120 Whither Kashmir? (Part II) - Islamabad Policy Research Institute

Whither Kashmir?
• November 2, 1947: Kashmiris have a right to determine future:
Nehru: Indian Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, in a speech aired
on All-India Radio, reaffirmed the Indian Government's
commitment to the right of the Kashmiri people to determine their
own future through a plebiscite:
"We have declared that the fate of Kashmir is ultimately to be
decided by the people. That pledge we have given, and the
Maharajah has supported it, not only to the people of Jammu
and Kashmir, but also to the world. We will not and cannot back
out of it. We are prepared when peace and law have been
established to have a referendum held under international
auspices like the United Nations. We want it to be a fair and just
reference to the people and we shall accept their verdict."
The Government of India accepted the "Instrument of accession"
conditionally, promising the people of the state and the world at
large that "accession" would be final only after the wishes of the
people of the state were ascertained upon return of normalcy in the
state.
• January 1948: India brings Kashmir issue to UN Security Council:
India brought the issue to the United Nations Security Council in
January 1948. The rebel forces had been joined by volunteers from
Pakistan and India charged Pakistan with having sent "armed
raiders" into the state. It demanded that Pakistan be declared an
aggressor in Kashmir. Furthermore, India demanded that Pakistan
stop aiding Militants, and allowing the transit of tribesmen into the
state. After acceptance of these demands, coupled with the
assurance that all "raiders" were withdrawn, India would allow a
plebiscite to be held under impartial auspices to decide Kashmir's
future status. In reply, Pakistan charged India with maneuvering
the Maharajah's accession through "fraud and violence" and
colluding with a "discredited" ruler in the repression of his people.
Pakistan's counter complaint was also coupled with the proposal of
a plebiscite under the supervision and control of the United
Nations to settle the dispute.
• April 21, 1948: UN resolution envisages cease-fire, withdrawals:
The Security Council discussed the question from January until
April 1948. It came to the conclusion that it would be impossible to
determine responsibility for the fighting and futile to blame either
side. Since both parties desired that the question of accession should
83