The last time I visited Kashmir, in November, I was struck by an apparent contradiction: it was more peaceful than it had been in years, at least in the capital Srinagar, and yet the overwhelming mood was one of gloom. With the peace process between India and Pakistan going nowhere, there was a sense that thousands of people had died for nothing in the violence that had convulsed the region since a separatist revolt erupted in 1989. Although the soldiers had disappeared from the streets of Srinagar, and tourists were flocking back, it retained the some of the same tinderbox atmosphere that I had known at the height of the violence. One spark, people told me, could ignite it again.
When that spark came, in the form of a land dispute between Hindus and Muslims that triggered some of the biggest protests since 1989 (you can see my last posting on this here), the surprise was perhaps not so much that it happened but that so few analysts in Delhi (or Islamabad for that matter) saw it coming.
The sheer size and unexpectedness of the protests have prompted some Indian analysts to ask a question that has been anathema in Delhi for decades: Is it time to consider giving Kashmir independence, or at least to let Kashmiris vote on their future?
“If the experience of the last two decades has taught us anything, it is that the situation never really returns to normal. Even when we see the outward symptoms of peace, we miss the alienation and resentment within. No matter what we do, things never get better, for very long,” writes Vir Sanghvi in the Hindustan Times.
“I reckon we should hold a referendum in the Valley. Let the Kashmiris determine their own destiny. If they want to stay in India, they are welcome. But if they don’t, then we have no moral right to force them to remain. If they vote for integration with Pakistan, all this will mean is that Azad Kashmir will gain a little more territory. If they opt for independence, they will last for about 15 minutes without the billions that India has showered on them. But it will be their decision,” he writes.
“Whatever happens, how can India lose? If you believe in democracy, then giving Kashmiris the right to self-determination is the correct thing to do. And even if you don’t, surely we will be better off being rid of this constant, painful strain on our resources, our lives, and our honour as a nation? This is India’s century. We have the world to conquer -the other- and the means to do it. Kashmir is a 20th century problem. We cannot let it drag us down and bleed us as we assume our rightful place in the world. It’s time to think the unthinkable.”
The Times of India runs an editorial along similar lines. ”I was once hopeful of Kashmir’s integration, but after six decades of effort, Kashmiri alienation looks greater than ever. India seeks to integrate with Kashmir, not rule it colonially. Yet, the parallels between British rule in India and Indian rule in Kashmir have become too close for my comfort,” writes columnist Swaminathan Aiyar.
“We promised Kashmiris a plebiscite six decades ago. Let us hold one now, and give them three choices: independence, union with Pakistan, and union with India. Almost certainly the Valley will opt for independence. Jammu will opt to stay with India, and probably Ladakh too. Let Kashmiris decide the outcome, not the politicians and armies of India and Pakistan,” he concludes.
For two such reputable columnists to make a suggestion like this in national newspapers is extraordinary. India has long maintained that Kashmir is an integral part of the country. It has argued that giving up Kashmir would encourage secessionist movements elsewhere in the country and undermine its commitment to secularism by acknowledging that Kashmir, as a Muslim-majority region, could have special treatment. And it has traditionally blamed Pakistan for stirring up trouble in the region, convinced that if only Islamabad could be persuaded to end what it called “cross-border terrorism”, the benefits of Indian democracy and financial support would eventually win the people of Kashmir over.
Of course, a couple of op-eds calling for a plebiscite in Kashmir does not mean it is going to happen. The issue is phenomenally complicated, not least because the much-vaunted U.N. resolutions passed in 1948 calling for a referendum were meant to apply to the whole of the former kingdom of Jammu and Kashmir, now divided between India, Pakistan and China. The people were to be given the choice between acceding to India or Pakistan, but not of independence; while the resolution also required that Pakistan withdraw its troops first from its side of the region, followed by the bulk of the Indian forces, before a plebiscite were held.
And any vote, even within the Indian part of the former kingdom, could stir up bitter divisions between and within the three regions that make up the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir – Hindu-dominated Jammu, Muslim-dominated Kashmir and Buddhist- dominated Ladakh — that would dwarf the recent protests. Pakistan would also be faced with tough choices over how to handle the people on its side of the former kingdom, including Azad Kashmir and the strategic Northern Areas.
However, they do suggest a new thinking in India, which, determined to win its place as a global player on the political and economic stage, no longer wants to be dragged down by the Kashmir conflict. The question is whether this new thinking — coming at a time when Pakistan is struggling to reinvent itself as a civilian democracy — could contribute to a genuine effort towards a durable peace. Or will it simply make an intractable problem even more complicated?
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Remove article 370 and all will be well in the Kashmir valley.
- Posted by IndianKashmir is integral part of India. Anyone suggests otherwise is living in dreams. India is at peace with the status quo. Latest stir about land to amarnath board is a public stunt created to provoke people in kashmir at the election time and get votes. Pleople of Kashmir should realize that they are playing in hands of these politicians who has not been to the shrine in their lifetime. I am a hindu but urging my fellow hindus of Jammu that do not block the roads and movements of crops of poor farmers. Its their only way to make a living. If you really want to pray for Lord Shiva, you don’t need to go to Amarnath to pray. Shiva lives everywhere. You can pray from your own home. Why create noise and bloodshed. I am sure Lord Shiva is not going to please if you get that piece of land after this much blooodshed.
- Posted by Mota bhaiReason for Holding Kashmir is not Because we as Indians will Die if there were not Kashmir.Reason is Critical to very existance of Modern India.
Congress Always Maintained that Hindus and Muslims can live togather as one Country.Gandhiji was Instrumental in making Hindus of India agree to Keep 6% Mulsim Population in India.So the Question was All Muslim Majority States opted for Pakistan.India’s Right RSS,always maintained that there should be no division of INDIA.If there were to be a Division it has to be complete.All Hindus should be in India All Muslims should go to Pakistan.
Congress party argument with help from Gandhiji was ,”India is Secular Because Hindus and Muslims live happily in country”.But RSS maintained,the moment Muslims of India are majority they will break away.Kashmir was Show Piece for Secularists in India.It was kashmir which Secularist in India show as example to show India also has Muslim Majority state,but is part of India.(Kashmiri’s never Felt Indian though,and they made it clear).
Congress tried to use Kashmir to Convince Hindus with this Example.If Kashmir were to Become Indipendent,then Whole question of Hindu Muslim unit theory of Congress stand Hollow.So it proves RSS right that India during partition should ahve completed Hindu Muslim division.
If tomorrow Kerala were to Become Muslim Majority,they could also want indipendence.next Assam..
If Kashmir were to Go,so will unity of India based on flawed theory.India then will surely be divided based on Religion
- Posted by IndianThis is the right time that India rethink of its policy viz-a-viz Kashmiris. We KASHMIRIS have never opposed Yatra, infact it has been going on in this region for 200 years now. But the fact is that Kashmiris have never assiciated themselves with India.The mass uprising on the streets of KAshmir should serve as an eye opener for the GOI.
- Posted by Tabzeer YaseenIt is simpler to give police water cannons and riot control gear than to hold a dumb plebiscite when all the conditions for plebiscite have been violated for more than six decades, massive migration, population displacement, infiltration etc. When these thugs hold demonstrations, it is simpler and peaceful to control them by using water cannons and riot gear. This is done all over the world. DO not use guns to control demonstrations. No killing or maiming of people. Use riot control gear. Use brains. No need to redraw boundaries.
- Posted by u_s_aplease understand its election time in India(state and centre) and be prepared for a lot of excitement but ultimately in the long run the more things change the more they remain the same.nothing will happen.I am pretty sure when push comes to shove even pakistan will not part with its kashmir.
and please pakis human rights violations?you mean like the ones in balochistan,nwfp,hudood ordinance,etc etc,those who live in glass houses…
- Posted by Shantanu ChatterjeeKashmir is part of India and it will always remain so. Few chicken hearted coloumnist’s view does not change the resolve of people of India to alter the status of Kashmir.
India has sound logic to see kashmir as an integral part of the the country.
India is a secular state and it has never accepted two nation theory of Mr. Jinna, according to which hindus and muslims can not co-exists.
Today few kashmiri and their pakistani supporter are asking for the independence / merger of kashnir based on this two nation theory. The day India accept the independence or merger of Kashmir with pakistan, it will be esteblished that India has accepted the two nation theory, and then there will be no option but to transfer the 15 crore muslims living in India to pakistan.
By Not accepting two nation theory india has done favour to these 15 crore muslims. But if pakistan think that where ever muslims are in majority in India there two nation theory to be applied and wher ever they are in minority they should remain in India, it is not possible.
India will either be a secular nation, Which means kasmir will be part of India or it will be a Hindu state, which mean 15 crore muslims of India will have to leave India.
Let all those supporters of plebecite / independence / merger with pakistan of kashmir decide, what they want. Choice is theirs.
- Posted by MANOJWhat about the .7 million Kashmiri Pandits , the original inhabitants of Kashmir. Don’t they have any claim on the land? They too have been asking for a separate land under the Union govt. of India. Shouldn’t the editors break the taboo and talk about them also.
- Posted by RajeshWell, the resolution of the long pending Kashmir dispute is inevitable now. The desire of the people is quite loud and clear. Jammu & Kashmir is divided along communal lines and it is quite natural that Kashmir comprising predominantly of Muslims would like to merge in Pakistan. Independence would not mean much because it cannot be sustained in the long run.
Ultimately, the ruling UPA in Delhi is to be blamed for loss of Kashmir since it failed to intervene timely in resolving the dispute in lines with its so called “secular stand”. Now it is fair that the people of Kashmir should have their say i.e., whether to stay in India or merge with Pakistan or form an independent country.
Strategically the loss of Kashmir does not augur well for India since India would loss the advantage of geography. In the future scenario India would be required to deploy increased military personnel in Jammu, which as of now seems to be staying back in India on account of religious attachments. Ultimately this would mean a vigorous arms race in South Asia having wider global implications.
- Posted by SreejitKashmiri leaders stamped by the Government of India have created a myth that Amarnath yatra is only 100 years old while sacred yatra has a history of thousands of years.
The half literate Kashmiri leaders say that the yatra is only 100 year old is not based on facts as Kashmir has its own history of over 5000 years. Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh’s statement on the issue who too echoed the same statement was also misleading the people on Amarnath yatra.
It is to inform that the “Maliks” are not “Gujjars” as propagated and the books referred have been translated in English by the Britishers during their rule in India.
The yatra finds its mention in Neelmat puraan and at the end of Afghan rule in 1819, Hardas Tickoo was the first Kashmiri Hindu who made the arrangements for yatra by donating Rs two lakh for the same. Later Mahant Atwar Giri Ji Mahraj came forward to take the holy mace to cave shrine. This tradition is today followed by Mahant Depinder Giri, he added.
The present controversy is nothing but a gameplan of separatists supported by mainstream politicians to limit the influx of yatra to few thousands and this is the reason that controversy plagued the yatra after coalition Government headed by Mufti Mohammed Sayeed came to power in 2002, who is a known fundamentalist and a rukn of Jamaat-e-Islami having close relationship with separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Kashmiris have become an intolerant society and exodus of 4 lakh Kashmiri Hindus and now non-Kashmiris is a clear example of their comunal and exclusivist thinking.
- Posted by Ritu Singhkasshmir should be made just like nepal ,either country
- Posted by nanoopeople should visit without passports.
kashmir should be made just like nepal and both countries can visit wih out passport
- Posted by nanooKashmir- India – Pakistan - Amarnath shrine – UNO
- Posted by MoharkanAllotment of land to Amarnath shrine board is a non-issue. The site of Shiva Lingam was discovered by a Muslim Family (Malik’s), who took care of the place for more than a century. Episodes of 1931, 1947, 1965 and militancy from 1989 onwards did not disturb the smooth conduct of yatra as it was being managed locally with active support from local Muslims. Lately state Govt; had appointed D.C. Islamabad (Anantnag) J&K as the Nodal Yatra Officer and Yatries had no complaints under that arrangement. Vagary of weather in 1996 which resulted in loss of life was made an excuse for the creation of Shrine Board under chairmanship of Governor, the purpose whereof was un-explainable. Recently Land was allotted temporarily to the shrine board by the state Govt; in good faith but an inefficient and arrogant public servant, Mr. Arun Kumar, the then CEO of the shrine board unnecessarily made some foolish statements in a press conference which were far from facts that created the ugly situation we are facing today. Since Amarnath Shiv ligam is a pious place of Kashmiri Pandits the shrine Board should be reconstituted from the learned priests from this community residing in Kashmir or outside for performance of religious rites by indigenous pandits. No politician from Kashmir, Jammu, New Delhi or elsewhere should be associated with the board. If the State Govt; agree to provide the required logistic support to the yatries, it is not understood as to why anybody should still harp on allotment of land to the shrine board. Discrimination alleged by a section of Jammuvites has nothing to do with the allotment of land to the shrine board. Kashmiri Pandits migrated under a criminal conspiracy by Indian intelligence agencies under stewardship of a criminal Jagmohan, then Governor of J&K for the genocide of Muslims in Kashmir, who were up for attaining freedom. It needs to be understood that J&K State is a disputed territory and the case was taken by India to UNO. Three wars have been fought by the two nuclear countries India & Pakistan and UN passed three resolutions on resolution of Kashmir problem which were accepted by both India & Pakistan. United Nations Military Observers Group (UNMOGIP) is active in J&K for the last sixty years. Kashmiries ask both the countries to implement UN resolutions and full fill their promise of right of Self determination to them guaranteed by UNO as to whether they want to accede to India or Pakistan. Not only Indian people but the entire human civilization more importantly the intelligentsia of world’s political and economic powers needs to understand this factual position. As on date the position is that India & Pakistan both are the occupation forces in their respective administered areas. Statements made either by Indian or Pakistani Govt. Officials or politicians are meaningless unless concrete steps are taken for settlement of the main K issue. As regards raising of pro-pakistan, pro-India, pro-independence slogans or hoisting of the flags of their choice in any part of J&K State by any section of people, this cannot be treated as anti-national or secessionist. Economic blockade of the valley by Amarnath Sangarsh Samiti has been a foolish idea of saffron brigade which has only added fuel to the fire. We should have tolerance for others’ view point. Until and unless the main Kashmir issue is resolved amicably we shall have to face this type of music. We have to mind it that the Kashmir issue cannot be solved militarily but it has to be resolved amicably by India & Pakistan keeping in view the aspirations of all sections and regions of the J&K state. The use of excessive force by Army & CRPF in Kashmir with intention to kill innocent un-armed protestors and special treatment to rowdy fanatics in Jammu with tridents and petrol bombs in their hands enforcing blockade of national highway, causing loss to railways and properties of Muslims and State Govt; speaks volumes about the inner policy of the Govt; of India and no Indian should have grouse as to why every kashmiri male. Female and child is today on the roads demanding for Freedom and opening of Muzafferabad road. We have to understand that we have wasted more than six decades. We should now find a solution to this problem before it is too late. That way we will be doing a great service to the people of India, Pakistan and J&K as we will be saving billions of Rupees on defense which could be conveniently spent for removal of poverty and development of people in this entire region. International community & UNO need to not to be silent spectators and they need to play a positive role for immediate implementation of UN resolutions on Kashmir or finding any other Just and amicable solution to this problem. Mr Ban Ki Moon, Secretary General, UNO should open his eyes and ask for complete details about millions of people who have thronged themselves in front of the office of UNMOGIP in Srinagar Kashmir on 18th August 2008 to present Memoranda addressed to him asking for resolution of Kashmir Problem. Amnesty International, Asia Watch & all Human Rights Organizations are duty bound to check Human rights violations in Kashmir.
people may disagree - but a debate on this “taboo” subject is long overdue and now is as good ( or as bad )a time as any. but, is it sheer co-incidence that on the same day another very respected commentator - Vir Sanghvi has written a column ( Think the Unthinkable ) voicing almost identical views in TOIs rival daily Hindustan Times ?
http://www.ghoses.blogspot.com
- Posted by Sandip[...] the taboo, Indian op-eds suggest Kashmir plebiscite Jump to Comments The captioned post on Reuters’ blog examines at how decades-old taboos are being broken by the mainstream Indian media: “If the [...]
- Posted by Breaking the taboo, Indian op-eds suggest Kashmir plebiscite « Pak Tea HouseI disagree that the Kashmir Region will only last 15 minutes if they choose independence. Do you think the international community will not come to their aid? All of Kashmir has much to offer to the world.
- Posted by TheresaI am surprised by the ease u guys want to give away kashmir to Pakistan.there is no doubt about it that india has always been a loser right from partition,If you look at all the wars you fought with pakistan until Kargil you have lost.Simply because you guys do not have the courage to face the reality.The reality is Your government cannot fight Pakistan who times and again threatens you and you just get scared.if you let go Kashmir,the day willnot be far when Panjab will ask for independance,followed by the rest of the country.
- Posted by prabhakurWhere is that famous saying “From kashmir to Kanyakumari,India is one”.You have lost to the chinese,you are losing to Pakistan.Is it not time to decide to either go out to war and finish this 6 decade old issue once for all?Your politicians are just good to live in false hopes that pakistan will stop bothering you once you give them kashmir.My saying is and i say it loud and firm that the majority of indians would like to say to the kashmiris muslims :if you feel more secure with pakistan,please leave and go to Pakistan and thats it.
You have not mentioned the religious aspect of the issue.If Kashmir becomes annexed with Pakistan,where will the hindus go to offer prayers to their beloved Shivji? In Pakistan?Wake up and rise guys:IF you want PEACE,PREPARE FOR WAR.
India/Pakistan agreed to hold a free election under the supervision of UN way back in 1949, and people of Kashmir are still waiting. The only solution is to hold a free election in Kashmir under international supervision to let Kashmiri people to decide what they wants, a union with Pakistan or India or an independent state. An independent state will also resolve the big throne between India and Pakistan and will provide access to citizens of both countries to enjoy the beauty of Kashmir. It will enhance the trade between these three countries and free the Pakistani and Indian governments to reduce their defense budget and provide more social and health care for their citizens. A win win deal for all parties.
- Posted by DenaliMr. Raja,
Pashtuns are not “barbaric” tribes. They are not more barbaric than you and whatever tribe you belong to. Blame it on the Pashtuns as if it was their fault that Kashmir isn’t an independent country. It is the impotence of India that many conflicts are raging in the region. If India could play the role of a wise “big mama”, there wouldn’t be so many conflicts in and around India.
The Punjabis have always used the simpleminded but brave Pashtun tribes to do their fighting for them. Just because you have lost all wars against the Pashtuns, it doesn’t qualify you to call them “barbaric”.
- Posted by kaburaSo much of this could have been avoided had Pakistan not sent the barbaric Pashtun tribals in 1948. Kashmir would have been independent like Nepal or Bhutan.
The only solution now is to convert the LOC into an International Border.
- Posted by Raja