Miscellaneous - This Day That Age   

dated October 8, 1957: Nehru on Kashmir

Prime Minister Nehru declared in Tokyo on October 7 that India would not submit to continued aggression in Kashmir. Replying to a question on Kashmir at a press conference, he said: “In a day or two the Kashmir question will be discussed in the United Nations, and I want to make it very clear that, whatever happens, India will not allow foreign troops, by whatever name they be called, to enter Indian territory. In no circumstance would India allow international gangsterism to give shelter or aid to Pakistan’s continuing aggression in Kashmir.” The press conference was attended by a large number of Japanese and foreign correspondents, and Mr. Nehru replied to all questions in clear and forthright terms. Replying to a question as to what role India would like Japan to play in the Security Council (Japan, as a newly elected member, would be sitting in the Security Council when it next discusses Kashmir), Mr. Nehru said, “A good role, a role for peace, a role for putting down tensions in the world, a role generally to bring more and more co-operation among nations.” An American correspondent asked what difference there was between Indian troops in Kashmir and American troops in Japan. Mr. Nehru replied amidst laughter, “Oh, yes. I am glad you asked this question. Kashmir is part of India. I was not aware that Japan is part of the United States.” Another correspondent asked, “When did Kashmir become part of India?” Mr. Nehru said, “Kashmir has always been in history for thousands of years – not always politically but essentially – a part of India. For hundreds of years, it was politically a part of India, long before the British came. Culturally, of course, it has been one of the biggest seats of Indian culture and learning throughout history, for about two thousand years. Some of the finest books on Indian history were written in Kashmir.” Mr. Nehru then gave the background of the Partition and Kashmir’s accession to India, and said: “Certain rules were laid down about the Partition. According to those rules, Kashmir acceded to India, and became a part of the Indian Union, as an autonomous State of India. That is why I said Kashmir is as much a part of India as Calcutta or Bombay or Madras.”

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Cartoonscape
The hindu crossword 9038
Solution to puzzle 9037
Faith gives relief
dated October 8, 1957: Nehru on Kashmir
Weather

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu