From The Past Pages Of Dawn: 1947: Seventy-five years ago: Right to independence.

LONDON -- The Times ... analysed the controversy created in British India by the declaration of the Governments of Hyderabad and Travancore that they intend to assume independence when power is transferred from British to Indian hands. The newspaper maintained that each State or group of States must 'retain in its own hands the decision to federate with one or other Dominion or to remain outside both while making provision for matters of common concern'.

The Times declared that there was no obligation 'moral or otherwise' upon any State to enter either Constituent Assembly 'unless it is convinced that such a course will be advantageous'. States like Hyderabad, Travancore 'and maybe Bhopal', the newspaper continued, 'do not thereby debar themselves...