Kashmir Issue

Since the partition of subcontinent in 1947 into two independent states, Pakistan and India, the political situation in the region has been volatile. Both these countries have strained relations and have fought two major wars resulting in the cession East Pakistan. The real bone of contention between the two countries is Kashmir. The people of Kashmir has expressed their desire to accede to Pakistan but India creates hurdles in the fulfillment of their desire.

The state of Jammu and Kashmir came into existence in 1848. Gulab Sing, Dogra Rajpot, bought it for Rs 7500000, from Lord Lawrence. The has an area of 84,471 square miles. It has 902 miles long border with Pakistan and with India 317 miles only. The three main river of Pakistan, namely, the indus, the Jehlum and the chenab are their sources in Kashmir. The two roads that link Kashmir with the rest of the world also lie through Pakistan. More than 80% of the people of Jammu and Kashmir are Muslims. Thus geographically, culturally, economically and religiously Kashmir is an integral part of Pakistan. But India has never accepted this fact. The result is that Kashmir has become an apple of discord between Pakistan and India.

The Kashmiris were leading a miserable life. They were treated as slaves. They had no status in society. They were always at the mercy of the Dogras and the Hindus of the state. The result of this suppression and oppression was that people of Jammu and Kashmir stood against the Maharaja's rule in 1930. The Mahraja's tried to suppress this movement. He succeeded in crushing the rebellions for the time being, but he could not succeed in sowing the seed of love in the hearts of the Kashmir for the Hindus.

According to the partion plan of June 3, 1847, it was decided that on the withdrawal of British power the Indian states would be free to join either India or Pakistan or remain independent. Lord Mountbatten advised the princes of those states to accede to India or to Pakistan bearing in mind three main point:

1) The geographical position of the state.

2) The composition of the population.

3) The wishes of the people.

Had this advise been acted upon, Kashmir would have become a part of Pakistan. But the Mahraja's Hari Sing ignored the wishes of the people and entered into conspiracy with Hindu leadership in Delhi and acceded to India.

Mahraja's conspiracies against the Muslim majority unleashed the feelings of annoyance and revolt. But India's urge to maintain her hegemony over other states has blinded her to all norms of justice and co-existence. It kept its control on Kashmir through selfish, insincere and faithless leaders like Sheikh Abdullah and his stooges.

The Kashmir dispute cannot be solved unless the Indian government changes its attitude and comes to the conference table with an open mind. The people of Kashmir should be given the right to decide their future by themselves. And if they decide to establish their own independent state acceding neither to India nor to Pakistan, both Pakistan and India should accept their decision open heartedly.