19th July – Kashmir’s Historic Pledge to Pakistan Lives On

As Pakistan and Kashmiris across the globe prepare to commemorate 19th July – Accession to Pakistan Day, it is essential for all of us to reflect upon the significance of this historic day. More than just a date on the calendar, 19th July 1947 marks a monumental moment in South Asian history—when the people of Jammu and Kashmir, through their legitimate political representatives, clearly and unambiguously declared their will to join Pakistan.

In the heart of Srinagar, at the residence of Sardar Muhammad Ibrahim Khan, leaders of the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference gathered and passed a resolution demanding the princely state’s accession to Pakistan. This decision, made just weeks before Pakistan’s independence, was grounded in undeniable realities—geography, religion, culture, language, and economic ties that naturally connected Kashmir with Pakistan.

A Decision Rooted in Logic and Emotion

The resolution wasn’t an emotional overreaction; it was based on clear facts. Over 80 percent of Kashmir’s population was Muslim, and the territory shared deep cultural and economic ties with the regions that were soon to become part of Pakistan. The rivers flowing from Kashmir watered the plains of Punjab. The religious and linguistic harmony with Pakistan was undeniable. The Kashmiri people, therefore, chose a future that aligned with their identity and aspirations.

This was not a backdoor political maneuver. It was a transparent and democratic expression of the Kashmiri people’s will. They feared—rightly so—that under Hindu-majority India, their identity and rights would be trampled upon. And history, sadly, has proven them correct.

A Betrayal of Trust by India

Source: Muslim Hands

Despite the Kashmiri people’s clear choice, the Dogra ruler Maharaja Hari Singh, a Hindu monarch ruling over a Muslim-majority population, refused to accede to Pakistan. Under immense pressure from India’s top leadership, he later signed the controversial and heavily disputed Instrument of Accession to India on 26 October 1947—a document that many legal experts and historians still question for its timing, legitimacy, and circumstances.

This move opened the floodgates for India’s military occupation of Kashmir, beginning a long, painful chapter of violence, repression, and betrayal. What followed was not only an invasion of territory but an invasion of the rights and aspirations of millions of Kashmiris who had already voiced their choice.

The Unkept Promise of Self-Determination

The United Nations, in its wisdom, recognized the volatile nature of the Kashmir dispute and passed a resolution in January 1949, calling for a free and fair plebiscite so that the people of Jammu and Kashmir could decide their own future. That promise, made in the highest international forum, has never been fulfilled. Instead of honoring it, India has doubled down on its militarization and control of the region.

In 2019, the Modi-led BJP government took its aggression further by revoking Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its special status. Since then, there has been an unprecedented crackdown on Kashmiri political leaders, journalists, human rights activists, and ordinary citizens. Media is silenced, dissent is crushed, and civil liberties have all but vanished.

Is this the democracy that India boasts of? Is this how it treats people who dare to ask for freedom?

A Legacy of Resistance and Resilience

Despite decades of occupation, Kashmiris have not given up. Their continued resistance—through protests, sacrifices, and steadfast belief in justice—reflects their deep bond with Pakistan. Millions of Pakistanis proudly consider Kashmir as the country’s “jugular vein,” a sentiment that originates not from politics, but from the shared dreams and struggles of both peoples.

Over the years, thousands of Kashmiris have fled to Pakistan to escape persecution. They have found refuge, opportunity, and dignity in Pakistan. This human migration, driven by pain and oppression, is living evidence of where Kashmiris feel at home.

The 19th July resolution is more than just a historical statement. It is a living document of Kashmiri identity and political will. It is the moral backbone of their ongoing struggle, and it stands as a powerful challenge to the false narrative that India tries to project globally.

The Way Forward: Honoring the Will of the People

Pakistan has always maintained that the Kashmir issue must be resolved according to the wishes of the Kashmiri people and in line with international law. It is not just a territorial matter; it is a question of human rights, dignity, and justice.

India’s strategy of repression may delay justice, but it cannot erase the truth. The world is watching, and international opinion is slowly but surely shifting. Human rights organizations, civil society activists, and conscientious voices in the global community are now questioning India’s actions in Kashmir more openly than ever before.

Source: Global Village Space

Conclusion: A Day That Lives Forever

As Pakistanis, we must never forget 19th July 1947. It is a day that confirms the unshakable bond between Kashmir and Pakistan. It is a day that proves that despite all odds, the people of Jammu and Kashmir chose Pakistan, not out of compulsion, but out of conviction.

Let this day be a reminder to the international community that the Kashmiri people are still waiting for the fulfillment of a promise made to them over 75 years ago. Until that promise is fulfilled and the people of Jammu and Kashmir are allowed to decide their own fate, peace in South Asia will remain elusive.

To our Kashmiri brothers and sisters: your struggle is our struggle, your pain is our pain, and your dream is our dream. Pakistan stands with you—not just on 19th July, but every day, until freedom is achieved.

May the spirit of 19th July continue to light the path of freedom, justice, and dignity for the people of Kashmir.