Sydney, 8 March, 2018
A few days ago, I received a message via Twitter that Australian Greens Senator, Lee Rhiannon, has recently made a statement in the Senate about Jammu & Kashmir. This rumor monger from the neighboring country was peddling the rumor about this so-called recent statement. I was surprised because there was no such recent news in Australia. After doing a research, I found out that Senator Lee Rhiannon made this statement on 23/11/16. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnGC3m6Dcxw
After watching the video, it became apparent that Senator Rhiannon wasn’t aware of full facts, and was grandstanding, which is quite typical for politicians.
Here is the background why Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) is an inalienable and integral part of India, and it will always remain so.
Let us revisit the facts of history for those who do not know the relevant history. J&K became an inalienable part of India on 25th October, 1947 when ruler (King) of J&K, Maharaja Hari Singh, signed the “Instrument of accession” with India. This Instrument was executed between India’s then Governor-General, Lord Louis Mountbatten, and Maharaja Hari Singh on 25th October, 1947.
At the time of Independence of India in 1947, rulers of Princely States and Kingdoms in India were entitled to choose one of the three options- join India, join Pakistan or remain independent. J&K joined India.
Here is the Link for more details.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jammu_and_Kashmir
American Professor Christine Fair’s exposure of the anti-India propaganda on this matter is worth watching.
Video: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_aoYNQrOOu0
Relevant UN resolution is described in the link below.
UN resolution 47: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council_Resolution_47
“The Resolution recommended a three-step process for the resolution of the dispute. In the first step, Pakistan was asked to withdraw all its nationals from Kashmir. In the second step, India was asked to progressively reduce its forces to the minimum level required for law and order. In the third step, India was asked to appoint a plebiscite administrator nominated by the United Nations who would conduct a free and impartial plebiscite.
The resolution was adopted paragraph by paragraph and no vote on the resolution as a whole was taken.” From the Wikipedia link above.
Pakistan has never fulfilled the first step and continues to illegally occupy 1/3rd of Jammu & Kashmir (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, POK) till date.
Besides, Shimla Agreement between India and Pakistan signed in 1972 binds two nations to resolve their issues bilaterally. It supersedes any preceding agreement (s) including the UN resolution. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simla_Agreement
Maharaja Hari Singh’s Kingdom of Jammu & Kashmir obviously and legally joined India. The Maharaja made the correct choice. He was a smart King. J&K is now part of the progressive, prosperous, secular, multicultural and democratic India.
India and Indians will never allow anyone to undo what was done by Maharaja Hari Singh in 1947. Terrorism and unrest supported from across the borders will never be allowed to succeed.
In my view, and in the views of Indian Australians, there is no need or justification for elected Australian politicians i.e. Ministers, MPs, MLCs and Councilors to participate in unproductive and objectionable anti-India rhetorics.
There will be peace in Kashmir and the region if/ when terrorists groups, based in territories outside India’s borders, stop receiving support, training, funding and patronage of the State and non-State agencies. The concerns in this regard have come not only from the USA and the UNO, but also the BRICS.
Dr Yadu Singh
Yadu Singh's Blog 