KASHMIR –
Territory Conflict between India,
Pakistan & China by Qaiser
Shahzad
Kashmir
! A beautiful land, also known as ‘Heaven on Earth’. But unfortunately since
last 6 decades this beautiful heavenly heaven land is a territorial
dispute between 3 nuclear powers i.e.
1. Pakistan
2. India
3. China
The Kashmir Conflict
arises from the Partition
of British India in 1947 into
modern India and Pakistan. Both the countries have made claims to Kashmir,
based on historical developments and religious affiliations of the Kashmiri
people. The state of Jammu
and Kashmir, which lies strategically in the north-west of the subcontinent,
bordering Afghanistan and China, was a princely state ruled by Maharaja Hari Singh under the paramountcy of British
India. In geographical and legal terms, the Maharaja could have joined either
of the two new Dominions. Although urged by the Viceroy, Lord Mountbatten of Burma, to
determine the future of his state before the transfer of power took place,
Singh demurred. In October 1947, incursions by Pakistan took place leading to a war, as a result of which the state of Jammu and Kashmirremains
divided between the two countries.
India and Pakistan have
fought at least three wars over Kashmir, including the Indo-Pakistani Wars of 1947, 1965 and1999. India and Pakistan
have also been involved in several skirmishes
over the Siachen Glacier.
Administered
by
|
Area
|
Population
|
|
|
|
%
Other
|
|
|
|
~4 million
|
95%
|
4%*
|
–
|
–
|
|
|
~3 million
|
30%
|
66%
|
–
|
4%
|
|
|
~0.25 million
|
46%
|
–
|
50%
|
3%
|
|
|
|
~2.6 million
|
100%
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
|
|
~1 million
|
99%
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
|
|
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
|
|
United Nations Security
Council Resolution 47, adopted on April 21, 1948, after hearing
arguments from both India and Pakistan the Council increased the size of the
Commission established by United
Nations Security Council Resolution 39 to
five members, instructed the Commission to go to the subcontinent and help the governments of India and
Pakistan restore peace and order to the region and prepare for a plebiscite to
decide the fate of Kashmir.
The resolution recommended
that in order to ensure the impartiality of the plebiscite Pakistan withdraw
all tribesmen and nationals who entered the region for the purpose of fighting
and that India leave only the minimum number of troops needed to keep civil
order. The Commission was also to send as many observers into the region as it
deemed necessary to ensure the provisions of the resolution were enacted.
Pakistan ignored the UN mandate and continued fighting, holding on to the
portion of Kashmir under its control. Subsequently
India refused to implement the plebiscite claiming the withdrawal of Pakistan
forces was a prerequisite as per this resolution. In 1990 after nearly four decades,
the United States changed its position and is no longer urging a plebiscite in
Kashmir, saying the dispute should be settled through direct negotiations
between India and Pakistan.
Current situation of
Kasmir:
Srinagar city (capital of
JAMMU AND KASMIR) had politically been exploited by the ruling NC for more than
six decades the party had failed to respond to its growing needs of
development. She said most of the city has been degenerated into a slum,
traffic problem have assumed dimensions of a crisis and if the government is
not able to manage the streets how can it address larger issues? She said the
dog menace is threatening lives of the people and scores of them are getting
bitten every day and it seems the government is enjoying the plight of the
people with whose eight representatives in the assembly and one in the
parliament, the NC is enjoying luxuries of power.
Solution:
In my view the best solution to Kashmir question is a
united and democratic Kashmir with Kashmiriyat at the heart of its political
and governance philosophy (secularism) and regional autonomy for all the
regional and administrative components of Kashmir state. However, if the
majority of certain regions of Kashmir do not want to stay with the state and
prefer joining India or Pakistan or China then democratically speaking no one
should stop them. In relation to this form of self-determination that can be
described as 'multiple self-determination' or 'grassroots self-determination'
or 'self-determination from below', one question, however, remains to be
answered.
Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti has said the party’s Self-Rule vision has
emerged as the only viable solution of the Kashmir issue and it was already
being implemented on ground.
I agree with Mehbooba
mufti because a land which is a dispute between Indian & Pakistan since 64
years and none of both countries ready to withdraw its claim, so it’s better to
give right to Kashmiri’s to go for an independent state. This will help all
three countries in trade and joining hands together for a prosper Asia.
Even as Pakistan &
India are peace dialogues, they can govern Kashmir mutually. This idea might
not click many people but at least it’s better to come out with some solutions.
India & Pakistan both are spending a lot on defence budget and can’t give
priority to poverty and illiteracy.
Sources: Wikipedia, B.B.C, The Nation
& The Hindu.
Blog by:
Qaiser Shahzad
Former Minister for Information Technology
Youth Parliament of Pakistan
Director of Registry
Former Director of Events
International Youth Congress iYC
Secretary
General
Re-Evolve Pakistan
