New Delhi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during a recent session in the Rajya Sabha, delved into the historical context of India’s response to the Pakistani invasion of Kashmir, shedding light on what he perceives as critical mistakes made by the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
Shah referenced an account shared by India’s first Field Marshal, Sam Manekshaw, who was serving at the Directorate of Military Operations during the Kashmir conflict. According to Shah, Manekshaw recounted a crucial meeting where Sardar Patel confronted Nehru, asking, “Do you want Kashmir or not?” This, Shah suggested, led to the decision to deploy the army.
The Home Minister questioned the timing of the ceasefire ordered during the Pakistani attack, expressing that it was premature, especially when Indian forces were reportedly gaining ground. Shah contended that the ceasefire, occurring at an “inappropriate time,” allowed Pakistan to retain control over portions of Kashmir, now known as Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). He asserted that had the ceasefire been delayed by just two days, the entire region might have remained under Indian control.
Furthermore, Shah criticized Nehru’s decision to involve the United Nations in the matter. He quoted Nehru as admitting, “After the experience of the United Nations, I have come to the conclusion that no satisfactory results can be expected from there. I considered the ceasefire decision a good one, but we could not deal with this matter well.”
Highlighting Nehru’s self-admitted lapse in judgment, Shah emphasized the need for retrospection on the decisions made during that critical period. Shah reasserted India’s claim over PoK, stating, “Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is ours, and no one can take it from us.”
This revelation by Shah took place during a discussion in the Rajya Sabha on December 11, where he was addressing the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
