| The Working Committee
of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference has taken into consideration
the speech made by the Viceroy of India in the princes Chamber on the 17th
January, 1946 along with the declaration made by the Chancellor of the
Chamber on behalf of the Princes regarding constitutional advancement in
the States. After fully examining the salient points in both the speeches,
the working committee has come to the following conclusion:
1. That the advice tendered by the
Crown Representative to the Princes regarding the steps to be taken in
making the administration of these States progressive did not amount to
anything progressive. In fact it lost all the significance when he (Viceroy)
made such progress conditional on the maintenance of the treaties and the
consent of the Princes. These treaties and engagements which are outdated,
reactionary and questionable have always stood and will always stand in
the way of the States People's progress and to think that the Rulers will
give up their privileged positions that they enjoy under them at their
sweet will is nothing but wishful thinking. The National Conference has
at several occasions made It clear that these treaties have been made in
times and under circumstances which do not obtain now and been framed without
seeking the consent of the States People. Under such circumstances no treaties
or engagements which act as a dividing wall between their progress and
that their brethren In British India, can be binding on the people. |