Jammu and Kashmir, one of the 28 states of the Republic of India has been a centre of attention and International focus ever since the separation of India in to Republic of India and the west while Pakistan. India and Pakistan has fought 3 furious wars in past 60 years of their existence which was specifically for the possession of Kashmir (1947, 1965, 1999).
DISCLAIMER:
1) My statements in no context refer Islam as a reason for terrorism nor do I claim that all terrorists are Muslims.
2) In this blog, Kashmir refers to only the Kashmir sector of J&K.
HISTORY: Back in 1940s J&K was the only princely state in the Indian subcontinent which had a Hindu Ruler for a Muslim majority state. During the partition, then ruler of J&K, Hari Sing was given an option to join either secular India or the Islamic state of Pakistan. Being a Muslim majority, though they were expected to join Pakistan, an unprecedented invasion from Pakistan forced the ruler to join the Indian union in return of military support to defend the invasion of Pakistan. The Government of India, under Jawaharlal Nehru also approached the UNO regarding the same and the UN's resolution asked both the parties to halt their army and not to proceed further with invasions. This lead to the carving out of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) from Mainland Kashmir.
This blog will not talk much about the recent history of Kashmir, but it shall remain focused on two key issues which keeps Kashmir Burning.
Kashmir, being located at a highly elevated altitude, makes it a key zone of military interest for both India and Pakistan to monitor the military movements and for mounting an attack in case of an insurgency.
Secondly, Kashmir being a Muslim majority state, it would be the most suitable ground for Taliban and Pakistan funded Islamic terroristic groups for setting up terror camps to hinder the growth of India.
Let us look Kashmir from a more realistic point of view. The very cause of the existence of Jammu and Kashmir as a separate state with special status is on the religious grounds. The Indian union being a Hindu majority, it would obviously of least interest of a Muslim majority region to reconcile with India. This is the truth and we have to come in terms with it. Whatever you see today (insurgencies since 1990’s) is not a freedom struggle for a secular state based on cultural or ethic differences, but it’s a call for the creation of an Islamic state if not, the migration of well known Kashmiri pundits to Mainland India would not have happened. If this was untrue, how would only the Muslim youth of the region take part in stone-pelting and such tension-provoking activities (Loud speakers in the mosque has been used to mobilize youth for protest and this happens mostly on Fridays). Today, Pakistan has taken full advantage of this in instigating Anti-India feeling in the region and also in popularizing the concept of “Jihad” into a society which has a long history of more liberal Sufi Islam. This has made things worse not only for the people of Kashmir, but also to the entire Indian subcontinent as evidenced by the terrorist activities that unfolded in the past decade with the participation of kashmiri youth!
When we probe the kashmiri issue more in depth, the unrests are common only to regions of Kashmir but Jammu, Leh and Ladak are relatively peaceful. Demographic statistics reveal jammu as a Hindu majority region and Kashmir as a Muslim majority region. This is one of the main reasons why there is a call for greater Kashmir rather than a greater J&K in general.
Options to resolve Kashmir issue:
1) Reconcile with Indian union: This would be warmly welcomed by the regions of Jammu and Leh and Ladak. In Kashmir this might be dealt with high resistance especially after the recent human right violations by CRPF against stone-pelting protesters whether it has been instigated by political parties, Pakistan based handlers or it be genuine. This would pave way for greater development of the region that any of the other two options that would be discussed later. Recent election which brought pro-Indian state government is a strong indication of willingness of people of J&K to get closer with New Delhi.
2) Reconcile with Pakistan: This would of interest for people who support Pakisthan based terrorists and Islamic fanatics who dislike India for the sole reason it being a Hindu-majority nation. Taking recent developments in Pakistan into consideration, this would receive a very cold welcome in the whole of J&K with the exception of certain areas of Kashmir adjacent to PoK which are strong holds of Pakistan-backed separatists.
3) To be independent: If J&K was to be a separate state, regions of Jammu, leh and Ladak would have high resistance against the move as they are Pro-India. Then what is left is Kashmir, which accounts for less than 25% of J&K. This is an interesting point to discuss. Let us assume that Kashmir is given autonomy and we are to predict the future of the state of Kashmir. Being in the middle of two Asia-Giants and a terror torn Pakistan, It would be a much sorted region. Pakistan would try its best with the military might to get hold of the land and make it a part of Pakistan along with the rest of PoK as its strategically very important trump card. China, being a aggressive nation not only in terms of growth, but also in terms of extending its territory, it would not miss a chance to gulp the chunk of land merely to extend its communist rule. If it stay as a separate state, I cannot envisage the development of anything else, but a terror camp or a Taliban styled state that would spend its economy, youth and power in destroying everything possible (including itself) in the name of Jihad. Previous attempts by hardliner Islamic groups in J&K in issuing fatwas are corroboratory evidence to support this. Taking revenge on India for so-called human rights violations would be on top of the agenda for these groups. The economic viability of the region is also a troubling thought. Being a land locked country that too in a mountainous terrain gives its own disadvantages. Any war between India and Pakistan would affect them immensely. If given support to either Pakistan or to India (which is least likely) in such a situation would lead to direct targeting of the region. (So I would advise the PDP and other separatists to be a little more long-visioned and practical. Please do not waste your youth for mere gain of power).
CURRENT UNREST IN KASHMIR: Ever since the militancy broke out in kashmir, Indian armed forces, paramilitary forces, terrorists, bomb blasts and deaths have been a day-today sight, news, sound and an unavoidable irritant part of their lives. The role of Indian military in bringing thestate back to normalcy is spectacular and is applauded in every corner of the world. The involvement of external forces, such as Pakistan based LeT and Hizbul Mujahideen, etc did not only create a state of unrest, but also a political turmoil which resulted in several loss of lives either in the hands of the terrorists or pak-trained kashmiri militants or in the hands of the great Indian army. The high penetrance of terroristic and separatist ideas into the minds of the youth and into different starta of the society made it even more difficult for any force to cure this malignancy. The level of militancy, terrorism and separatism would not have cropped up beyond curable level only because of the ground support that they received in the land of Kashmir. This ground support was mostly a result of religious ideologies rather than a matter of self governance and independence as militants and separatists had different aims, but took the same route to achieve it. Pakistan being at advantage here supported both the causes as they had nothing to lose.
A month back, Kashmir was never a part of the headlines across the Indian subcontinent, But recently it has occupied the whole front page and all the major headline slots for one reason “Protest against Human rights Violation by Indian Armed Forces”. Stone pelting became a Friday business after Holy Namaz. CRPF-protesters clash became a trend. For a few weeks it was considered as an isolated event. This trend changed slowly and became an hour-to-hour based incident across the Kashmir valley. For anybody who thinks logically, It should have crossed at least once that this was not a emotional outburst by the people of Kashmir. The presence of external and internal extremist forces was at least obvious to me, especially after knowing and reading a bit about the issues and problems of Kashmir valley and various national and international intelligence reports. And what happened in the end, as recent as 9th July was that, intelligence data and phone intercepts suggests that these violence were instigated either by separatists or by external forces. Earlier reports also showed the presence of paid stone palters in the mob. Now I would not argue that all the violence are caused by these inhumane elements, but of course some of them are which is basically aimed at strengthening Anti-India feelings, separatist ideologies and last but most heinous way of sacrificing their own youth for gains in the game of power. I pity the poor Kashmiri youth and martyrs who have become shaeed for a power game may it be in the (died in the hands of) hands of CRPF or in the hands of terrorists. Today’s Kashmiri youth are blinded by false claims and stupid ideologies of separatist leaders. It is even sadder that holy Mosques are used as grounds for assembling youth, fueling anger and hatred and instilling violence in the minds of the youth. Even the Holy God will not forgive such sinners!
Now it is time for me to discuss one of the most important issue – why were so many human rights violation in Kashmir by CRPF or Indian Armed forces. Was firing the only way to disperse an outrageously angry stone-pelting mob. Many might claim that in rest of India, such a situation is dealt with utmost care and using more peaceful ways. The recent Bharat Bandh caused a loss of Rs.1500 crore or more to the Govt of India, but there were zero casuatities and zero deaths. I would like to answer most of these worries and false claims by idiotically blind followers of the valley. You may take any records from across the country, may it be the emergency proclaimed by great Indira Gandhi to removal of tribals from illegally occupied forest lands in kerala to telengana issue to the current moist issue. Anytime the mob has taken adverse steps against the law enforcement agencies, deaths and casualities have happened. One of my friends asked me.. “why are maoists treated more softly”. My immediate response was.. If CRPF treat kashmiris like maoists, then shoot at sight would have been the option and this would have wiped out youth of the whole of Kashmir after first couple of protests. I was in fact astonished that he was unhappy that a few people were treated in a softer way. So is your mind so rotten that you enjoy a painful death of another human who is not from your valley? May be this is what the propagators of separatist idea and terrorism and the recent history of violence engraved in their minds and souls that they have lost basic humanitarian concepts over any other person outside their boundaries. This very reason is the culpable reason for so many deaths in the valley, which is enshrined as Shaheed. You, people of Kashmir, you protesters listen to it sound and clear and give this a thought: “Treat others the way how u expect others to treat you”. CRPF Jawans are also humans made in flesh and blood like every one of you. If you do not give them basic respect and treat them like humans and start pelting stones at them what do you expect them to do? Sit and receive all the stones and count them and take it back home? No, for such protests, the use of force is common anywhere in India or the rest of the world (recent happenings in Thailand, Greece and China are best examples). Peaceful protests anywhere in the country are free of stone pelting for your kind information and sometimes even such protests are dealt with force when its essential for restoring peace and normalcy. Think for once before you throw a stone and think how it would feel if someone throws stone at you. Now with all the reports of violence being instigated by separatists, it’s a question, how many of them actually die of CRPF firings!
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
1) Give partial autonomy to Kashmir or turn it into a union territory.
2) Plumb in more revenue and developmental funds for better life and preservation of culture and heritage.
3) Improve employment and create more jobs so that stone-palters get better jobs.
4) Abolish article 370.
5) Don’t even think of reviewing Armed Force Special Power act.
7) Ban separatist parties, people show still think of going against the country should be stripped off their nationality.
To me the cause of this whole Kashmir issue can be brought down to two major points “RELIGIONS DIVIDE AND INTOLERANCE TO OTHER RELIGION(S)” and “GREED FOR POWER BY POLITICAL/SEPARATIST PARTIES”. If not for this, I would like to know what is that makes Kashmiris demand a separate statehood.
I should applaud your attempt to have a look at this long standing issue- Kshmir. you have given good historical background but failed to look deeper. Kashmir was a princely state even after the independence of india. It was under the dogra ruler HAri Singh...who was known for his cruelty and high taxes, work without money...and his cruelty did not even spare a britisher-Robert Thorpe, who raised voice against this opression and was killed.The ruler also slaughtered around 60 persons at same time who were demanding release of some people captured by the maharaja by force. So as to speak, Kashmir oppression. Resentment aginst him started on the same basis as india fought against the british- Cruelty, issue is not just from the 1990´s.
ReplyDeleteNext after the partition, tribals from pakistan did attack KAshmir and that was when Indian army help was sought on condition that till kashmiris become able to defend themselves, army will stay. This was under Nehru. Afetr the war, when both countries approached UN, which paased a resolution that the future status of the kashmir should be determined on the wish of the people- or in simple terms Plebicite should take place, which unfortunately India never followed.
Then comes the cae of deveopment. If you go to kashmir and any other place in JK, then you will notice the conditions. Kashmir has always been negelected in terms of development. Jammu can compete with any other city in terms of development.Why has been kashmir neglected ??
ReplyDeleteHave you heard of the indus water treaty..why did india make a such discriminatory treaty which does not allow kashmir to use water from rivers which flow through it and india can use water from other three rivers flowing through punjab..Why kashmir doesnt get power generated from its waters..these are the things which add fuel to this fire.
Then you had said that maoists and naxals are different than militants in kashmir. I say whats the difference.. Maoist kill people, so do naxals. its amazing how even national parties support these extremists and still india is silent over this issue. Just in last month, naxals and maoists killed over 100 crpf and still nothing was done. Why ? arent crpf fighting them human and those in kashmir are human. why is protests in india treated softly, the recent india bandh in which over 800 buses were burnt, 1500cr loss and may police personnel injured and yet none of the protestors was arrested or shot. Why is the case of kashmiri pundits always used, while muslim exodus from gujrat is unnoticed. Why the killings in gujarat go unnoticed. Why Kashmir is discriminated in every sense. why is muslim terrorism always seen, while all proven cases against RSS and bajrang dal are unnoticed. Why is bodo army not considered terrorists while people fights against opression in kashmir are labeled terrorists. why does media only hightlight false cases and news...there is much more to write but time does not permit me now but i still want to ask...DOES THIS COME NATURAL TO INDIAN GOVT. OR IS THIS JUST COMMUNAL POLITICS ITS PLAYING...
Till the 90 you dont hear any news of any militancy or freedom struggle breaking out. But soon, people realised their situatuion hasnt changed. It was the same as under the dogra ruler, Cruel and opression. People were killed just for no reason. The amount of forces that poured in could have won 100 wars for India. Then the vicious cycle of killings started. Many might not have heard the killings in srinagar (you must have raed in the book i ave you)..Killings and rape of women by indian army went unreported. enjoying total freedom under AFSPA, they haunted each and every kashmiri.
ReplyDeleteYou have raised the question of Kashmiri Pundits, so let me tell you. Its obvious when you have power (GUN) some wayward incidents where pundits were killed do happen, which i strongly condemn, the then Governor Jagmohan told them to leave Kashmir. So the majority (Muslims)forcing the pundits to leave is out of question. In whole of india, Jk is the only place where you wud have seen different religions living peacefully. If it was a case of religious war, then only muslims wud have lived in kashmir which is not true. Sikhs are a big part of kashmir but nothing hapenned to them, so are the christians. and still a large population of pundits still lives happily in kashmir. Next if you ask that pundits had to leave everything, they were heavily paid and relocated by indian govt. just to make them side with the govt. which has hapened.
Human rights violation is the root cause for al the struggle. A unofficial number of people dead in Kashmir has been put to 150,000 while almost 40,000 have been reported as dissapeared after arrest by police and army. out of these, alomost 99% arekashmiri muslims. If my friend you say that after this much death, you should lay low and not protest, then your conscience has died.
There is not only the HR case but many other secondary cases which add to the whole resentment. ask any kashmiri ( muslim, sikh or pundit) living in kashmir how they feel in everyday life. They all will answer- like a prisoner. with army all around, most of whom have not passed even class 8, you cant live like a normal human being. Random unwarranted checks, house checks, arrests, fake encounters...its all happening in kashmir. Imagine, somebody bursting through your door in middle of night, and arresting you brother of dad, without any warrant, and then you dont know his fate for years to come. How would you feel...or think if police rapes some women in your place ans walk scott free...how would that feel.
Dear buddy, I must tell you that your knowledge about the history of kashmir is little impoverished! The power from King Hari was seeded to Sheikth Abdulla in 1948 or 1949! N You must know that King Hari was a typical princely state ruler, like others who demanded high taxes, but he must be applauded for his secular nature that he collected such high taxes from all the people irrespective of their religion (he was definitely better that aurnagazeeb and others)! Secondly about the plebicide, it will only be kashmiris who might (may be 50%, based on the poll verdicts and coming of omar abdulla govt.) want a separate nationhood, definitely not the rest of J&K. You will have to agree with this!And if total of J&K verdict on the plebicide is taken, the kashmiris will have to just shut their mouth and sit at home that is tha same reason why nor PDP or HC od NC is seeking separate nation hood for J7K. The reason why PDP, HC and other separatists are playing this kind of dirty game only in kashmir, not esle where in J7K. Also, PDP even in Kerala is under scanner for pak-sponsored terror! The book which you had given me itself says how the youth mof Kashmir was drwn into militansy, and how they killed their own people. It also says how kashmiris were warm to pak based terrorists. May be u opted to be silent about it because its routine for you and you too might be for it! In such a situation where even the civilians of the kashmir support terrorists and are terrorists by them selves, which is also a threat for rest of India, how can the military seek out only the terrorists??? Kashmir was and is one of the most common rouits for pak terrorists for entering India. This has been shown not only by RAW but also by UK's and USA's intelligence agency! Ok.. Now please do not tell me they are anti-Islamic and they are crap! I will not buy that shit!
ReplyDeleteNow when it comes to Kashmiri pundiths, u can tone wdown so much?? OH the governer asked them to move out, so they moved out! cut the crap dude. There has been mass murder of pundiths by both Kashmiris, by separatists and by the pak-based/backed terrorists. Please do not tell me that they went out of kashmir and took refuge in rest of India and Jammu by leaving all their earned wealth because of Governer's advice. Nor any books nor any records in history does it say that Kashmiri Pundits were a part of Separatist movement. Their presence in Kashmir would just tone down the separatist movement and hence it was required for the ill forces to drive them out of kashmir. It might be a separatist idea or a part of the Pak-based terrorists's master plan. This is where the true nature, color and wickedness of kashmiri separatist movement comes into light and the same reason why none speaks about displaced kashmiri pundits! If what you said is aht had happened, then, there would have been programs by separatists to comfort and rehabilitate displaced kashmiri pundits. Why hasnt such a move ever come so far??
ReplyDeleteThen to talk about some random figuer that you have given about the people who are missing.. It is proved beyond arguement that Kashmiri youth by and at large were drawn to Jihadistic Ideas and had migrated to PoK.. so do you have a record of that. If these people are killed while re entering J&K, I would say it was for the good. Jihadists have done nothing good for the world! On this note, so do not blame it on the army especially when there are no records for the migrant Kashmiri youth to PoK!
About kashmir being neglected, the Jihadists and terrorists andthe separatists burn and blast any thing that is being constructively done, then why should the government make any investment there. I can give u an example, why is Kerala still economically very week with respect to tamil nadu which has only near 70% literacy? The reason is kerala has more trade unions and strikes, which can negate industrial growth. Similarly, Srinagar and Kashmir are very volatile, so its not unusual!!!
N the Indus water treaty is between India and Pakistan, I think you must read more about and you will know. There are water treaties between India n Bangladesh as well. If a river runs through your place, it does not mean its only for you! That would be being selfish! There are several reasons for this. Even if Kashmir was a separate state, it cannot do anything , but be a signatory of the treaty!
ReplyDeleteDude, Kshmir doesn even produce 5% of India's power then what the crap are u boasting off? How many power plants are there in Kashmir?? Now please exclude J&K, we are talking about Kshmir! Also, In India not all states produce power, but all the states gets it from the central power grid. Its one Nation!
For most of your queries I have very clearly discussed it on my blog, its either that you dint read it fully or that its beyond your realms of you understanding and thinking.
I have also discussed the difference between Kashmiri militants and Maoists.. I have said what would have happened if kashmiri militants are treated like maoists. Then about Godhra, dude it was acommunal riot that was started by Muslims and then it was killing spree by the so called Hindu fanatics. Dont you think retaliation is a human nature??? The loses are on both minority side and majority side. Please do not forget that there are regions in this country where Muslims are majority and Hindus are minority, so not always a communal riot can lead to minority loses. I dont understand why people does not think this point of view at all?? The trials regarding this are under progress and its been seen and accepted by international community. So is the case of Kandhmal riots. If hanging of terrorist Afsal guru even after the SC judgement can take 5 years, I think we can wait for law to take its own course! I would even say ( I condemn at the same time) that the current Hindu- terror out fit is a result of continuous terroristic attacks by Islamic jihad forces. So does that mean, Like you I must appreciate them as its a mere retaliation???
You upload news by Indian media that highlight Military being accused and you agree with them and uploud them, But when it comes to reports on separatists and terrorists instigating violance, you condemn them??? Is it natural that you can only agree with your point of views and what has been installed in your head by the people of your society??? Dont you consider rest of them as humans??? Now I know you will go back to the same old stories with out even thinking about what I have written because all these are mere allegations made out of thin air! I would like you to atleast agree with the following:
1) Not all cases of human rights violation are done by CRPF
2) Not all protests are genuine, a part of it is also provoked and instigated.
3) Situation in Kashmir is better than in 1990's
4) Human values should also be applicable to CRPF