Did Balochistan want to join India? Know how Jinnah’s stakes forced the merger to Pakistan

New Delhi: The question of Balochistan’s independence has again made headlines. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) kidnapped the Jafar Express to Peshawar. The incident occurred in the turbulent Balochistan province. This incident has once again refreshed the memories of the long -standing struggle. The entire plan to hijack the train of BLA fighters is the result of the continuous demand for freedom of Baloch. This fight is the result of economic harassment, discrimination, politically marginalized. Questions arising about this whole incident whether Balochistan wanted to join India? How did Jinnah force the Baloch ruler to merge with Pakistan?

A look at the history of Balochistan

If we look at the history of Balochistan, it is found in Greek literature of 560 BC. It became a part of East India in 1870. Balochistan was a group of four princely states during the partition of the country, including Kalat, Kharan, Las Bella and Makran. Like other Indian princely states of that time, they also had the freedom to join India or Pakistan. Kharan, Las Bella and Makran, three princely states agreed to join Pakistan. The Muslim League leader Muhammad Ali Jinnah promised him/her to give him/her the same status and respect as all other provinces.

This was the intention of Pakistan

However, Kalat refused to accept Jinnah’s demand. Kalat decided to remain free. Khan of Kalat sought help from Jinnah. he/she appointed Jinnah as his/her legal advisor to put his/her case in front of the British Crown in 1946. Four leaders met to take a decision on the future of Kalat.

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East Balochistan raised demand

Lord Mountbatten, Khan Mir Ahmedyar Khan, Jawaharlal Nehru and Jinnah sat together on 4 August 1947. Khan once again insisted on keeping his/her kingdom independent. Jinnah supported him/her. However, the Muslim League leader insisted that Kharan and Las Bella should be mixed with Kalat and a complete Balochistan should be made. As a result, Kalat declared his/her independence on August 15, 1947.

Then how Pakistan increased pressure

However, the British Empire said in a memorandum on 12 September 1947 that the small province of Kalat would not be able to fulfill international responsibilities. According to Taj Mohammed Braceg’s book ‘Baloch Nationalism: It’s Origin and Development’, Jinnah then forced it to join Pakistan in a very vicious manner. Khan rejected Jinnah’s pressure. he/she sought help from another princely state to maintain his/her freedom.

Kalat wanted to join India?

When the Kalat ruler refused to join Pakistan, Jinnah sent the Pakistani army to capture Balochistan on 26 March 1948. It is said that Mir Ahmedyar Khan, the ruler of Kalat, wanted to join India. But Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru rejected him/her.

It is said that Nehru was in favor of a strong and friendly Pakistan. At that time there were reports that Home Secretary V.P. Menon had said on All India Radio on March 27, 1948 that Khan of Kalat was pressurizing India to accept the merger of Kalat, but he/she also said that India had nothing to do with it. However, there is no evidence to support this principle.

How Baloch merged in Pakistan

Without any alternative, Khan signed a documentation of merger in Pakistan on 27 March 1947. However, he/she wrote in his/her book, ‘Inside Balochistan: A Political Autobiography of Hiz Hynes Bagi: Khan-e-Azam-XIII’, ‘I accept, I knew that I was moving beyond my jurisdiction but if I had not taken immediate steps to sign the merger of Kalat, then … Could have been. ‘

However, Prince Abdul Karim, brother of Mir Ahmedyar Khan, revolted against his/her brother. he/she led the first armed rebellion against Pakistan in 1948. However, this rebellion was soon suppressed.