WHY KASHMIR ISSUE IS STILL UNRESOLVED? By: Muhammad Shoaib Khan

Spread the love

Pakistan and India have been rivals since partition of Sub Continent. There were 500 princely states including Kashmir in British India. Maharaja executed the legal document of Instrument of Accession. At the time of partition, it was at the discretion of Maharaja Hari Singh to decide for Kashmir being part of Pakistan or India. According to a referendum held in British India, it was mutually decided that Muslim majority areas will go with Pakistan whereas Hindu majority areas will go with India and princely states will be considered as separate entity. But Since then India doing propaganda that Kashmir is their integral part, under which Indian security forces conducted military operations against locals in the region.

This resource filled piece of land is occupied by India, the so called biggest democracy of the world. Unfortunately, for last seven decades,the valley is undersiege of Indian security forces and HR violations are ongoing. But no particular action has been taken by the international community except only condemnation of Indian brutalities.

Muhammad Ali Jinnahvisited Kashmir at least four times before partition. His first visit in 1926 was considered private, but practically, this visionary leader had used this visit to assess the socio-economic condition of the people of Kashmir, under the cruel rule of Maharaja Hari Singh. Indeed, there was no political awakening in the State, nor could Kashmiris form political parties. Once some renowned Kashmiris dared to submit a memorandum to the Viceroy of India, demanding the reforms in the educational and economic sectors, and to redress the grievances of Kashmiri masses, as a result the Dogra Government victimized and tortured them like anything.

It is universally known that Jammu and Kashmir was forcefully taken by India. According to UN resolutions, right of plebiscite should be given to the people of Kashmir so they decide their future. Kashmir issue remained unresolved till now. In 2019, Indian govt revoked article 370 and 35(a) from its constitution that ended special status of Kashmir Later, BJP led Indian government did demographic changes, allotted lands to Hindus and made new constituencies in the valley so that legally Kashmir could be taken in control. 

In 2004, Musharraf proposed that Kashmir should be demilitarized and that internal independence for Kashmiris is important, but India rejected to do so. Current Pakistan government tried to initiate dialogue with India on Kashmir dispute by sending peace gestures several times but in return India tried to challenge Pakistan sovereignty by attacking Balakot. Pakistan gave befitted response and shot down two IAF fighter jets and arrested one pilot from its territory. Later as a peace gesture Pakistan released IAF pilot which was somehow taken as weakness of Pakistan.

Peace plans were given in the past as well, the most important of them was given byMr. Nehruin 1948. He suggested that both countries (Pakistan and India) should step back from the war zone and for the issue to be resolved through plebiscite. Both parties agreed to do so under the umbrella of the UN but later on India refused. One of the reasons behind this was that the Indian constitution gave special status to Kashmir whereas Mission 44, was to secure 44 seats in Kashmir assembly out of 87 and make Kashmir its part. It was another Indian government plan to make Jammu and Kashmir an official part of India.

Due to this uncertain situation, it seems that the people of Kashmir will fight for their freedom until their last breath. Especially after the martyrdom ofBurhan Wani, the freedom movement of Kashmir again started with full devotion and spirituality. For antagonizing this movement, ongoing Indian brutalities are getting worse, violating all the UN resolutions. This time, Indian troops are using ballot guns against Kashmiris getting them handicapped.

The primacy of international law to resolve Kashmir conflictis important, for this purposeawareness regarding responsibility of international community to prevent war crimes in Indian occupied Kashmir is necessary. Moreover,massive killings of Kashmiris, separatist movement, demographic changes and threat of nuclear war in the region are other factors that should be addressed on immediate basis so that issue could be resolved through table talk rather than force could be used by Indian military.So far serious indications regarding restrictions on freedom of press, HRVs and genocides have been found by international organizations but nothing has been done to stop these violations.

The world should acknowledge freedom movement of Kashmir and force India to end brutal killings in the region. The right of plebiscite should be given to them so they can have a better future, because it is the right of every human being to live in a better way.
UN resolutions on Kashmir have not been implemented. It seems as if the UN is failing to implement them and its obligations are only for weak or third world countries instead of major powers of the world.75 years have been passed and the issue of Jammu and Kashmir is still unresolved. Pakistan raising voice for Kashmir at every international platform and may be one day right of plebiscite will be given to people of Kashmir

Kashmir is situated in northern geographical region of South Asia. Until the mid-19th century, the term “Kashmir” represents only the valley between the Great Himalayas and PirPanjal mountain range. Today, the boundaries have spread over a larger area that includes the Indian-administered territory subdivided intoJammu,Kashmir andLadakhdivisions. The dynamics and demographics of this region are very different. It is considered an imperative part of Pakistan, as founder of Pakistan termed Kashmir asjugular vein.

The Indian government promises attention to Kashmiri concerns, but there’s no sign of genuine political initiative. Delhi seems to have decided it can simply contain the insurgency and ride out any political turbulence. The Kashmir issue does not sway many votes in Indian elections, and the level of international concern is low,  meaning there’s no great pressure on India to resolve a problem which has festered ever since independence seven decades ago.

Writer is Scholar and media analysts, feedback can be sent on m.shoaib_khan@live.com

Post Disclaimer

Disclaimer: WHY KASHMIR ISSUE IS STILL UNRESOLVED? By: Muhammad Shoaib Khan - Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect Latheefarook.com point-of-view

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *