Question

'The issue of Kashmir was the most complicated of all.’ What was the ‘issue’?

Answer 1

Instructions:

• Give a brief introduction about the State Reorganisation Act.
• Write about the attack of Pakistan on Kashmir
• Write about the impact of the attack and the steps taken by the Indian government.

Solution:
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel convinced 559 princely states, except Kashmir, Hyderabad, and Junagadh, to make them join the Union of India.

Kashmir's Raja Harisingh was undecided between joining India or Pakistan. Pakistan launched an attack on the state of Kashmir, prompting Raja Harisingh to request military aid from the Indian government. The Government of India requested that Harisingh sign the instrument of accession for the deployment of the Indian army.

The agreement included a provision for a plebiscite on permanent union with India following the restoration of normalcy in Kashmir. Pakistan had already occupied one-third of Kashmir, including Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. The rest of Kashmir was saved by India. India filed a complaint against Pakistan in the United Nations Security Council, which resulted in a cease-fire. Still, Kashmir has been a source of contention in India-Pakistan relations.