The humiliation that Maharaja Hari Singh was forced to endure, symbolized the defeat of the entire Nationalist strength. The ‘victory’ of Shaikh Abdullah was the triumph of all anti-Bhartiya elements who stepped on Bharatiya soil in the Seventh Century, the unholy intention of converting Bharat into “Dar-Ul-Islam” using a sword or sweet poisoning through religious discourse.

Immediately after acquiring the power, Shaikh Abdullah threw aside the facade of pretentious patriotism. Yet, Pandit Nehru did not change his mind and continued living in Ostrich mode. His orientation toward the Muslim Vote Bank was another major factor, that led to Muslim appeasement.

Shaikh Abdullah, taking advantage of Nehru’s spineless conduct, did not leave a stone unturned in demoralizing the Bharatiya army.

After taking control over Srinagar, the Bharatiya army marched towards the rest of the Kashmir valley to save and take control in the region of Mirpur-Kotli-Bhimber but was stopped by Shaikh to proceed any further.

Consequently, Thousands of Hindu citizens in the area met with tragic death! 

The Commander of the Bharatiya army, General Paranjpe informed Pandit Nehru of these misdeeds of Shaikh, Nehru replied to him saying, “Do as Shaikh says!!!”

And,  “as Shaikh says…” resulted in callous disaster, and the area which was captured by Pakistani army disguised as raiders has till today remained under Pakistan’s occupation!

Pandit Nehru did not budge at all from his ‘devoted’ commitment’ towards Shaikh and gave him free hand and free will to administer Kashmir. Whether it was his affinity with Kashmiriyat or appeasement towards Muslims or some personal bonding with Shaikh, God only knows, but every wrong move taken in outright steadfastness, created deeper and deeper cracks over Bharat Mata’s forehead, Kashmir. 

When the Bharatiya army was marching to acquire back the entire valley, Pandit Nehru, as advised by Shaikh Abdullah, announced a one-sided standstill to the ongoing battle on January 1st!!!

Pained and wounded by Pandit Nehru’s boorish and unthoughtful conduct, Bharatiya “Agent General” on Kashmir, Chief Justice Kunwar Dilip Singh handed over his resignation.

Pandit Nehru did not hold back there and proceeded further to direct the Kashmir issue to the Security Council of the United Nations for Plebiscite, on ‘advice’ of Shaikh Abdullah. Such a massive step was taken without consulting our armed forces and entirely disregarding their opinion. This short-sighted conduct (what else should We call it?) has cost the nation, dearly.

Now, even after Seventy Five years, the matter has remained unsolved. 

Dwelling on these historical facts is an eye-opener for the coming generations. Our history has portrayed Shaikh as the savior of Kashmir, from the ‘clutches’ of the callous rule of Maharaja Hari Singh. Ironically, We, the generations born post-independence, have been devoid of the true knowledge of our own history. 

Shaikh Abdullah’s concern for Kashmir was restricted to the well-being of Kashmiri Muslims in the Valley. The security and integrity of Hindus of Jammu and Hindus as well as Muslims of Ladakh were not of any significance to him. 

These anti – Hindu conduct of Shaikh, agonized  Maharaja.

As narrated by Dr. Gaurinath Rastogi, “Forget Bharat, Shaikh Abdullah did not have any intention to safeguard even Jammu – Kashmir. His attention was hooked on saving Kashmir Valley and nothing else. The evidence of Gilgit, Kotli, Baltistan, Mirpur, Bhimbar, and Muzaffarabad would give testimony to this. 

On 27th October 1947, immediately after the accession of Kashmir to Bharat, the Bharatiya army landed on Kashmir soil in Srinagar by the air route. They freed the entire Kashmir valley within ten days, by November 7th. Now, they were to march ahead and free, the rest of the state. The armed forces of Gilgit and Governor Brigadier Dhansara Sinh as well as the people of Mirpur, Kotli, Bhimbar, and Muzzafarabad were literally begging to be freed from the Pakistani clutches. But, the Bharatiya army was stopped and prevented from going ahead!!!

The Commander of Jammu region Brigadier Paranjape, had presented the reason behind this cowardly and humiliating standstill to the Hindu leaders of the region: ” Shri Nehru had rested the complete command in hands of Shaikh Abdullah and without his orders, the army could not march ahead.”

Maharaja was extremely agitated and tormented by the conspiracy and fanaticism of Shaikh. He penned down a detailed letter to Sardar Patel. He wrote: “Two months have passed by and Bharat’s army is still in Uri. Jhangad, the main spot of Mirpur and Kotli is lost in the war. This defeat is very heartbreaking for us. It has also unfolded as an inimical slap on the sublimity and reputation of the Bharatiya army. To date, the Bharatiya army has not even captured back a single inch.

My condition regarding this matter is also censorious. You are well aware that I have stood by in support of the dominion of Bharat, with an expectation that the republic of Bharat, would not let us down. If the republic of Bharat, is unable to acquire back, our list of regions and will be willing to hand over the Princely state to Pakistan, under the decision of the Security Council in the future, then it is futile to keep the princely state integrated with Bharat. 

I am equipped to lead my own army and the Bharatiya army, as well. I am very well-versed with the country that Your Generals are unable to understand in months and years…”

This letter illustrates the exceptionally humiliating condition of Maharaja. The blow on his heart, while witnessing the ache and agony suffered by the Kashmiri population.

The Maharaja’s Prime Minister, Meharchand Mahajan too, penned a letter to Sardar Patel, informing him about the distress endured by Maharaja. He especially addressed, Shaikh using the word, “निरीह” (meek/innocent)  in sarcasm and encapsulated his Fascist administration.

He wrote in his letter: ” This ‘meek’ citizen, (Shaikh) who had extended an unequivocal promise of dedication to Maharaja of Kashmir, now wants to pursue a court case against him in Jan Adalat and demanded he should abdicate his kingdom!!!

His new narrative delineated, that Maharaja was only entitled to keep Jammu, Kathua, and Udhampur, with him and hand over the rest of the land of the princely state to Pakistan. He put in his best efforts to meet and convince Abbas, the leader of the Muslim Conference, who was in prison and take his approval and support.

“Truthfully, Shaikh Abdullah has been blatantly deprecating honorable Maharaja and has been constantly manifesting fanatic perspective. If You permit, I would like to present Shaikh’s administrative ‘capacity’, communal standpoint, and related issues to You. I am very keen to put before You, the extensive comprehension of the brazen condemnation of respected Maharaja by Shaikh Abdullah, with the help of Srinagar’s national guards. He has decided to believe that he has all the liberty to act as he wishes. As soon as I receive your reply, I shall send You the meticulous and exhaustive illustrations of corrupt governance and communal misrule of Shaikh.”

Both the letters, rather it should be called “the expression of anguish” from Maharaja HariSinh as well his Prime Minister Meharchand Mahajan. But, in Pandit Nehru’s eyes,  this was all hogwash and their traumatic heart-pondering was gibberish!!!  For Nehru, Maharaja Hari Singh, Maherchand Mahajan, Sardar Patel, Shyamaprasad Mukherjee, Acharya Kriplani, Pandit Premnath Dogra as well as many of the nationalist Muslims of Kashmir were foolish, unintelligent, and muddle-headed. And, Shaikh Abdullah was the only ‘patriotic’ and Kashmir’s custodian…!

Sources of Information :

हमारी भूलोका स्मारक : धर्मांतरित कश्मीर –  नरेन्द्र सहगल

कश्मीर : दहकते अंगारे – जगमोहन जी

जम्मू कश्मीर की अनकही कहानियां – कुलदीप चंद अग्निहोत्री

Kashmir: Behind The Vale: M J Akbar

My Frozen Turbulence in Kashmir Jagmohan ji