AN ANALYSIS OF THE SPECIAL STATUS OF JAMMU & KASHMIR AND THE WITHDRAWAL THEREOF

Abstract

In 1947, when India was finally getting its independence from the British Raj of over two hundred years, there was a sigh of relief to the Indian people that now it’s time to breathe free as the India will be for the Indians and no British dominance would hamper the peace and harmony in the Indian Territory. But nothing is gained without losing something therefore, India was divided into two parts, namely, India and Pakistan in which as time passed East Pakistan got independence from Pakistan and is currently known as Bangladesh. Though there was the breeze of Independence in India, but people of Jammu & Kashmir were into great dilemma as to what they should do. Whether they should merge with India or the Merger should happen with Pakistan or Jammu & Kashmir will be an Independent Nation. Hence, Raja Hari Singh decided to merge with India in consideration of special status for Jammu & Kashmir by the Indian Government. As a matter of fact, on October 26, 1947, Hari Singh, the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, agreed that the State would become a part of India.