Hari Singh and Accession
Sir,
This refers to the Press
Conference by Th. Dewan Singh, one time Private Secretary
to the Last Dogra ruler Maharaja Hari Singh and a news
item ''Rajput Sabha expresses dismay over Karan Singh's
statement'' that appeared in your esteemed news paper
dated 2nd and 3rd Nov, 1999 respectively.
Maharaja Hari Singh was
the most liberal ruler of his time who brought many
reforms in the field of education, social and economic
for the betterment of his subjects. But the assertion of
Dr Karan Singh that at one time Maharaja Hari Singh
wanted to undo the accession with India and wanted to
join with Pakistan which has been criticised by Captain
Dewan Singh and Rajput Sabha seems to be correct. The
areas of the State being held by state forces even before
the arrival of Indian forces were intentionally left out
to be grabbed by the Pakistan. For instance the areas of
Mirpur District such as; Mangla, Alibegh Gurudawara and
the Town of Mirpur, the area adjoining Chhamb and
Noushera (This area was recovered later on). Again the
area of A-Skardu where Lt Col Sher Jang Thapa resisted
the Pakistani Forces for nearly six months before
surrendering in Aug 1948. No reinforcement was sent to
Thapa even after the gap of six months.
According to Maharaja the
reverses of the Indian troops were great blows to the
prestige of the Indian Army. A number of villages on the
border were looted, the women were abducted and men were
slaughtered and this resulted in a large influx of
refugees in the Jammu City. He was not only worried about
the military situation but also about the uncertainity
which was then pervailing in the State and every Hindu
and Sikh and those who were in the National Conference
were also feeling that they might be let down by Govt of
India by accepting the decision of the Security Council.
Maharaja was a mute spectator to such happenings. So, he
reminded Sardar Patel that he acceded to the Indian Union
with the idea that Union would not let them down and the
state would remain acceded to Indian union. But the
events those followed after the accession. This point can
be further supported by the following extract from his
book Sardar Patel's correspondences'' feeling comes to my
mind.......that I should withdraw the accession and if
Union could not recover territory and is going eventually
to agree to the decision of the Security Council which
result to handing us over to the Pakistan then there is
no point in sticking to the accession of the state to the
Indian Union. For the time being it may be possible to
have better terms from Pakistan, but it is immaterial
because eventually it would mean an end of the dynasty
and end of the Hindus and Sikhs in the State'. It was a
jolt to the Indian Union. Sardar Patel communicated these
views of the Maharaja to Pt. Nehru who asked Sardar Patel
to persuade Maharaja Hari Singh not to tread on this
dangerous idea. So Sardar Patel requested Maharaja Hari
Singh to abandon this dangerous idea and Maharaja Hari
Singh agreed to the suggestions of Sardar Patel and
Government of India was saved from the grim situation of
Kashmir. I would ask Captain Dewan Singh and others who
subscribe his views should consult Sardar Patel's
correspondence ed. by Durga Dass, one time editor of
the Hindustan Time. The book shown in the Press
Conference does not shed any light on this point.
Yours
etc...
Dr D C Sharma
216 A Shastri Nagar,
Jammu.
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