There are significant demographic changes in Kashmir. The minorities of Kashmir, Hindu, Sikhs and Buddhists were either killed or driven-out from Kashmir since 1947. A large number of them, about 200000, are now living in various refugee camps in Jammu. At the same time, a large number of Muslims infiltrated from other parts of Pakistan and even other parts of the world, to Kashmir. Kashmir region now has a very less Hindu Population than was before 1947.
The Right of Self Determination: The UN Resolutions on Kashmir have nothing to do with the ‘right of self determination’ for the Kashmiris, because there are only two obvious options: Join India or join Pakistan. There is no third option for ‘the independence’ or what few people call as the ‘right of self-determination’. Assuming that we go for ‘right of self-determination’ then why should not the right be extended to other parts of India. Why not North-East India ? So ideally, it should be applicable for all religions, tribes, sub-tribes, linguistic groups, etc. In that case, there will be hardly anything left as a Country like India or even Pakistan
...of the Jammu and Kashmir; there are large-scale infiltrations of Muslims into traditional Buddhist area Ladakh and the Hindu areas of Jammu. In the current demographic characteristics, there are nine million people in the Indian Kashmir, about six millions are Muslims, the rest three millions are Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs. While Kashmir valley is now almost all Muslim, in Ladakh Buddhists are still in majority. Muslims are still a minority in Jammu.
The dispute is mainly on the Indian part of Kashmir, as Pakistan wants it on the ground that Muslims are the majority of the population in that part, which is accordance with the “Two-nation” theory put forward by the founding fathers of Pakistan. But India’s position is illogical. It declared itself as the secular country, yet it had accepted the partition of India and recognized Islamic Republic of Pakistan and yet again Bangladesh in 1971. That logically means, India also believes in the ‘Two-Nation’ theory, which is exactly reverse to the ideal of secularism of India.
Problems started in 1947 when British were leaving India after the partition and the Muslims had demanded a separate homeland for themselves, to be called as Pakistan. When Pakistan became independent, they attacked the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir in the guise of tribal Pathans on 20th October 1947. Since the Maharaja by that time had not decided to join the Indian Republic, the Indian Army did not intervene. In one of its greatest mistake in the history, the Indian Government under so-called Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, did not think of protecting the Kashmir borders, till The Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir asked India for help and finally joined India on 26th October 1947. However, by that time Pakistan had already occupied almost half of the Kashmir. The UN Security Council resolution of April 1948 had suggested a plebiscite for the people of Kashmir, but only after it would be vacated by Pakistan; India would be allowed to maintain some forces to maintain the law and order. Pakistan never vacated the area and as a result, the referendum never went through. During the last 56 years, a lot of demographic changes took place. The most notable one is the expulsions of the non-Muslim communities both from the Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and also from the Srinagar valley of the Indian held Kashmir. Non-Muslims were driven out from the Pakistan occupied areas of Baltistan, Skardhu, Hunza and Gilgit, the four semi-independent kingdoms associated with the state.
Kashmir problem is with the world since 1947, the year of the partition of India. Indian part of the Kashmir is about 45 percent of the original Kingdom of the Jammu and Kashmir, about 35 percent is now in Pakistan, and China has occupied the other 20 percent in 1962. The UN and the U.S want both sides to keep on the discussions, but the important question is on what basis the discussion can take place. The unresolved status of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute has pushed India and Pakistan to three wars in addition to three minor ones.
When I first saw the name of the article - I thought this was one more of 'I-love-Pakistan' guys writing their 'intellectual' views about Indian failure in Kashmir..! But this is different and for once, a very sensible thought process..!
Yes - the addressing of Kashmir problem should be multi-pronged..First thing - give them confidence that we listen and connect..! Simultaneously expose Pakistan (so disgusting that our leaders REPEAEDLY fail in this - in spite of having enough ammunition in our favour..!) about their misdeeds..!!
But what does our leader Mr MMS do...? Announce the readiness for "one more package"..!!! Pathetic ... miopic ad visionless leadership..!
There are definitely certain forces who have acquired or gained strength to voice anti India slogans,the reasons are absolutely imminent that opposition in the valley has added fuel to the fire by giving irresponsible statements time to time to ignite the situation to volatile results,and they have of course succeeded ,The masses on the other hand are indeed not aware that they are cutting the the branch on which they are standing,besides few Allah fearing people have lost in the rage of mad ocean. The need of the hour is not to vent the air to catch fire but to add and feel the poor pulse and reach in a manner and tell them strongly that they are more INDIANS than any other single in the country ,KASHMIR and KASMIRIAT ARE FROM LADAKH TO KANYAKUMARI. I LOVE KASHMIR J&K AND KASHMIRIS.
A political solution will NOT work in Kashmir simply because the problem is not not political. The problem arises from religious fanaticism and need to be dealt accordingly.
Re: Why a political solution will NOT work in Kashmir
by Raman Kohli on Aug 14, 2010 08:48 AM
well said Jonathan,
We all know that Valley based Kashmiri Mulsims have created this movement based on loot, lies and deception and is nothing but a Islamic Fundamentalist movement and will be defeated sooner or later.
As there is no peace solution is forth coming, it is in our interest to keep the terrorist enemy at bay by neutralizing all of them by a WAR which has become inevitable.
What is political solution ? They already have their elected govt. whats use. What kashmir need is better infrastructur and jobs for locals. just like private company are creating income for unemplouyed youth all over india, they should be encouraged to go to kashmir. Kashmiri will have to support this. this will bring some growth. OTherwise youth will keep fighting and killing each other for 100 years, what will happen. nothing. what are poltcian gonna do ?
