MAKING OF THE INDIAN CONSITUTION AND LIBERATION OF GOA AND PONDICHERY
*
Before Independence the number if native states in India was 562,
which accounted for 48% of the country’s total area and 20% of its
total population.
*
In 1934 Dr. Rajendra Prasad proposed the introduction of responsible
governments in the Princely states – Patel – with a hurricane tour of
40 days – to join the Indian Union by the 5th of August.
* Only Hyderabad, Junagarh and Kashmir did not take a decision by the aforesaid date about their joining the Union.
*
The ruler of Junagarh was a Muslim whereas most of its people were
Hindus. In February 1948, through a referendum the people of this
state decided to join India. The Nawab of Junagarh therefore left for
Pakistan.
*
Mahatma Gandhi also met the king of Kashmir, but in August 1947, the
Pakistan in the guise of Qubailis began intruding into Jammu and
Kashmir.
*
On October 26, Maharaja Hari Singh of Kashmir sent his Prime
Minister. Meharchand Mahajan, with the signed papers of merger to
India, which were accepted.
*
But in the meantime, on 21-22 October 1947, with the help of the
Pathan Qubailis Pakistan invaded Kashmir and these intruders advanced
up o Srinagar.
* Even today about a third of Kashmir territory remains illegally occupied by Pakistan which it calls as Azad Kashmir.
*
Pakistan got a share of the country’s 40% of cotton production, 85%
of jute production and 40% of wheat production whereas all the related
mills and factories came under India’s share. This led to a shortage
of raw materials in India which in turn led to shortage of food grains
and textiles.
*
In 1948, in the wake of announcing an economic policy, the first
scheme known as the Sarvodaya scheme was presented by Jaiprasksah
Narain.
* Chandernagore had acceded to India on the basis of a plebiscite.
*
In 1946 the French Indian National congress and the French Indian
Students Congress had been established with this objective. All these
organization expressed their wish to liberate Pondicherry from French
control and merge with the Indian Union.
*
Within two years, all the five French enclaves came under Indian
control though the legal transfer of territories took place only in
1962.
*
The Portuguese had established their control over Goa, Diu and Daman
since 1510, 1546 and 1559 respectively. Including Dara and Nagar
Haveli this whole area used to be referred to as Goa.
*
a Goa Liberation Army constituting all political parties was formed
to liberate Goa. The Satyagraha of June 18, 1954 was particularly
significant as several satyagrahis were arrested in it for unfurling
the national flag.
* On 22 July, Dadra and Nagar Haveli came under the control of the liberators.
*
In November 1961, the Portuguese injured crew members of the ship
S.S.Sabarmati besides killing a fisherman. Ultimately the, Government
of India announced operation ’Vijay’ for the liberation of Goa. This
military operation was carried out under the command of general J.M.
Choudhary on 17-18 December 1961 and was completed by 19 December. In
this way, the Indian Army freed Goa, Daman and Diu.
