Thursday, 19 July 2012

Kashmir Issue & It's Solution


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
 % Muslim
 % Hindu
 % Buddhist
 % Other
~4 million
95%
4%*
~3 million
30%
66%
4%
~0.25 million
46%
50%
3%
~2.6 million
100%
~1 million
99%
§  Statistics from the BBC In Depth report.

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




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