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| Why's Omar Abdullah's NC shying away from its past stand on Oct 27? | | Sheikh Abdullah had celebrated it as historic day | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Oct 27: As separatists in Kashmir had issued a strike call on October 27 to protest the landing of Indian army in the Valley on that day in 1947, the silence National Conference is maintaining on the historic day is intriguing.
The NC on Saturday not even uttered a word over this day on which Kashmir was freed from the tribals from Pakistan. There is not even a single statement coming out from any leader of the party in which the day could have been remembered.
However, the silence of the party seems to have been a subtle admittance that it obeys the separatists and would second them in observing the day as 'Black Day' in Kashmir.
Meanwhile, what the party seems to have forgotten is the fact that it was its founder Sheikh Abdullah who played a crucial role on October 27.
Sheikh Abdullah himself recalls this day in his autobiography and says that when the tribals entered Kashmir, they decided to destroy the city bridges leading to Srinagar airport. "This would impede the movement of the Indian troops when they landed. Getting the wind of this, we posted NC workers at bridges and other installations to protect them. Reports of ravages by the raiders had sent waves of anger among Hindus and Muslims throughout the Valley. They rose to defend the state's owner under the NC banner."
Sheikh maintained further that it was obvious that Pakistan was "determined to kill the conscience and dim our minds and in the ensuing darkness take away our freedom. So our priority was to protect our nationhood. For that we needed help from India. But there was the rub! The Maharaja had not formally acceded to India. Another obstacle was Gandhiji. Opinion was divided whether he would permit sending troops or not. Being in Delhi where I had gone to seek Indian leaders' help. I discussed the issue with them. I said that if India failed the Kashmiris, it would be failing the very same ideals that both sides cherished. Gandhiji in his kindness granted my request, and gave permission for the troops to go."
Sheikh Abdullah goes further and states that Maharaja was so disturbed that on his arrival in Jammu on October 26 he instructed his courtiers to wake him up only if and when VP Menon, secretary ministry of states, returned. For, that would indicate that India has agreed to the accession. Alternatively, he should be shot in head in his sleep. Sheikh Abdullah writes that the Indian government sent Menon with the instrument of accession. On October 26 itself, he got the Maharaja's signature on it. On his arrival in Delhi he was personally received by Patel who took him straightaway to Jawaharlal's residence. "I was also there then. Jawaharlal lived at 11 York Road, where I was his guest."
Sheikh Abdullah writes that Menon and Mahajan went into the inner room for talks with Nehru, and Mahajan said: "Send the army and execute the accession and give NC whatever authority it needs. But do send the troops by air today itself , or else we will go to Jinnah and sign the agreement."
Sheikh writes that after listening to this, Nehru got into rage. "I said it was no time to lose one's cool but to act promptly. Even a slightest delay would spill a disaster. What was the use of being wise after the event? I told him that NC supported the accession. He softened and darted in telling Mahajan that NC approved the accession. The instrument was singed.
"Later Mahajan wrote: "I shall always be grateful to Sheikh Abdullah for his help at the crucial juncture. His timely consent saved Kashmir from acceding to Pakistan," writes Sheikh Abdullah on page 292 of his autobiography.
However, it is intriguing why the NC is trying to shy away from its past? Perhaps, it is the party alone that can have the answer to this unavoidable question. |
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