People Who United the Nation

Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru (Image: Huffingpost)

In spite of India or Pakistan, it could have been 565 provinces! It was not India or Pakistan which got freedom on 15 August, 1947 but there were 565 provinces which got freedom from British rule.

On 3 June, 1947 Viceroy of Governor General, Lord Mount Batten reached All India Radio along with Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, Sardar Baldev Singh and Mummahad Ali Jinnah. He announced that India will get Independence but partition would accompany as communal violence could create any harm as regions with more Hindu population wouldn’t want to be with Pakistan and regions with more Muslim population could want to go with Pakistan and vice versa.

On June 4, in a press conference, Mount Batten announced transfer of power on 15 August, 1947. According to this, British announced lapse of paramouncy according to which Britain was withdrawing its intervention in any province. Now these provinces could join India or Pakistan or could choose to remain independent.

Although, remaining independent was not an intelligent idea as a single distinct kingdom could face many problems and moreover it could change the map of current India. More than 8000 people had died in riots caused by the news of partition. Some majesty of provinces wanted to remain independent but practically, it was not feasible at that point of time.

India was shattering and with it hopes of many people to see a united India was shattering too. V.P Manen who was advisor to Viceroy suggested to Mount Batten that he should influence provinces to join India as those provinces lies within India as this could create problems and we would not be able to see India united as it is today.

After this, V.P Manen went to Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel and asked his permission to get retirement. He gave his argument that he had worked 20 years and so he thought it’s time to retire. Sardar replied that it’s not your time to retire but it’s time to help India. It’s time to join India in one thread of unity from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.

Under the order of Sardar Patel, Jawahar Lal Nehru and Mount Batten, V.P Manen made Instrument of Accession. By signing this, provinces could join India. To unification of India, a committee was formed in which minister was Sardar Patel and V.P Manen acted as a secretory.

It was n 25 July, 1947 that Lord Mount Batten gave a speech in front of majesties from different provinces. It said that before deciding anything about instrument of accession, majesties should consider two things. One that they can’t run from their neighbors, secondly they could not run from their subjects. Mount batten asked them to decide soon.

Many princely states like Hydrabad, Jodhpur, Bhopal, Jaisalmer could have gone with Pakistan or the map of India might not be the same. Trravancore had consideres itself independent on 11 June, 1947. After independence, Jaisalmar still remained confused whether to go with India or Pakistan or to remain Independent. It was in Feb 15, 1949 Jaisalmer joined India.

Our political leaders mainly Jawahar Lal Nehru, Sardar Patel and V.P Manen had worked hard to make India what it is today! Respect for the Fantastico leaders!