Dear Editor,
In reality, Kashmir is a non- issue but Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) is the issue which is still unsettled. But now for India PoK is a just part of diplomacy. For slapping Pakistan all the time, India has kept alive the PoK issue. PoK is a weak point for Pakistan. Pakistan has no documentary proof or any Instrument of Accession signed by late Maharaja Hari Singh who was the sovereign King as recognised by then British Govt. as per Indian Independence Act 1947. He was free to accede either of two dominion States, India or Pakistan. But Maharaja Hari Singh acceded to Indian Dominion with his own choice and that too without any coercion, undue influence, misrepresentation, fraud etc. This power of joining Indian Dominion was given to all the Sovereign Kings of all the Princely States who automatically regained the status of Sovereign States. Same holds good for undivided J and K State ruled by Maharaja Hari Singh. So as per International law, Instrument of Accession (IoA) signed with India was a valid, and sacrosanct document. Only after signing the IoA and same was accepted by Last Governor General of free India Lord Mountbatten (Equivalent to present Office of President of India). Only after completing all legal formalities, Govt. of India put their step on the land of J and K. India has to bear heavy costs in the shape of martyrdom of our soldiers at the very outset and saved major parts of Kashmir like Baramullah, Uri etc. and some parts of Jammu province like Poonch and some districts of Rajouri from Pakistani forces and Qabaili raiders (unorganized terrorists). But unfortunately or deliberately the remaining portion where non Kashmiries were residing like Skardu, Gilgit, Baltistan, Mirpur, Kotli and Muzaffrabad remained in the illegal occupation of Pakistan in view of undesirable cease fire facilitated by UN after the consent of India. After this the PoK issue was created which slowly and gradually abbreviated as ‘K Issue (apostrophe K) or Kashmir Issue. Kashmir is a non-issue except PoK. Therefore we can say with authority that Kashmir issue is a misleading terminology of Pakistan occupied Kashmir Issue(PoK Issue) in reality. Jai Hind !
Ajat Shatru Sharma
Advocate, Kathua
