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| Kashmir a Vexing problem | | | Mahadeep Singh Jamwal | 12/5/2016 10:11:28 PM |
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Kashmir in J&K state is
one of the biggest issues in
Indian Pakistan history inviting attention internationally. The conflict has its origin from the day one of coming into existence of two dominions. The Pakistan claims J&K, based on its majority Muslim population, forgetting that the Indian Independence Act 1947, an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that partitioned British India into two new independent dominions, received the royal assent on 18 July 1947. Among others the Act's most important provision was 'termination of British suzerainty over the princely states, with effect from 15 August 1947, and recognized the right of states to accede to either dominion. The princely state of J&K was contiguous to both dominions, hence Maharaja decided to remain independent. It offered to sign 'stand still' agreement with both of the dominions and Pakistan immediately accepted it. Pakistan's expectations of acceding to Pakistan on the strength of majority Muslim population shattered and violating the 'Stand Still' agreement launched tribes attack on Kashmir, which is also known as first Indo-Pak war, forcing the ruler to accede to India.
The Kashmir conflict basically territorial conflict involves three regions of territory annexed by the East India Company i.e. Kashmir Valley, Ladakh, and Gilgit-Baltistan from the Sikhs, and then transferred it as per the 'Treaty of Amritsar' to Sh. Gulab Singh in return for an indemnity payment of 75, 00,000 Nanakshahee Rupees. These three regions are; Indian controlled Jammu and Kashmir, Azad Kashmir (POK) and China occupied Kashmir. The Indian controlled Jammu and Kashmir state has three sub-regions - Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, but the Indian as well as Pakistan's much focus is towards the Kashmir. In Kashmir valley Muslims are predominant whereas in Jammu and Ladakh non-Muslims such as Hindus and Buddhists are dominant. However the Muslim part sits in between the Hindu part and Buddhist part. The population base and Religious groups in Jammu and Kashmir play a great role while talking about it such as Kashmir valley 95% Muslim, 4% Hindu, Jammu region 66% Hindu, 30% Muslim 4% other and Ladakh has 50% Buddhist, 46% Muslim, and 3% others. So admittedly speaking the state of J&K is Muslim dominated state. Given the geography and the terrain, the region is extremely cold (with some of the coldest temperatures in the inhabited world), snow bound, land locked and hilly (having some of the tallest mountains in the world). The region carries the Indus water that is extremely crucial for both Pakistan and northern India. The Kashmir adjoins extremely troubled region such as northern Pakistan, Afghanistan, Xinjiang of China and central Asia and it has lead to breeding ground of trouble shooter i.e. terrorists and militants.
The Kashmir has been the bone of contention and it has invited three wars for the issue, number of treaties but the situation speaks of 'Dhak ke do patt' means as it is. A sensitive analysis will reveal that in the areas captured and occupied by China, Pakistan and the area of J&K in which Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs and Shia Muslims live, has no trouble at all. It is only 14000Sq Km area of Kashmir Valley which is problem area not the entire state, so why should the whole state suffer? We appear to have amalgamated the external troubles of border dispute and internal conflict within the valley. The internal conflict by vested interests is a baby child of external border dispute. There are ways to deal with such problems and require tough talk backed by tougher action and priority require territorial dispute.
What can be suggested solution to this problem is a big question mark? If we track down the web page we find that earlier too, many suggestions have come up from almost all quarters that may be from Kashmir based ideology, political suggestions, from national and international forum, from many committees and conferences, but none were helpful to ease out the vexed problem. Let us have a cursory look into some suggestions since 1947;
n Immediately after creation of two nations, Pakistan infiltrated the Kashmir, which turned out to be the first Indo-Pak war, after ceasefire UN gave solution to plebiscite a Kashmir voice raised for it, claiming the accession as not final. In order to ensure the impartiality of the plebiscite, Pakistan to withdraw all tribesmen and nationals who entered the region for the purpose of fighting and that India to leave only the minimum number of troops needed to keep civil order. The Pakistan never did it so this solution failed. Pakistan wants their allies United State to resolve this issue but India don't want intervention of third party. There were several solutions proposed by both side India and Pakistan but most of the problem is regulation and trust with each others.
Parvez Musharraf's four point formula i.e. demilitarization and self rule with joint supervision mechanism, free trade without restriction, self governance or autonomy but not independence and, mechanism for phased wised withdrawal of troops from the region did not worked. Political parties in India and Pakistan and Pakistan army do not want to resolve this conflict for their own interest.
A solution was also put forth to formalize the status quo and make the Line of Control into a permanent border. Kashmir has been a flashpoint between India and Pakistan for more than 50 years. Currently a boundary - the Line of Control - divides the region in two, with one part administered by India and one by Pakistan. But this status quo is not acceptable to Pakistan and Kashmiri activists reject this plan because they both want greater control over the region, moreover formalizing the existing arrangement (make Loc into a permanent border, means officially giving up PoK to Pakistan) or have an arrangement to share Kashmir valley with Pakistan (a small portion of the current state of J&K). Kashmir is a Muslim majority state. So, one might simplistically argue that India should vacate the place and give it away to Pakistan. But, it is not so simple. Cutting it up is not as easy as it looks on the map.
The Chenab plan was formulated in 1960's and according to this plan a division was suggested along the line of the River Chenab. This would have given the vast majority of land north of Chenab River to Pakistan including Kashmir Valley and Buddhist dominant Ladakh region which has never shown desire to join Pakistan. India will only get Hindu dominant Jammu region which is south of Chenab River. The entire valley with its Muslim majority population would be brought within Pakistan's borders, as well as the majority Muslim areas of Jammu, hence the formula rejected.
If we virtually understand the ideological conflict among Kashmiri minds, we find that it is not one platform but a divided house on four voices i.e. Kashmir joins Pakistan; Kashmir joins India, Independent Kashmir Valley and, Independent Kashmir (amalgamation of both sides of Kashmir). Let us discuss some pros and cons of all the ideologies.
Kashmir joins Pakistan: Pakistan has consistently favored this as the best solution to the dispute, in view of the state's majority Muslim population. However this ideology in a region of the society which comprises peoples that are culturally, religiously and ethnically diverse would create disaffected minorities. The Hindus of Jammu and the Buddhists of Ladakh have never shown any desire to join Pakistan. There is also a controversy that how many Muslims actually want to be a part of Pakistan as Jammu and Ladakh has also 30% and 46% Muslim population respectively.
Kashmir joins India: By virtue of constitutional provisions, the J&K state is an integral part of dominion of India, whereas such an ideology would not bring stability to the region and when constitutions of Dominion as well as that of state has settled the issue.
Independent Kashmir: This ideology fails to conceive as it means creation of a region comprising of Kashmir Valley - currently under Indian administration - and the narrow strip of land which Pakistan calls Azad Kashmir (by Indian side). This would leave the strategically important regions of the Northern Areas and Ladakh, bordering China, under the control of Pakistan and India respectively. The voices from Jammu and Ladakh region of Hindu, Muslim and Buddhists never desired so.
Independent Kashmir Valley: It sounds well as to create an independent Kashmir Valley. It can be an idea as it may address the grievances of those who have been fighting against the Indian Government since the insurgency began in 1989. But the region would not be economically viable without external assistance and it will also give platform to other rising voices of Ladakh and Jammu for separate identities.
The only best solution which is viable can be as;
Maintain the status quo: That mean let the LOC be final accepted international border between India, China and Pakistan otherwise the matter will never see the amicable decision among the three countries involved and the common man of the region will never have a peaceful living. The countries will be spending a major chunk of the tax payers to defend the disputed borders which otherwise can be utilized for uplifting the people of these regions.
Remove Article 370: Although this is widely condemned by Kashmir based politicians but in broader sense removal of article 370 is beneficial to the common man and it means any person can live and purchase bunch of land anywhere in any state thus breaking the thin line between Indians and Jammu and Kashmiri's.
Free Trade: between Indian Administered J&K and (POK) and POK will ease out the prevailing tension in all the three regions.
Conclusion: Solution of Jammu and Kashmir (1947) is not an easy cake hence it should be resolve in phases and general public elections, so that people of India and Pakistan live in harmony and peace as on both side people want to live in peace and harmony with good economy and wages. |
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