British Conservative MP Bob Blackman has tabled a motion in the UK Parliament reaffirming India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity over Jammu and Kashmir ahead of Accession Day on 26 October. The motion, signed by MPs from three other political parties, highlights the 1947 Instrument of Accession, terrorist violence in the region and the targeted killings of Kashmiri Pandits.
London: India’s sovereignty over Jammu and Kashmir has been highlighted in a motion introduced in the British Parliament by Conservative MP Bob Blackman ahead of Jammu and Kashmir Accession Day.
The motion refers to the Instrument of Accession signed by Maharaja Hari Singh on 26 October 1947, reaffirming India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity over the region. It also raises concerns about terrorist attacks, casualties among civilians and security personnel, and the targeted killings of Kashmiri Pandits.
Three MPs representing other political parties have also signed the motion. It was introduced as an Early Day Motion (EDM), a parliamentary mechanism that enables MPs to highlight specific issues and invite fellow members to express their views.
Motion highlights the 1947 Instrument of Accession
The motion notes that people of Jammu and Kashmir origin living in the UK observe 26 October as Accession Day. On this date in 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh, the then ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, signed the Instrument of Accession, under which the princely state acceded to India.
It states that the British Parliament affirms the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of India over Jammu and Kashmir. The motion also underlines the importance of maintaining strong and constructive bilateral relations between India and the UK.
The development comes against the backdrop of the region’s administrative reorganisation in August 2019, when Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood was revoked and it was reorganised as a Union Territory. Ladakh was also carved out as a separate Union Territory during the same process.
Motion raises concerns over terrorism and Kashmiri Pandits
The motion expresses sympathy for civilians killed or injured in terrorist incidents in Jammu and Kashmir. It also acknowledges the suffering of people affected in areas under Pakistan’s occupation.
Highlighting the continuing impact of terrorism, the motion expresses concern over attacks that have claimed the lives of civilians and security personnel.
It also condemns the targeted killings of Kashmiri Pandits and expresses concern that members of the community in some parts of Jammu and Kashmir continue to face threats and remain vulnerable to terrorist violence.
The motion further recognises the historical and constitutional significance of 26 October for communities that commemorate the day as marking Jammu and Kashmir’s accession to the Indian Union.
By raising these issues in Parliament, the motion brings renewed attention to India’s position on Jammu and Kashmir, the region’s accession in 1947 and the continuing security challenges faced by its people.
