There have been so much violent protests for the last few days in the valley that I was compelled to write this post. As I go through newspaper reports, I see only useless articles written on the protests and Government’s attempt to quell it. But nobody writes about the real cause and the real solution. Let’s see if I am successful in bringing out the facts.
In order to refresh historical facts, Kashmir was supposed to be a part of Pakistan during the time of partition based on the religious majority line. But the twist was it was an independent state unlike the rest of British India and hence had the right to be free or to be assimilated into either India or Pakistan. The Hindu king of the Muslim-majority state wanted to remain free. But the Pakistani attempt to take the land by military force compelled him to seek Indian help. Indian Government played the cunning move and wanted Kashmir to be a part of India in return. The hapless king had no other choice but to comply in order to save the state from Pakistani marauders. Nobody wanted or even wished to know what the Kashmiri people wanted.
Post-integration, Kashmiris slowly became aware of the truth. They naturally wanted Indian Government to leave from the valley in order for a free Kashmir. But the Indian Government showed the legal papers signed with king Hari Singh and claimed Kashmir to be rightfully Indian territory. From then till now the stalemate has been on. In between Pakistan got the chance to wash it’s hands in the dirty water by supporting the Kashmir separatists. Here is an article which written by a Kashmiri shows their precarious situation. Now let’s examine what’s wrong in the picture so far?
No doubt India has legal claims on Kashmir, but are the claims rightful? It is similar to American invasion of Philippines. Though the USA Government ceded Philippines according to the Treaty of Paris, they didn’t ask the Filipinos if they wanted an American rule. The results-a long-standing feud and subsequent wars which ultimately paved the way for Philippines independence.
Now let’s see what do the Indian citizens feel about the issue? Most see Kashmiris as the trouble mongers and agents of Pakistan. Of course, Kashmiri separatists helped spread the impression when they ousted thousands of innocent Kashmiri Pandits. Indian people are strictly against Kashmiri independence or an integration with Pakistan. Why is it so? Because for long, they have been fooled by Government propaganda that Kashmir is the inseparable part of India. They don’t even know that the Kashmir they see on Indian maps has long been divided and a major chunk is in Pakistani control(called Azad Kashmir) and minor part in Chinese control(called Aksai Chin).
So, what’s in store for Kashmir? What is the future? The nearest guess is It Is Complicated. If Kashmiris want Azadi(Independence), they must dis-associate themselves from violence. They can’t possibly fight the Indian Government or else, the conflict will drag on. The more violent they become or the more is the Pakistani involvement, less is the chance of Indian Government complying with their demands.Their best move is non-cooperation. It may sound cowardice but it is the only workable solution. Let no Kashmiri be a part of the Indian democratic process. Let there be no politician in Kashmir valley. Pressurize the Indian Government to withdraw the troops by peaceful protests. Once these objectives are achieved, then decide the political future of Kashmir.
I still think Kashmiris will benefit immensely by being a part of India rather than by being free or a part of Pakistan. Many Kashmiris get the chance to study and work in the booming economy of Indian cities. As Indian Government has made it clear that Kashmiri Sovereignty is out of question, Kashmiris may want to settle with greater autonomy and complete withdrawal of army. It works in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China; so it may work in India.
It’s time for Indian media to stop writing ambiguous reports and start writing sensibly, offering workable solutions. A prime-ministerial visit will not solve the problem, a decisive action will.
