By Brig Syed Karrar Hussain R
In the historic summer of 1947, while the Indian subcontinent stood at the threshold of freedom, the people of Jammu and Kashmir, a Muslim-majority princely state, made a clear and unambiguous declaration through their political platform — the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference. On 19th July 1947, one month before the creation of Pakistan and India, the Muslim Conference passed a historic resolution demanding accession to Pakistan, citing religious, cultural, geographical, and economic affinities with the soon-to-be Muslim-majority state of Pakistan.
More than seven decades later, the region continues to suffer due to the denial of that very right of self-determination, which both logic and morality justified. This article revisits the importance of that resolution and sheds light on the broader context of Pakistan’s position, India’s violations, and the unresolved Kashmir dispute’s impact on regional peace and prosperity.
Why Quaid-e-Azam Demanded a Separate Country from India
The struggle for Pakistan was rooted in a fundamental ideological premise: Muslims of the subcontinent were a separate nation with distinct religious, cultural, political, and economic identity. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, while leading the Pakistan Movement, repeatedly emphasized that Muslims could not coexist under a Hindu-majority rule that would eventually marginalize them. The Two-Nation Theory declared that Hindus and Muslims are two separate nations — a view vindicated by the partition’s violence and the treatment of minorities in India thereafter.
The princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, being over 80% Muslim, was naturally seen by the Quaid and the Muslim League as an integral part of Pakistan. Jinnah himself had deep concerns that Hindu-dominated India would attempt to forcibly annex Muslim-majority areas, and Kashmir became a prime victim of that very policy.
Importance of the 19th July 1947 Resolution
The 19th July 1947 resolution, passed by the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference, was not merely symbolic. It was an expression of the collective will of the Kashmiri Muslims, who formed the overwhelming majority of the state’s population. The resolution read:
> “This convention of the Muslim Conference demands the accession of the state of Jammu and Kashmir to Pakistan.”
This resolution preceded the partition and independence of both India and Pakistan. It legitimized Kashmir’s natural alignment with Pakistan based on religious, cultural, economic, and geographical proximity. The resolution remains a critical historical document that affirms Kashmir’s political will, which was later suppressed by Maharaja Hari Singh’s illegal accession to India under dubious circumstances.
Why Pakistan Morally Supports Kashmiris
Pakistan’s moral, diplomatic, and political support for Kashmiris is not born out of strategic concerns alone. It is based on a deep-rooted ideological, religious, and ethical responsibility. Kashmiris are Muslims, and Pakistan’s foundation lies in the unity of the Muslim ummah of South Asia. More importantly, Kashmiris chose Pakistan, and continue to raise pro-Pakistan slogans to this day.
Pakistan’s commitment has remained unwavering despite economic burdens and international pressure. Every 5th February is marked as Kashmir Solidarity Day, where the entire nation stands in unity with the besieged Kashmiri brethren. Pakistan has hosted thousands of refugees, supported Kashmiri voices in international forums, and remained a vocal advocate for their right to self-determination.
Indian Atrocities Against Kashmiris
Since the illegal accession of Kashmir to India in October 1947, the valley has witnessed horrific brutality at the hands of the Indian occupation forces. From the mass killings of Muslims in Jammu in 1947, to the 1990s wave of insurgency and subsequent militarization, to the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019, India’s occupation has only become more brutal.
Today, over 900,000 Indian troops occupy Kashmir — making it one of the most militarized zones in the world. Innocent civilians, including women and children, have been subjected to:
Extrajudicial killings
Enforced disappearances
Mass rapes (e.g., Kunan Poshpora incident)
Blindings through pellet guns
Destruction of property
Detentions without trial under draconian laws like AFSPA and PSA
Human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have consistently documented these atrocities. The Indian state has sought to silence Kashmiri voices through censorship, arrests, and even social media blackouts.
Pakistan-India Wars Due to Kashmir
Kashmir has been the core cause of conflict between Pakistan and India. The two countries have fought three full-scale wars and several skirmishes, including:
1947-48 War: Following Maharaja Hari Singh’s questionable accession to India, Pakistan and India fought over Kashmir. The war ended with a UN-mediated ceasefire, establishing the Line of Control (LoC) but leaving the issue unresolved.
1965 War: Sparked by Pakistan’s Operation Gibraltar, the war again centered on Kashmir. It ended in the Tashkent Agreement but failed to resolve the underlying dispute.
1999 Kargil Conflict: After India’s nuclear tests and growing suppression in Kashmir, Pakistan-backed forces occupied Indian positions in Kargil. The conflict reaffirmed that Kashmir remains a nuclear flashpoint.
Besides these, constant LoC violations, skirmishes, and proxy operations continue to cause military and civilian casualties on both sides. These wars and tensions have hampered regional cooperation and stability.
UN Resolution on Kashmir
Recognizing the gravity of the Kashmir issue, the United Nations stepped in during the 1947-48 war. The UN Security Council Resolution 47, passed in April 1948, clearly stated:
> “The final disposition of Jammu and Kashmir will be made in accordance with the will of the people, expressed through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite.”
The resolution outlined three steps:
1. Withdrawal of Pakistani forces.
2. Reduction of Indian forces to minimum strength.
3. Holding of a UN-supervised plebiscite.
Unfortunately, India refused to honor the plebiscite condition, later calling Kashmir an “integral part of India.” Over time, India has blocked further UN action, while Pakistan continues to demand implementation of the resolution.
The UN, despite having laid the legal framework, has failed to enforce its own resolutions, eroding its credibility.
Adverse Economic Effects on Pakistan and India Due to the Unresolved Kashmir Issue
The unresolved Kashmir dispute is not just a political and humanitarian tragedy, but also a massive economic burden on both countries.
For Pakistan:
Huge military expenditure to secure borders and maintain deterrence.
Blocked regional trade opportunities, particularly with India and Central Asia.
Limited foreign direct investment due to perceived instability.
For India:
Billions spent annually to maintain occupation forces in Kashmir.
Damaged global reputation due to rights violations.
Rising internal unrest and insurgency-related costs.
Hindrance in achieving SAARC regional cooperation.
If peace were achieved, both economies could benefit immensely through trade corridors, tourism, and cooperative resource management. The Kashmir conflict has cost South Asia decades of potential growth and development.
Responsibility of UNO and World Superpowers on Kashmir
The United Nations, created to uphold peace and justice, bears a moral and legal responsibility to resolve the Kashmir issue. Its inaction over 75 years has emboldened India’s occupation and allowed widespread human rights abuses.
Similarly, world powers, especially the United States, United Kingdom, China, Russia, and the European Union, have largely failed the Kashmiri people. Strategic and economic interests with India have muted their voices against oppression.
The U.S., while occasionally raising human rights concerns, has avoided exerting real pressure.
The Muslim world, with some exceptions like Turkey and Iran, has remained largely passive.
The OIC issues statements, but practical steps are lacking.
The world community must realize that ignoring Kashmir is not sustainable. The region is a nuclear flashpoint, and continued neglect could spark a catastrophic war. Moreover, the Kashmiris deserve justice, as guaranteed by international law.
Conclusion
The 19th July 1947 resolution stands as a testament to the Kashmiri people’s aspirations to join Pakistan. Despite decades of occupation, suppression, and betrayal by world powers, Kashmiris have not given up their dream.
Pakistan must continue its moral and diplomatic support, and the international community must be reminded that Kashmir is not an internal issue of India but an unresolved international dispute.
Peace in South Asia hinges on justice for Kashmir, and that justice begins by honoring the voice that rose on 19th July 1947, echoing through generations:
Kashmir Banay Ga Pakistan.
