The Jammu and Kashmir accession and aftermath

Evidently, the British Rule over India encompassed two separate geographical regions before the Partition in 1947. One comprised of various provinces administered by the Viceroy of India. The other included provinces ruled by Maharajas, Princes, Nawabs also known as Princely States. All of these were collectively designated as "Indian States”. The State of J&K was one of them. On 25/7/1947 Mountbatten advised the Princes that they should accede to one of the two dominions, keeping in mind the ‘geographical adjacency of their States’.
 
After the independence of India, the Maharaja Hari Singh of Jammu and Kashmir proposed a Standstill Agreement dated August 12, 1947 with India and Pakistan on matters pending his final decision regarding the future of the State. The Pakistan Government started putting pressure on the Maharaja to join Pakistan. The intention of Pakistan had been to instil fear into the Kashmiris so they would surrender quickly. 

In October, 1947, around 5,000 Pathan tribesmen invaded the State, on the night of October 21-22  looting, killing and raping along the way. Maharaja Hari Singh wanted the Indian Army to drive out the invaders for which he needed to sign the Instrument of Accession. He did this on October 26, 1947 which was accepted the very next day by India’s Governor General Mountbatten. 

In the early hours of October 27, 1947, an operation began that had never occurred in the history of warfare before. The process of retreat by the enemy on all fronts began. Thereafter, the Maharaja issued an Order on October 30, 1947 appointing Sheikh Abdullah as the head of the Emergency Administration. On the basis of this accession, India claims ownership of the entire state which includes the approximately one-third of the territory currently administered by Pakistan. 

Generations have changed but the effects of J&K accession of India can still be felt. India and Pakistan have fought three wars since 1947. Even after both countries became nuclear powers in 1998, they came close to war once again in 1999. The recent tensions are perhaps the worst in a decade.

After 71 years of Independence, the repercussions of this accession are still alive which keep rocking always. Although, J&K’s accession meant for the better future of the citizens, the first medium- and long-term accession effects have become evident: a state having full potential of tourism lacks economic growth, shows increasing unemployment graphs, human rights violation, poverty and lack of education and above all it faces terrorism. All terrorist acts involve violence or the threat of violence. 

No big industries are ready to do business in the valley. Besides that, loss of lives of army men and local innocent population occurs every year. Instead of earning big revenue for the State, the existing terror has deprived the people of the State of the development process in the 21st century. 

Although, the slow economic growth of the state of J&K can be attributed to various factors, the activities of armed militancy in Kashmir during the past few decades have been a major factor. Low productivity in agriculture and allied sectors has impeded employment and income generation. Poor industrial infrastructure along with the poor investment climate has left the industrial sector in its infant stage. 

There has not been a suitable strategy for the potential sectors to achieve higher economic growth. Lack of good governance and sound fiscal management has also been responsible for the poor economic growth of the state. 

One of the most talked about unfair consequence of accession is Article 35A which has deprived the women of Jammu and Kashmir of their equality rights enshrined in the Constitution of India.

(Neeru Mishra - The author is an advocate from Jammu & Kashmir)