagar he made it clear that freedom struggle was aimed at seeking freedom from autocratic rule and establishment of democratic institutions rather than merger of the States in one of the dominons. He further said that since the two dominions had come into existence,the people of Jammu and Kashmir will decide about the accession with either of the dominion, after seeking freedom from autocratic rule. He equally got disturbed to hear about clashes between Hindus and Muslims in various States of India, and avoid such kind of trouble in the Jammu and Kashmir State, he held public meetings at several places and impressed upon the people to maintain communal harmony at all costs. In order to maintain peace and tranquility in the State,”he organized the conference cadres in to a volunter corps which was named as Peace Brigade.” Both Indian National Congress and Muslim League sent their emissaries to Maharaja Hari Singh and Shiekh Mohammad Abdullah to persuade them to join either of the dominion. Even Maharaja Hari Singh was advised that delay in decision making will be detrimental to him and can create uncertainity in the State. On the advice of Muslim League two emissaries namely M.D. Taseer and Shiekh Sadiq Hussain, both having Kashmiri origin, came to Kashmir and held discussion with Shiekh Mohammad Abdullah without any reservation reminded them of his speech at Hazuri Bagh , Srinagar where he had announced that the decision about the accession of the State with either of the dominion will be taken after Kashmir is free from autrocratic rule. He was of the approach that the population of Jammu and Kashmir should not be taken a dump driven cattle and any decision taken about the accession should have there consent, so that their heads will be high with either the dominion. Muslim League leaders, in view of there past relations with National Conference, became a bit impatient,particulary in the event of Redcliff Award whereby the Gurdaspur District of Punjab went to India which afford a road link between India and Jammu and Kashmir State and used all efforts for the accession of State with Pakistan. Pakistan Government in violation of Standstill Agreement, created difficulties in the movement of vehicular Traffic through there territory resulting in acute shortage of essentials of life in Kashmir valley. Skirmishes were reported between tribals and Jammu and Kashmir Forces on the borders of the State touching Pakistan. On October 15, 1947, Mehr Chand Mahajan, the Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir State lodged a complaint to Prime Minister of England and alleged that Pakistan Government, in violation of Standstill Agreement, had stopped the supplies of essential commodities to the State and had cut the railway line from Sailkot to Jammu. Situation further deteriorated when on October 24, 1947 reports of an organized attack of tribals and Pakistan regular army, reached Srinagar. There were pitched battles in the State territory at Uri and its adjacent areas. Casualities were reported on both sides including that of Brigadier Rajinder Singh and his whole group of soldiers.

On the same day, the power house at Mohra was taken by tribals and the power supply to the valley was cut resulting in complete darkness.

On the evening of October 24, 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh sent a dispatch to Government of India asking them for military help to fight and drive out the tribals from State territory.On October 25, 1947, a meeting of Defence Committee was held at Delhi under the Chairmanship of Lord Mountbatten to consider the appeal of Maharja Hari Singh and it was decided that before arriving at a conclusion, V.P Menon would rush to the State and prepare a report on the ground realities for consideration of the appeal. Accordingly Mr.V.P.Menon reached to Srinagar in Indian Air Force Plane and held meetings with Maharaja Hari Singh and Mehr Chand Mahajan and collected information about the war front and functioning of the Government.Finding the situation very grim and out of control he advised Maharaja to leave the valley for Jammu along with his family members and himself flew to Delhi on October 26, 1947.

On reaching Delhi V.P.Menon straight way drove to the venue of Defence Committee and appraised the members of the fast detetiorating situation and pleaded for immediate military help to the Maharaja.Lord Mountbatten hesitated to accede to the request of Maharaja Hari Singh and argued that in absence of the accession of the State with Indian Union it will not be in the firness of things to send a military force to the State. On the same day V.P.Menon along with Mehr Chand Mahajan flew to Jammu and apprised the Maharaja Hari Singh of the decisions of the Defence Committee. Maharaja Hari Singh immediately responded and signed the accession document and sent the same along with a letter to the Defence Committee.Besides requesting for military help, Maharaja Hari Singh in the letter acknowledged the leadership of Shiekh Mohammad Abdullah and communicated his decision that the emergency Government will be formed under Shiekh Mohammad Abdullah to restore the civil administration in the State. The signed document of the accession was handed over to Lord Mountbatten, the Governor General of India, who accepted the accession of the State with Indian Union and ordered for dispatch of forces to help the Kashmir Government to drive out the tribals and the Pakistani Army personnel.