Evening star., 1948-09-14
India Occupies Hyderubud

The Government of India has cut the
gordian knot of the Hyderabad problem
with the sword. Crossing the state from
tier at many points, Indian troops are
rapidly overrunning Hyderabad. Despite
some resistance, they are so overwhelming
in numbers and equipment that complete
occupation can shortly be anticipated.
Thus climaxes one of the two outstand-
ing political controversies which have
troubled the sub-continent, the other be-
ing Kashmir Both are princely native
states, formerly enjoying virtual autonomy
under the former British Raj" the rulers
having had no direct connection with the
British Government of India but acknowl-
edging the "paramountcy" of the King
Emperor.
With the end of British rule, this semi
feudal relationship automatically lapsed
and the native states found themselves in
a highly anomalous situation toward the
two new Dominion Governments-India
and Pakistan-which apportioned British
India between them. Most of these states
merged themselves with Dominion, US
ually obtaining certain concessions which
prevented the entire obliteration of their
identities.
The two exceptions to this merger pro-
cess are Kashmir and Hyderabad, which
happen to be the largest and most his
torically self-conscious of the group. And
the ruler Of Kashmir, a Hindu, soon de-
cided to join India, against the wishes of
a large proportion OF his subjects, who
wanted to join Pakistan, since they are
Moslems
The case of Hyderabad differs from that
of Kashmir in two notable respects. The
first of these is location. While Kashmir
adjoins both Dominions, Hyderabad is an
isolated enclave deep in Indian territory
which surrounds 1t on all sides. Relig-,
iously, the situation is the reverse of Kash-
mfrs. The ruler, known as the Nizam,
and the upper class, are Moslems, while
the bulk of the population Is Hindu. These
Hyderabadi Mosems know that their abb
sorption into India would mean the loss
Of their historic power and privileges, so
they have resisted all attempts of the In
dian Government to bring them into line.
India claims that Moslem volunteer Or
ganization known as the Razakars have
been terrorizing the Hyderabadi Hindus.
India likewise claims that Hyderabad has
no right to appeal the case to the United
Nations, since 1t is not a sovereign state.
Indian military Intervention Is justified to
restore order in Hyderabad and enable the
inhabitants freely to express their wishes.
Since three-fourths are Hndus, the result
of 4 plebiscite would be undoubtedly for
union with India.
For the world at large, the interesting
aspect Of the situation Is how the Moslems,
especially those of Pakistan, will react to
this armed Indian Intervention. Naturally,
Pakistan public opinion has strongly SYM
pathized with the Nizam, though the PAX
istan Government has not openly acted in
the matter. Pakistan's action may well be
affected by the pntimely death Of its leader,
Mohammed Ali Jinnah. who occupied po-
sition of unique prs-eminence in Its affairs
Although he had been sravely Ill for the
past year, his removal from the helm will
presumably cause certain amount Of un-
certainty and possible confusion.
Meanwhile, India has presented Pakistan
and its own Moslem minority with what
the French call "an accomplished fact"
The results of this drastic action remain
to be seen.