JK PANORAMA OCTOBER ISSUE E-MAGAZINE

Story of Accession- I
Maharaja Hari Singh agrees to the accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India
Dr Tej K Tikoo
ith the passing of Indian Independence
(Independence) Act 1947, all the
States were released from their Wobligations to the Crown. They became free to
align their future with either of two Dominions.
Prime Minister, Clement Atlee, speaking on India
Independence Bill, hoped that no irrevocable
decision to stay out prematurely will be taken.
Accordingly, State Department of
Negotiations held on Cabinet Mission proposal of Government of India was set up on June 27, 1947,
1946, and the transfer of power and Independence to deal with matters concerning states. It was
Act 1947, made it evident that if Indian states divided into two sections; the Indian section was
became separate independent entities, it would headed by Congress leader, Sardar Patel, and the
create a serious problem between the Central Pakistani section by a Muslim League leader,
Government and the States; this would adversely Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar. Sardar Patel issued an
affect not only political but also economic and agenda for the conference of rulers of princely
other relations between the two. Taking into states to be held on July 25, 1947. It included,
consideration these problems, Heartley firstly; accession of the states on defence, external
Showcross, the Under Secretary of States for affairs and communications, and secondly;
India, in a speech, emphatically maintained that Standstill Agreement. The two sections of the
the British Government would not recognise any State Department were also tasked with laying
state as a separate international entity, and British down the provisions/procedures for the accession
23
October 2017
JK