Manmohan lauds Karan Singh’s role during critical time in JK

New Delhi: Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Friday lauded former Union Minister Dr Karan Singh for the stellar leadership he provided in Jammu and Kashmir during the turbulent and volatile years of 1949-67.
“There cannot be lasting peace in the troubled state until concerns of Ladhak and Jammu are equitably addressed,” he added.
“A lot of unfinished agenda is left, a lot of food for thought for historians and writers to analyse the role of then national leadership in shaping the course of current events of the state,” he said.
The former PM was speaking at the launch of a book titled “Karan Singh-Jammu and Kashmir 1949-1967”.
These were the years when the former union minister was Regent, Sadr-e-Riyasat, and subsequently the first Governor of the state.
The book has been authored by Harbans Singh. First copy of the book was presented to Dr Singh at the well-attended function.
The book was released by former Chief Justice of India TS Thakur.
Dr Singh said while discussing the role of top leadership of the state during the period, historians and authors do not focus much on the positive role of Bakshi Gulam Mohammad — who was the Prime Minister.
Referring to the former union minister, Dr Singh said he played a unique role in shaping the drift of events during the 18 years when he was constitutional head and regent of the state.
It was very difficult to deal with Sheikh Abdullah, who was Prime Minister (before the post was designated as Chief Minister). Even the national leadership of the country found it difficult to deal with him.
The book deals with the political situation in the state when Dr Karan Singh was at the helm.
The book makes critical references to the decisions and thoughts of the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in dealing with then leadership of the state, especially Abdullah.
The book refers to the constructive role played by Dr Karan Singh as head of the state by continuously advising Nehru to be equitable in policy approach towards the region of Ladhak and Jammu in dealing with the state.
It says that Abdullah and his successors, who were under his sway, were Kashmir-centric in their approach which alienated people of the two regions.
It also refers to Dr Karan Singh as constitutional head dismissing Abdullah from the post of chief executive of the state in 1953.
Moreover, it mentions his instrumental role in getting the post of Prime Minister and Sadr-e-Riyasat abolished as christened then, respectively, as Chief Minister and Governor in accordance with country’s constitutional scheme of things.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Karan Singh underlined that he read the “well-researched” book only after it was printed, and did not concur with some of its conclusions.
He expressed concerns that the narrative on Jammu has been often neglected in the discussions on the state.
Now after 70 years of Independence it is time to go into the genesis of the creation of the state, he said.
He lauded the role of Ghulab Singh, his ancestor, and the bravery of Dogra community.
“It is often forgotten how the state was kept secured as for 100 years as one integral whole, including Gilgit and Balkistan in its fold, in spite of hostile geo-politics at its borders.
“People now say that Kashmirn is mine. They forget about the Dogras who gave their blood and made supreme sacrifices,” he added.
TS Thakur also credited Dr Karan Singh for his leadership in the state. He added that the book will be a source of joy for patriots.
He added that although the decisions taken by the then country’s leadership may have been dictated by the ground realities of the time, but in retrospect, historians will “not pardon those who faltered in their policies” regarding the state.