INDIA'S COMMITMENT OF
PLEBISCITE FOR THE PEOPLE OF KASHMIR
“Our view which we have repeatedly made public is that the question of
accession in any disputed territory or State must be decided in accordance with
wishes of people and we adhere to this view.”
JAWAHARLAL NEHRU
(in telegram No. 402-Primin-2227 dated 27 October 1947 to Prime Minister of
Pakistan repeating telegram addressed to Prime Minister of United Kingdom).
“In regard to accession also, it has been made clear that this is subject to
reference to people of State and their decision.”
JAWAHARLAL NEHRU
(in telegram No.413 dated 28 October 1947 addressed to Prime Minister of Pakistan).
“ …….the people of Kashmir would decide the question of accession. It is open to
them to accede to either Dominion then.”
JAWAHARLAL NEHRU
(in telegram No.255 dated 31 October 1947 addressed to Prime Minister of Pakistan).
“Kashmir should decide question of accession by plebiscite or referendum under
international auspices such as those of the United Nations.”
JAWAHARLAL NEHRU
(Letter No. 368-Primin dated 21 November 1947 to Prime Minister of Pakistan).
“We are anxious not to finalize anything in a moment of crisis and without the
fullest opportunity to be given to the people of Kashmir to have their say. It
is for them ultimately to decide.
“And let me make it clear that it has been our policy all along that where there
is a dispute about the accession of a state to either Dominion, the accession
must be made by the people of that state.”
JAWAHARLAL NEHRU
(Broadcast to the Nation: “All India Radio”: 2 November 1947).
“The issue in Kashmir is whether violence and naked force should decide the future or the will of the people.”
JAWAHARLAL NEHRU
(Statement in Indian Constituent Assembly; 25 November 1947).
“We have not opposed at any time an over-all plebiscite for the State as a
whole…….”
JAWAHARLAL NEHRU
(in telegram dated 16 August 1950 addressed to the U.N. Representative for India
and Pakistan: S/1791 : Anne 1(B).
“The most feasible method of ascertaining the wishes of the people was by fair
and impartial plebiscite.”
JAWAHARLAL NEHRU
(Joint press communique of the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan issued in
Delhi after their meeting on 20 August 1953).
“People seem to forget that Kashmir is not a commodity for sale or to be
bartered. It has an individual existence and its people must be the final
arbiters of their future.”
JAWAHARLAL NEHRU
(Report to the All-India Congress Committee, 6 July 1951; The Statesman, New
Delhi, 9 July 1951).
“Kashmir is not a thing to be bandied about between India and Pakistan but it
has a soul of its own and an individuality of its own. Nothing can be done
without the goodwill and consent of the people of Kashmir.”
JAWAHARLAL NEHRU
(Statement in the Indian Parliament, 31 March 1955).
“We had given our pledge to the people of Kashmir, and subsequently to the
United Nations; we stood by it and we stand by it today. Let the people of
Kashmir decide.”
JAWAHARLAL NEHRU
(Statement in the Indian Parliament, 12 February 1951).
“We have taken the issue to the United Nations and given our word of honour for
a peaceful solution. As a great nation, we cannot go back on it. We have left
the question for final solution to the people of Kashmir and we are determined
to abide by their decision.”
JAWAHARLAL NEHRU
(Amrita Bazar Patrika, Calcutta, 2 January 1952).
“If, after a proper plebiscite, the people of Kashmir said, ‘We do not want to
be with India’, we are committed to accept that. We will accept it though it
might pain us. We will not send any army against them. We will accept that,
however hurt we might feel about it, we will change the Constitution, if
necessary.”
JAWAHARLAL NEHRU
(Statement in the Indian Parliament, 26 June 1952).
“I want to stress that it is only the people of Kashmir who can decide the
future of Kashmir. It is not that we have merely said that to the United Nations
and to the people of Kashmir; it is our conviction and one that is borne out by
the policy that we have pursued, not only in Kashmir but every where.
“I started with the presumption that it is for the people of Kashmir to decide
their own future. We will not compel them. In that sense, the people of Kashmir
are sovereign.”
JAWAHARLAL NEHRU
(Statement in Indian Parliament, 7 August 1952)
“The whole dispute about Kashmir is still before the United Nations. We cannot
just decide things concerning Kashmir. We cannot pass a bill or issue an order
concerning Kashmir or do whatever we want.
JAWAHARLAL NEHRU
(The Statesman, 1 May 1953)
“Leave the decision regarding the future of this State to the people of the
State is not merely a promise to your Government but also to the people of
Kashmir and to the world.”
JAWAHARLAL NEHRU
(In telegram No. 25 dated 31 October 1947 addressed to Prime Minister of Pakistan).
“In regard to accession also it has been made clear that this is subject to
reference to people of State and their decision.”
JAWAHARLAL NEHRU
(In telegram No.413 dated 28 October 1947 addressed to Prime Minister of Pakistan).
“That Government of India and Pakistan should make a joint request to U.N.O. to
undertake a plebiscite in Kashmir at the earliest possible date.”
JAWAHARLAL NEHRU
(In telegram No. Primin-304 dated 8 November 1947 addressed to Prime Minister of Pakistan).
“We have always right from the beginning accepted the idea of the Kashmir people
deciding their fate by referendum or plebiscite………..”
“Ultimately, the final decision of settlement, which must come, has first of all
to be made basically by the people of Kashmir…….”
JAWAHARLAL NEHRU
(Statement at Press Conference in London, 16 January 1951, The Statesman, 18 January 1951).
“But so far as the Government of India are concerned, every assurance and
international commitment in regard to Kashmir stands.”
JAWAHARLAL NEHRU
(Statement in the
Indian Council of States; 18 May 1954).
