Here are two opinions :
Bismay: “The merger with the Indian state was an extension of democracy to the people of the Princely States.”
Inderpreet: “I am not so sure, there was force being used. Democracy comes by creating consensus.”
What is your own opinion in the light of accession of Princely States and the responses of the people in these parts?
Bismay: “The merger with the Indian state was an extension of democracy to the people of the Princely States.”
Inderpreet: “I am not so sure, there was force being used. Democracy comes by creating consensus.”What is your own opinion in the light of accession of Princely States and the responses of the people in these parts?
The integration of princely states was one of the major problems that surfaced after independence. The British left the princely rulers to decide their fate of merging either with Pakistan or India to them, which appeared to be a colossal task. This posed a threat to the unification of country as problems erupted in princely states like Junagadh and Hyderabad.
The interim government’s approach was based on the following:
a. People of most of the states wanted to integrate with India.
b. Government was ready to adopt a flexible approach while integrating them in terms of granting a certain degree of autonomy.
c. In the wake of the partition of the country and its aftermath, the country had to maintain its territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Thus, the integration of princely states involved a series of peaceful negotiations with the signing of Instrument of Accession with most of the states. However, the accession of Junagadh, Hyderabad, Kashmir and Manipur proved to be difficult.
Thus, we may support the arguments presented by Bismay on the following grounds:
a. Princely states were under the control of former princes or rulers; they did not have democratic regimes. The purpose was to extend the idea and system of democratic governance to the people of these princely states.
b. The integration was done after a series of negotiations, and it was understood by our political leadership that most people were interested in siding with India.
c. It was not a forceful accession as it was through proper negotiation.
d. States like Hyderabad, however, presented a different set of problems as the government had to send army to deal with the internal problem of lawlessness that had erupted due to the activities of Razakars.
e. The integration was the result of the dynamic leadership of Sardar Patel who sought full support and cooperation of the princely rulers so as to prevent chaos and anarchy.
The interim government’s approach was based on the following:
a. People of most of the states wanted to integrate with India.
b. Government was ready to adopt a flexible approach while integrating them in terms of granting a certain degree of autonomy.
c. In the wake of the partition of the country and its aftermath, the country had to maintain its territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Thus, the integration of princely states involved a series of peaceful negotiations with the signing of Instrument of Accession with most of the states. However, the accession of Junagadh, Hyderabad, Kashmir and Manipur proved to be difficult.Thus, we may support the arguments presented by Bismay on the following grounds:
a. Princely states were under the control of former princes or rulers; they did not have democratic regimes. The purpose was to extend the idea and system of democratic governance to the people of these princely states.
b. The integration was done after a series of negotiations, and it was understood by our political leadership that most people were interested in siding with India.
c. It was not a forceful accession as it was through proper negotiation.
d. States like Hyderabad, however, presented a different set of problems as the government had to send army to deal with the internal problem of lawlessness that had erupted due to the activities of Razakars.
e. The integration was the result of the dynamic leadership of Sardar Patel who sought full support and cooperation of the princely rulers so as to prevent chaos and anarchy.
