‘Hari Singh exiled on Sheikh Abdullah’s insistence’
Accepting Art 370’s revocation only option
Tarun Upadhyay
Jammu, Mar 11: Former Sadr-e-Riyasat of Jammu and Kashmir and ex MP Dr Karan Singh has said revocation of Art 370 is a reality and one doesn’t have any other option but to come to terms with it. He said he hopes and believes Prime Minister Narendra Modi will do “right” things for the J&K.
Dr Karan, considered authority on Hinduism, said this in an interview with The Print. On being asked about revocation of Art 370, he said: “When Parliament has revoked it you have to come to terms with it. You don’t have an option more or less.” However, he added that if the decision will be beneficial in long run remains to be seen.
Dr Singh said he though believes the decision to revoke Art 370 could have been taken in a different manner with some consultations
“It was a drastic decision and done, don’t want to use word cruel.. but it was done.,. You should have gone for consultation ,” he said. On being asked that if this sudden clampdown was probably the only way out, Karan Singh said he agrees to it to an extent.
“Asaani se maana nahi tha unhone (They would have not agreed easily),” he said in the context of possible reaction in the Kashmir. Karan Singh said more than the Jammu it was the Kashmiri leadership which wanted continuation of the special position guaranteed in the Constitution.
Former Union Cabinet Minister also said that Kashmiri leadership which was dominating the erstwhile State of J&K was even interested in the autonomy.
Karan Singh, who had been regent of the erstwhile State of J&K said he believes that Statehood should be restored and political process must also begin. He said the Centre should also compensate for the financial losses J&K suffered on account of severe restrictions imposed when Art 370 was revoked on Aug 5, 2019.
“Political process should start, we need delimitation and proper Assembly in J&K and Statehood should be restored,” he said.
Singh said his father (Maharaja Hari Singh) and mother (Maharani Tara Devi) were exiled at the insistence of then Prime Minister of J&K late Sheikh Abdullah.
He said at that time concept of plebiscite was in the air and even “plebiscite administrator” had been appointed by the UN. “So who was going to win plebiscite for India, it was Sheikh and it’s the reasons he was able to call the shots,” said Karan.
He said his mother was going to refugee camps, set up at time of partition, and doing charitable work.
“Sheikh told Centre that he can’t win Plebiscite till the two-Hari Singh and Tara Devi- are there. The Govt agreed to it. Hari Singh was quite bitter about it,” said Karan.
He said he agreed to assume the office of Sadr-e-Riyasat on the insistence of then Prime Minister late Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru. He, though, said his father Hari Singh was not happy at this offer as Sheikh Abdullah had made a campaign against dynasty and made song and dance of it.
“For me to accept the post which Sheikh had created in Assembly commanded by him was not pleasant thing but I took the decision to come in public life,” said Karan Singh.
He said he was surprised at the outcome of Shimla Agreement and felt let down by the final accord. Singh said he believed Indira Gandhi let the then Pakistani Prime Minister late ZA Bhutoo off the hook .
“Indira Gandhi was entirely surrounded by Kashmiri Pandits. During the signing of Shimla Accord there were five Kashmiri Pandits with her- PN Haksar, DP Dhar, TN Koul, PN Dhar and RN Koul. I am sorry to say we lost at the table what we had won in the war. She (Indira) should have stuck a hard bargain, she must have been advised by Kashmiri Pandits, she didn’t take me there , though, I was also the Cabinet Minister, she took DP Dhar.”
“As an India national I believe when we defeated Pak, we should have got more. At that time it was this batch which surrounded and it was let down.”
Karan Singh got hugely offended when the interviewer addressed him as a Kashmiri. He retorted: “No I am not Kashmiri, never say that , I am Dogra, ethnic Dogra, and I am proud to be a Dogra. If you tell Irish men you are English he would say no I am Irish. The State is Jammu and Kashmir not Kashmir.”
Former Sadr-e-Riyasat said his version and understanding of Hinduism is different from the RSS’s belief, which he said was ‘exclusive”
“Hindusim should be inclusive.. Hinduism believes in openness and this is what RSS doesn’t believe. They (RSS) tend to be exclusive, though, they are patriotic people and do remarkable work, but their version of Hinduism is exclusive.. ultimately the glory of Hinduism is to open itself.”
Karan Singh , though, added he believes the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has made right noises off late.
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