Syed Ali Haisum Bukhari
Since the very beginning of human history, the world has observed two forces, opposite to each other, one being the suppressor while another one is an oppressor. The same has been observed when the word “Junagadh” echoes in one’s mind. The issue of Junagadh is nowadays talk of the town and glimpsing highlights of print and digital media. The issue was brought to life after the unveiling of the new political map by Government of Pakistan on 4 Aug 2020 in which Junagadh was shown as an integral part of Pakistan. Junagadh’s official inclusion in the political map is among the notable changes.
Junagadh’s dispute has its roots in events of 1947 which in turn is a clear demonstration of blatant violation of the territory of Pakistan. During the pre-partition era, Junagadh was a premier state in western Kathiawar among 562 imperial states of the sub-continent. The then state had an independent standing Army and an independent system of governance was placed there. Further, the state had its postal system. Owing to the fact of being the fifth-largest state in terms of revenue generation and second-largest among Muslim states, one can say confidently that Junagadh was a welfare state.
When the rulers of princely states were given an option to either accede to Pakistan or India or to remain independent under the Indian Independence Act 1947, Nawab Mahabat Khanji, being inclined to Mr. Jinnah’s fair policy regarding the imperial states and his respect for rulers’ sovereignty, decided to get the State of Junagadh annexed with Pakistan.
The decision was taken after consulting with the state council of the State of Junagadh consisting of representatives of all the communities present in the state. An “Instrument of Accession” was signed between both sovereign rulers of independent states which as per Article 26 of the Vienna Convention on the law of treaties is binding. The instrument came into existence on September 15, 1947, and become the first princely state to get accession to Pakistan.
On 25 Sept 1947, Indian government for their cosmetic face saving established temporary provincial government in Bombay to govern Junagadh state which was led by Samaldas Gandhi (nephew of Mahatama Gandhi). Later on Nov 9 1947, Government of India decided to take unilateral action and sent a standing army consisting of 70,000 troops.
India entered the state of Junagadh forcefully. Nawabzada Liaqat Ali, the then prime minister of Pakistan told Mr. Jawaharlal Nehru the Indian counterpart that such blatant occupation of the state of Junagadh is a clear violation of Pakistan’s territory and a breach of international law has been observed. The issue was raised in United Nations; however, it remains unresolved till today.
The assertion of India that Junagadh should become a part of India because its population comprised majority Hindus is not based on sound evidence and is a violation of the Indian Independence Act of 1947. Because at that time, the position of Nawab of Junagadh was considered as sovereign as far as state affairs are concerned.
India attempted to rectify this by holding a plebiscite in Junagadh but its transparency has been questioned by international actors as well as Pakistan. Moreover, India’s claim that Junagadh does not share a border with Pakistan is doubtful. It is an internationally recognized fact that maritime borders are a reality and many countries share maritime borders without any land contact, an instance of this is the case of Alaska, United States of America.
According to Lord Mountbatten, Junagadh had become part of Pakistan after the latter’s acceptance of the Instrument of Accession. Junagadh had officially decided to join Pakistan on 14 August and Pakistan accepted the Instrument of Accession on 15 September. So, it was under the sovereignty of Pakistan and Indian aggression against the region must be considered as an act of war by the international community.
Keeping in view the discussion and evidence provided, it is clear that Pakistan’s narrative has credibility and veracity that is also backed by international media coverage. On the other hand, the Indian narrative has flaws and is based solely on land contiguity and the non-Muslim population.
Both of these mentioned points have been proved to be invalid and are against the Indian Independence Act of 1947 as Junagadh had a maritime border with Pakistan and its State Council representing the several communities of State was in favour of joining Pakistan and the signature of the sovereign head of State – the Nawab – adds further solidity to the facts.
Every year, Nawab of Junagadh Jahangir Khanji, Deewan of Junagadh Sahibzada Ahmed Ali, Junagadi 82 Jammats commemorate 9 Nov as a Black Day inland and abroad but astonishingly 75 years have gone and Junagadhis are awaiting justice. I ask the UNO, the World and global powers, whether their powers are to maintain the myth and uphold the flags of global powers? Is seeking justice by the poor countries and Junagadis is still a distant dream? Junagadhis are urging UNO and global powers for special attention to this unsolved issue.
Author: is student of Defense and Strategic Studies at Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad. A research fellow at Pakistan House think tank and Muslim Institute, he is also serving as the chairman youth affairs of Pakistan study circle organized by the Consul magazine.
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