Sheikh Abdullah
Sheikh Abdullah
Sheikh Abdullah was the leader of the National Conference, Kashmir’s largest political party. After Independence, he took charge as head of the emergency administration in Kashmir on 30th October, 1947 and later became Prime Minister of Kashmir on March 17, 1948. The government of Pakistan viewed Abdullah and his party as agents of Nehru and did not recognise his leadership of Kashmir.
In 1953, the son of Maharaja Hari Singh (the last ruling maharaja of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir), arrested Sheikh Abdullah on the charges of carrying out “anti-national” activities and conspiring for an independent Kashmir. Abdullah thought Nehru was behind his arrest, but reconciled with him when he was released in 1964 after charges against him were dropped. Nehru requested him to act as a bridge between India and Pakistan.
After the 1971 India- Pakistan war which resulted in the creation of Bangladesh, Sheikh Abdullah recognised the need for promoting the solution of issues with dialogue rather than confrontation. After realising the danger of fragmentation of India and Pakistan, he started talks with Indira Gandhi for normalising the situation of the region. Consequently, the 1974 Indira-Sheikh Accord that stated that the State would continue to be ruled under article 370 was signed. The article specifies that except for Defence, Foreign Affairs, Finance and Communications, the Indian Parliament needs the State Government's agreement for applying all other laws. The state's residents live under a separate set of laws, including those related to citizenship, ownership of property, and fundamental rights, as compared to other Indians. Shortly afterwards the 1974 Indira- Sheikh accord was signed, Abdullah became Chief Minister of the state as the National Conference won the elections. He remained Chief Minister till his death in 1982. During his brief tenure as Chief Minister he tried to develop close ties between the three regions of the State namely Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. He also attempted to promote infrastructural development in the state.
