It was the 24th of March 1952. Section 50 of the Kashmir Security Act had already been enforced in Jammu and the armed forces and the police force were cautioned to implement it strictly. Amidst the impenetrable security, the proceedings of the State assembly began in Jammu. The proceedings went on only for thirty-five minutes and within the little over half-hour-long proceedings, a major indication was given.

The Revenue minister Mirza Mohammad Afzal Baig declared, ” The state of Jammu-Kashmir would remain an autonomous republic in the Bharatiya Union. We will form the constitution in such a manner that our state will remain a sovereign self-government unit, within the Bharatiya Union. This republic would be similar to any other republic. As per our design, there would be our own prime minister, a separate legislature, and a judiciary.”

Afzal Baig, in  Regent Karna Sinh’s words, was playing the role of Akbar’s Todarmal for Shaikh Abdullah. He had just thrown light on the future path, that Shaikh was planning to carve out for Jammu & Kashmir. Within Six days of Afzal Baig’s narrative, Shaikh announced in no unclear words, ” The Constituent Assembly of the princely state, is cent percent sovereign republic. It would not be under the jurisdiction of any parliamentarian from other states.”

This statement created havoc across the nation. Slowly, Shaikh Abdullah and National Conference were unveiling their game plan. The immediate reaction to such a blatant opinion of Shaikh was difficult to swallow for Congress leaders and before they could absorb and convince themselves that this was the real blueprint for what was more to follow, Shaikh Abdullah held another verbal attack, within ten days, in Ranveer Singh Pura, a town situated in Jammu near the Pakistan border.

Ranveer Singh Pura has been situated thirty-five kilometers away from Jammu and only ten miles away from the Bharat – Pakistan border. In the pre-independence period, before partition, Jammu’s contact with the rest of the nation was connected via Sialkot on this route. National Conference held a public meeting in Ranveer Singh Pura on the 10th of April. He deliberately addressed the meeting from this venue to demonstrate a message and create an atmosphere , of addressing both the nations, Bharat and Pakistan. 

He openly stated that Kashmir would work as a bridge between Bharat and Pakistan. He added that Kashmir’s annexation with Bharat is conditional and finite, in nature as communalism has not ended in Bharat. Kashmir must be granted a special status. Those who express that the entire Bharatiya Constitution, should be implemented in Kashmir, were doing impractical, childlike, and foolish escapades. 

He also narrated that they could execute the full Bharatiya constitution if they were assured that communalism had been totally demolished in Bharat. He also mentioned that several Kashmiris often shared their apprehensions about their well-being,  if anything would happen to Jawaharlal Nehru.

Shaikh Abdullah depicted that they were pragmatic and appealed to be prepared for whatever circumstances and thus, he criticized those, who spoke about devastating the distinguished identity of Kashmir. Shaikh pointed his guns towards the media too, and condemned the Bharatiya media and a few of the Kashmiri media, for criticizing their demand for special status.

He added that if these journalists feel that they are helping Bharat or Kashmir, by doing so, then they were under a massive misconception. In fact, they were dismantling the ties between Bharat and Pakistan. At last, Shaikh Abdullah came down to rebuking and intimidating. He said, ” National Conference did not wish to keep anyone under the deceptive illusion. I have clearly depicted my stance on our political, economic, or Constitutional autonomy as well as on the future of the princely state’s dynasty, I have always put forward my  viewpoint in no uncertain terms.” 

He further added that Shaikh Abdullah did not fear anybody in the world. He would not bow down to Bharat or Pakistan, United States or any other country.” And in the end, he initiated sloganeering of “Jawaharlal Nehru Zindabaad”. Evidently, the slogan of “Nehru Zindabaad” was used as a shield.  The address of Shaikh Abdullah at Ranveer Singh Pura unfolded his well-hidden agenda and finely preserved conviction regarding Kashmir’s amalgamation in Bharat.

It bewildered all and even the ones who were in general, supported Nehru-Shaikh’s Kashmir policy, like English Daily, “Tribune” lamented such maneuver in their editorial. It pointed out, ” Last week Gopalswami Aiyangar visited Jammu. He had wished that the new constitution should be designed in accordance with the tradition, heredity, and stateliness of this state. He had also been apprised to keep away from the religious state’s hypothesis and cheap sloganeering. But, Shaikh’s address indicates that everything was not proceeding as per the expectations of Aiyanger. It appears difficult to estimate why Shaikh Abdullah had a turnaround, without being instigated.”

Actually, Shaikh wanted to create pressure on Pandit Nehru and get his affirmative nod for obligated accession. This was 1952 and the prevailing situation was not as conducive for Shaikh’s wilfulness as was in 1948. In those days, National Conference was the only political party in Kashmir. Now, in Jammu, Praja Parishad was equally widespread with a strong base and hence, even if Pandit Nehru wished, Shaikh’s arbitrariness could not prevail.

Another salient reason for Shaikh Abdullah’s resentment was related to economic issues. The financial experts were of the opinion that it was essential that  Kashmir becomes an integral part of Bharat, to fulfill its economic needs. Since 1950, Gopalswami Aiyangar was insisting on complete integration and bringing it under the jurisdiction of the Accountant General of Bharat.

For the last five years, Shaikh Abdullah abstained from acceding to it but now, in the changed scenario, he no longer could solely take the decision, without protest from the Praja Parishad. This enraged him and in reaction to the furiousness, his cards were opened at Ranveer Singh Pura. In 1952, after nearly five years of independence, not just Praja Parishad but also the Jammu Chamber of Commerce had a similar view.

In the opinion of Girdharilal Anand, the president of the Jammu Chamber of Commerce, “If We wish to modify and restore the financial condition of the state, it is vital and indispensable to promote economic accession with Bharat.” He insisted on abolishing the Border permit fee immediately, as the rates increase by Fifty percent, for the products transported from the rest of Bharat.

He remonstrated against the statement of Revenue minister Afzal Baig that the “State would be an autonomous republic within the Union of Bharat”. He disagreed and said that the State was incapable of shouldering the economic responsibility of an autonomous republic and added that the state can not keep its financial independence for a longer period as it has taken massive borrowings from the Government of Bharat.

Now, Shaikh Abdullah was waiting for Pandit Nehru’s reaction to his verbal attack on Ranveer Singh Pura. Shaikh Abdullah’s address was loud and clear, disclosing his agenda and objectives. Even after such a detrimental revelation, Pandit Nehru remained in denial mode. All he uttered, was a dislike for the tone Shaikh used!!!  He defended Shaikh for his erroneous stand and pointed out the blame towards Praja Parishad!!!

Pandit Nehru condemned Praja Parishad for the cynicism and bitterness in Shaikh’s words and stated that Parishad is wanting to divide the Kashmiris. He also opined that Jammu-Kashmir’s annexation with Bharat, is the disavowal of the two-nation theory propagated by the Muslim League and Kashmir has caused enormous pain to Pakistan. He added that we should understand Shaikh’s difficulties as he was endeavoring to keep Hindus, Muslims, and Buddhists together. Praja Parishad was obstructing his attempts. Thus, it was necessary to convey Praja Parishad, in ‘crystal clear’ words and Shaikh Abdullah had just done that!!!”

He was ‘regretful’ that others have been taking,  flawed meaning out of it. Shaikh Abdullah had very well understood by now, that Pandit Nehru would do anything to ‘keep him happy’ and he could win any battle, by initiating sloganeering of “Nehru Zindabaad” thrice.

Immediately within two days of Shaikh Abdullah’s public meeting and admonition at Ranveer Singh Pura, Praja Parishad’s president Pandit Premnath Dogra announced a pledge, once again. “I and my party Praja Parishad would like to announce in luminous and conspicuous words, that the  Princely state’s complete accession with Bharat is accomplished. If this complete accession would be constricted, we are prepared to sacrifice, in any form, in protest. Hearing the address by Shaikh Abdullah and Mirza Afzal Baig, that state of Jammu & Kashmir is autonomous and Princely Constitutional Assembly, selected by the National Conference, is a sovereign republic, has caused all, immense disappointment. His address has been definitely anti-national but also a challenge to Bharat, who has protected the people of this state, from starvation as well as an enemy named Pakistan.”

This drastic conduct created an atmosphere of bedlam, in the state. Praja Parishad was of the opinion, to interact and to confine with other political outfits across the nation and take them in the confidence regarding prevailing conditions. They had formed a separate section in the Parishad, for communication.

Parishad had been battling, since its inception, against the stepmotherly treatment referred towards Jammu and Ladakh. People of Ladakh also shared the sentiments that once again, they had become enslaved. The major obstacle was the conduct of Shaikh. He was not democratically elected governing head and he had obtained power, due to unforeseen circumstances. He had gained power, in order to obliterate the princely legacy of the Dogra kings but in exchange, he bolstered Shaikh’s legacy. 

Unfortunately, this reality had not been manifested outside the state and a larger section of the people across the nation were unaware of the atrocities of the National Conference. The state government had opened Kashmir Information Bureau in Delhi but their solo indulgence was in creating larger than life image of Shaikh Abdullah!!!

Shaikh’s most massive image-enhancing work was being done by Pandit Nehru. Under his parasol, Shaikh Abdullah’s stature gained colossal magnitude. Henceforth, to apprise about their side of the saga,  Pandit Premnath Dogra decided to meet the opposition leader and the Minister of Industry in Pandit Nehru’s Government – Shyamaprasad Mukherjee, in May 1952 at Delhi and presented the reality as well as the acrobatics by Shaikh Abdullah.

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