The Ongoing Battle for Kashmir

During the reign of Ashoka, an Indian emperor, Kashmir became part of the Maurya Dynasty and Buddhism was introduced throughout the region. During this era, many stupas and some shrines were dedicated to Shiva, and the city of Srinagri (the modern Srinagar) was built. Kashmir became a place of learning for both lineages of Buddhism and Hinduism in the 4th century and remained under their influence till 14th century. Turkish and Afghan warriors continuously attacked Kashmir during this time, due to which it remained under Islamic rule from the mid 14th century till late 16th century and Islam then started spreading throughout this region. Like the rest of the India, the whole region also came under the Mughal Empire. Due to forced conversions and tax impositions on non-Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus both converted into Muslims. After the death of Aurangzeb Alamgir (the last Mughal Emperor), influence of the Mughal Empire declined. As Kashmiris had suffered from Afghans, they welcomed Sikh rule in the 18th century. British rulers came in and sold Jammu and Kashmir to a Dogra Chieftain who, very loyal to the British, ruled till 1947.

At the time of independence, it was decided that Muslim majority areas would become part of Pakistan and similarly Hindu majority areas would become the part of India. The princely states including Kashmir, Junagadh, Hyderabad and Kalat were given the right (by Lord Mountbatten, the last viceroy of Britain) to join either Pakistan or India. The states wanted to join neither and remain independent. Junagadh and Hyderabad had Muslim minority, so India sent their forces and included it in their territory, regardless of the fact that Muslim rulers led them. Kashmir, according to the plan, was to be incorporated in the new sovereign state of Pakistan due to its Muslim majority. But the Sikhs were ruling Kashmir (Muslim majority area) at that time. In 1948, Pakistan moved its forces for rescuing Kashmiri people, thus fought first war over Kashmir.

Raja Hari Singh, the then-ruler of Kashmir, asked for Indian intervention, which led to intervention of Indian troops and the forceful annexing of Kashmir. It was divided into Pakistani controlled part and Indian controlled part, and the dividing line (remaining to this date) is known as the Line of Control.

Jawarhlal Nehru, Indian Prime Minister, brought the Kashmir issue to the attention of the United Nations in 1948, to which UN Security Council suggested to have referendum in Kashmir and let Kashmiri people decide themselves whether they want to stay in Pakistan or India. But the prerequisite for the referendum was the removal of both nations’ armed forces, on which neither Pakistan nor India managed to reach an agreement. This issue lingers to this date. The two countries have fought three wars, 1947, 1965, and 1999 (Kargil war) with direct or indirect links to the Kashmir conflict.

Many a times, Pakistan initiated and tried to talk upon the solutions to resolve the matter of Kashmir dispute but India avoided resolution of immediate problems like Kashmir, relegating it to the background. Instead they insist that every other matter of dispute (visas, water, sports, to name a few) between India and Pakistan need to be talked upon first, and Kashmir dealt with later.

Indians also fear that if Kashmir is made independent, they might be compelled to leave other states they have occupied forcefully.

The current situation in Kashmir is a shameful reflection of barbarian psyche of Indian leadership, extremity of Indian strategy and their armed forces. Curfew has been imposed, pellet attacks are made, and Kashmiris are shot dead (the number of deaths have gone to 44 and increasing day by day). Having faced unprecedented repression and brutalities by Indian Army for seven decades, Kashmiri people, no matter what dangers or difficulties are involved, have decided to seek independence. Today their enthusiasm indicates that this issue will be resolved forever.

Pakistani government should send their foreign delegations to different countries for their help in becoming a third party mediator to resolve the matter of Kashmir, and India should leave Kashmir that they occupied with the power of their armed forces. Muslim countries and other world powers including China, Russia and America should come forward and pursue Pak-India mediation over Kashmir issue. If the problems of the Sub-continent (including Kashmir) were resolved, the region would be safer than before. United Nations Security Council should be contacted and help sought from them as well. It is a matter of gross human rights violations and the barbarity of Indian leadership must be brought to an end now and forever.