6 Sheikh Abdullah’s pursuit of independence for ‘Kashmir’, post-1953
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Christopher Snedden
Abstract
This chapter discusses Sheikh Abdullah and his attitudes to independence, autonomy or self-determination for J&K between 1953 and 1982. After the Head of the State dismissed him from office in 1953, Abdullah was denied the opportunity to confirm his majority in the Constituent Assembly. Instead, he was detained. With him sidelined, other Kashmiris came to the fore, enabling New Delhi to slowly tie J&K into the Indian Union. In 1957, the new J&K Constitution reiterated that J&K was with India. In 1964, Abdullah was finally released, after which he reconciled with Nehru then visited Pakistan seeking agreement on the Kashmir dispute. Tragically, Nehru died while Abdullah was away. During brief periods of release, and certainly after his final release in 1968, Abdullah would talk of self-determination, or sometimes autonomy or independence, for J&K-ites via the Plebiscite Front, a political party. He also sought a solution to the Kashmir issue via two important People’s Conventions in 1968 and 1970. A major turning point occurred when India conclusively defeated Pakistan in their 1971 war and Bangladesh was created. This confirmed that Islam was not a monolith, that Pakistan could not liberate J&K, and that Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was politically unassailable. These factors greatly moderated Abdullah’s aspirations for J&K’s international status. In 1975, he agreed the Kashmir Accord with Gandhi, which enabled him to return to power in J&K. However, he had to accept unequivocally that J&K was an integral part of India. Abdullah died in office in 1982.
Abstract
This chapter discusses Sheikh Abdullah and his attitudes to independence, autonomy or self-determination for J&K between 1953 and 1982. After the Head of the State dismissed him from office in 1953, Abdullah was denied the opportunity to confirm his majority in the Constituent Assembly. Instead, he was detained. With him sidelined, other Kashmiris came to the fore, enabling New Delhi to slowly tie J&K into the Indian Union. In 1957, the new J&K Constitution reiterated that J&K was with India. In 1964, Abdullah was finally released, after which he reconciled with Nehru then visited Pakistan seeking agreement on the Kashmir dispute. Tragically, Nehru died while Abdullah was away. During brief periods of release, and certainly after his final release in 1968, Abdullah would talk of self-determination, or sometimes autonomy or independence, for J&K-ites via the Plebiscite Front, a political party. He also sought a solution to the Kashmir issue via two important People’s Conventions in 1968 and 1970. A major turning point occurred when India conclusively defeated Pakistan in their 1971 war and Bangladesh was created. This confirmed that Islam was not a monolith, that Pakistan could not liberate J&K, and that Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was politically unassailable. These factors greatly moderated Abdullah’s aspirations for J&K’s international status. In 1975, he agreed the Kashmir Accord with Gandhi, which enabled him to return to power in J&K. However, he had to accept unequivocally that J&K was an integral part of India. Abdullah died in office in 1982.
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Dedication v
- Contents vii
- List of tables viii
- Acknowledgements ix
- List of abbreviations xi
- Glossary xii
- Maps xiii
- Introduction 1
- 1 Decolonisation and the departure of the British from India 10
- 2 Maharaja Hari Singh and his accession issue 44
- 3 The significance of Kashmir and Kashmiri identity in J&K 93
- 4 The rise of Kashmiri aspirations, 1924–47 137
- 5 Sheikh Abdullah’s pursuit of independence for ‘Kashmir’, 1946–53 186
- 6 Sheikh Abdullah’s pursuit of independence for ‘Kashmir’, post-1953 230
- 7 Kashmiris and independence since 1988 266
- Conclusion 311
- Appendix I 322
- Appendix II 325
- Appendix III 331
- Notes 340
- Bibliography 417
- Index 435
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Dedication v
- Contents vii
- List of tables viii
- Acknowledgements ix
- List of abbreviations xi
- Glossary xii
- Maps xiii
- Introduction 1
- 1 Decolonisation and the departure of the British from India 10
- 2 Maharaja Hari Singh and his accession issue 44
- 3 The significance of Kashmir and Kashmiri identity in J&K 93
- 4 The rise of Kashmiri aspirations, 1924–47 137
- 5 Sheikh Abdullah’s pursuit of independence for ‘Kashmir’, 1946–53 186
- 6 Sheikh Abdullah’s pursuit of independence for ‘Kashmir’, post-1953 230
- 7 Kashmiris and independence since 1988 266
- Conclusion 311
- Appendix I 322
- Appendix II 325
- Appendix III 331
- Notes 340
- Bibliography 417
- Index 435
