by Zahra Batool
On July 19, 1947, at the residence of Sardar Ibrahim Khan in Srinagar, the genuine leadership of Kashmir unanimously passed the resolution for Kashmir’s accession to Pakistan. This historic decision was made from the platform of the ‘All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference,’ which called for Jammu and Kashmir to merge with Pakistan. This resolution was based on several factors, including the geographical conditions, the 80 percent Muslim population, the passage of important rivers of Punjab through the state, as well as linguistic, cultural, ethnic, and economic relations, and the contiguity of the state with Pakistan.
The resolution stated: “The convention of Muslim conference has reached the conclusion that geographical conditions, 80 percent Muslim population, important rivers of Punjab passing through the state, language, cultural, ethnic and economic relations and contiguity of the state with Pakistan make it imperative to merge with Pakistan”.
As the British decided to leave the Indian subcontinent, they aimed to divide it based on population affinity and geographical contiguity. The Muslim majority of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) wanted to accede to Pakistan. However, the Hindu Maharaja of J&K, Hari Singh, announced his decision to keep the state independent, contrary to the popular sentiment of the people, driven by his self-serving aspirations.
In response to Maharaja’s announcement, the people of IIOJK revolted. The Maharaja then sought India’s help, leading to the landing of Indian forces on October 27, 1947, under the pretext of a so-called Accession Deal. Volunteers from Pakistan also moved to Kashmir to protect their Muslim brethren from the Indian occupational forces, resulting in parts of the Kashmir region, known today as Azad Jammu & Kashmir, being liberated.
Following the escalation of conflict, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) passed several resolutions, including resolutions 47, 51, 80, 96, 98, 122, and 126, which stipulated that the final disposition of the state of J&K would be made in accordance with the will of the people expressed through a free and impartial plebiscite conducted under the auspices of the UN. Despite these international commitments, India’s then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s promises of a referendum to allow Kashmiris to decide their fate were buried and replaced by the narrative that “Kashmir is an integral part of India.”
This narrative has been entirely rejected by the Kashmiri people, who remain steadfast in their commitment to the Accession Resolution of 1947, which linked their future with Pakistan. The Kashmiri people never accepted India’s illegal occupation and initiated a liberation movement. Facing the potential defeat of its forces, India approached the UNSC, seeking the World Body’s intervention.
India initially promised before the UN to resolve the dispute by providing Kashmiris their basic right of self-determination but later reneged on its commitments. The ongoing state terrorism by India in IIOJK over the past seven decades and the recent wave of Hindu extremism under the Modi government have only reinforced the justification for Kashmir’s decision to accede to Pakistan.
The situation in IIOJK took a drastic turn on August 5, 2019, when the Modi government unilaterally revoked Article 370 and 35A of the Indian Constitution, stripping the region of its special autonomy. This move was aimed at altering the demographic composition of the region to dilute the Muslim majority and redraw the electoral map to politically marginalize the Kashmiri Muslims.
These actions were in direct violation of the UNSC resolutions and further cemented the resolve of the Kashmiri people to continue their struggle for freedom. The worst kind of state terrorism, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions, and a systematic crackdown on political and civil rights, has only strengthened the Kashmiris’ determination to achieve their goal of accession to Pakistan.
The Indian state has employed various draconian measures to stifle dissent and silence the voices of the Kashmiri people. The gagging of media in Kashmir is a blatant violation of the freedom of the press. Journalists face harassment, threats, and arbitrary detentions, making it extremely difficult for them to report on the ground realities. Internet services are frequently suspended, sometimes for extended periods, cutting off Kashmiris from the rest of the world and hampering their ability to communicate and access information. These blackouts have severe repercussions on the daily lives of the people, affecting education, healthcare, and economic activities.
The use of pellet guns by Indian security forces has added another horrific chapter to the oppression faced by Kashmiris. These so-called non-lethal weapons have caused widespread injuries, with many young Kashmiris suffering permanent blindness and other severe disabilities. The indiscriminate firing of pellet guns during protests and demonstrations has targeted even bystanders, including children. This has created a climate of fear and trauma, with entire communities bearing the physical and psychological scars of such brutal tactics.
The 1947 Accession Resolution remains valid today, as it continues to reflect the spiritual, social, political, and cultural links between Kashmir and Pakistan. The famous slogan of the legendary Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Gilani, “Hum Pakistani Hein, Pakistan Hamara Hey” (We are Pakistanis, Pakistan is ours), truly represents the aspirations of the Kashmiris in IIOJK. Despite the ongoing oppression and attempts to alter the region’s demographics, the Kashmiri people have not wavered in their resolve to join Pakistan.
Every year on July 19th, Kashmiris living on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) and across the world observe “Kashmir’s Accession to Pakistan Day.” This day is marked by renewed pledges to fight for Kashmir’s freedom from Indian occupation. The observance of this day serves as a reminder of the historic decision made in 1947 and the continued commitment of the Kashmiri people to their struggle for self-determination and accession to Pakistan.
The resolve of the Kashmiri people and their leadership to become part of Pakistan is unwavering. Their commitment to their indigenous freedom struggle against the oppressive Indian state is deeply rooted in their historical, cultural, and social context. The observance of July 19th as “Kashmir’s Accession to Pakistan Day” is a testament to their enduring pledge to continue their struggle until IIOJK becomes part of Pakistan. Despite the challenges and the ongoing oppression, the Kashmiri people’s determination to achieve their rightful place as part of Pakistan remains strong and resolute. The legacy of the 1947 Accession Resolution continues to inspire and guide their struggle for freedom and justice.