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Kashmir issue
Caught in the web of claims and counter claims by Pakistan and India, the Kashmir issue remains
unresolved. Each country claims that Kashmir is a necessity for its territorial and national survival and ideological
purity. These claims are often reinforced with partisan interpretation of history and selective evidence. The real
attitude and concrete policies towards the dispute, however, are often governed by perception of short term
“national interests” as defined by dominant political elite of the two countries the interests that apparently are
irreconcilable and non-negotiable.
(Intro of the subject matter)
This has been a complex, volatile and intractable issue which has plagued both countries since
independence in 1947 and it is still a matter of International interest. In many ways, Kashmir is an ethnic, religious
and territorial issue with the potential for strategic and economic gains to India and Pakistan. Both nations
have strong legal and moral claims to Kashmir, which has virtually reconciled itself to accepting the status
quo and has even practically abandoned its insistence on the right of self-determination of the Kashmiris.
The Kashmir issue has also led both counties to use their limited scientific knowledge and skills to develop
weapons of mass destruction exposing them the unimaginable holocaust. The dispute and military activities
related to it have strengthened the pre-existing culture of violence, promoted glorification of material values and
intensified the desire to take revenge from the enemy for the past humiliations. The culture will be a breeding
ground for future conflicts between the two countries. Even if the Kashmir problem, itself is somehow solved.
(Present Situation)
While each side sticks to its claims over Kashmir, the Kashmiri Muslims continue to pay a heavy price for
their defiant struggle against overwhelming odds in order to exercise their right of self-determination. For more
than half a century the Kashmiris are oscillating between uncertainty and destitution. They continue to suffer
misery and repression under illegal Indian occupation and despite a stream of strong words and resolutions passed
by the Security Council the Kashmir issue is still a bone of contention between Pakistan and India. Rather the
situation has taken a quantum leap for the worse.
Indian has conceded the Security Council resolutions vindicating the right of self-determination for the
Kashmiris but has since reneged on its solemn commitment to the international community and the people of
Kashmir. The brutal and blatant Indian repression and state sponsored terrorism against innocent Kashmiri men,
women and children had few parallels in the annals of history. The valley has become a festering sore and the
miseries of the oppressed people of this valley and the “terror let loose” by Indian forces is not less cataclysmic in
nature than that of Jalianwala massacre ordered by infamous General Rex Dyer.
In spite of facing all these hazards, the freedom fighters are exuberant. They have not only caused the
military and political debacle to India but they have also done irreparable damage to Indian’s much touted and
trumpeted secularism. Would it be too much to assume that Kashmir might well be the graveyard of Indian
secularism? Unless sanity prevails to make the present leadership realize the sheer folly of their politico military
aggression against the Kashmiris.
In the name of freedom and self-determination, the Kashmiris are being injured, mutilated and killed,
their women raped, and their children robbed of hope for a better future. The dispute has shattered their
economy polarized their society and festered a culture of violence among the people known for their non-violent
character.
But the Kashmiris are not only the ones who suffer from the adverse consequences of the dispute.
Millions in Pakistan and India are paying a high cost form direct or indirect effects of this issue. Both counties
spend huge and unaffordable resources on defense which could be spent more productively on improving the lot
of their people.
(Genesis)
The genesis of the Kashmir issue is that in August 1947, when partition of the sub-continent took place,
Lord Mountbatten, the viceroy of undivided India, influenced Radcliff into awarding the predominantly Muslim
district of Gurdaspur, situated in the East Punjab, to India. By this treacherous act, admitted by Lord Mountbatten
himself on nationwide British television, the cruel Viceroy not only subjected a Muslim majority area to the cursed
Hindu domination, it also sowed the seed from which could crop up the domination of India on another
predominantly Muslim State Kashmir, because it is only through a narrow strap in the Gurdaspur district that India
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was linked with Kashmir. The canker in no time cropped up into the “Kashmir Problem” that has ever since proved
to be a serious threat to the security of the South Asian region.
(Historical Background)
The Kashmiris have long history of sufferings and oppression, the worst chapter of which was written by
the Dogra rule, particularly from 1931 onwards. Contrary to their hopes the partition of the sub-continent and the
emergence of two new states, instead of ending the woes of Kashmiris, multiplied them. Since then they have
suffered the consequences of three wars, well documented atrocities by the Indian army since 1989 and often
violent activities of the militants, a number of them religiously motivated non Kashmiris.
Since the days of Muslim Mughal Empire, Kashmir has got a prominent Muslim majority population. There
are more than eighty percent Muslims and the Hindu population is less than twenty percent. Unfortunately, on the
fall of Mughal Empire, the State fell to the British East Company in 1840, which sold it to the Sikh traitor “Raja
Gulab Singh” in 1846, as reward for his betrayal of the Sikhs at a very negligible price of Rs. 75 lac. Hence onward
the Muslim population of Kashmir came under continuous torment of the cruel Sikh rulers. They tried to
strengthen their hold on the State with the singular aim of shattering the will of their Muslim subjects, crushing
their religious zeal. They cowed them down into accepting the slavery of the Hindu minority.
Since 1989, a major uprising against Indian rule by the Kashmiri Muslims has changed the face of Kashmir
and a gun culture has converted the paradise into a martyrs' graveyard. However, the September 11 (2001)
incident changed the shape of world politics and in the post nine eleven scenario; Pakistan
launched a new political initiative on Kashmir to reaffirm its long-standing policy of supporting the right of self-
determination for the people of Kashmir. India accused Pakistan of involvement in terrorism, extremism
and militancy, but proactive stance of Islamabad in this regard, put India’s hawks on
the back foot and projected the Kashmir cause as a popular struggle. Moreover, Kashmir is a major flashpoint in
South Asia and it is widely believed that the nuclear dimension in the region has already created a dooms day
scenario and that tension needs to be defused through the active role of external forces. Nevertheless, both
countries have an opportunity to extricate themselves from the dispute by means of an
acceptable solution without any further human and material loss.
(Efforts made by concerned parties)
Pakistan has made a lot of efforts to break the strangled hold of India on Kashmir, including third party’s
mediations but the fate of Kashmiris is still trembling in the balance. The first effort was made when immediate
after partition India airlifted its forces to Srinagar. When Quaid-e-Azam was informed he ordered Incharge of Pak
Army General Gracy, to send forces to Srinagar but the General refused to do so. Mujahideen tried their level best
to capture the valley but they were defeated by Indian army as they were not well equipped and trained.
Then India took this dispute to the Security Council. The Security Council decided that a plebiscite must be
held in Kashmir. At that time India agreed but after sometime she backed out of her promise.
In 1962 Pakistan lost a golden opportunity to conquer Kashmir during Indo-china war. As India requested
President Kennedy of America to influence Pakistan for not taking any step regarding Kashmir during Indo-China
war. Kennedy pressurized Ayub Khan and he accepted the American influence on these conditions that after Indo-
China war America would help in resolving the Kashmir issue through discussion. In this regard after the Indo-China
war Sheikh Abdullah came to Pakistan to initiate some discussion on Kashmir. During his tour of Pakistan Jawahar
Lal Nehru died and he had to rush back.
Ayub Khan tried to atone for his mistake and he prepared five thousand gorillas form army to capture
Kashmir. This operation was given the name of “operation Gibraltar” and it was done in 1965. All these gorillas
caused a lot of destruction in the valley but at least they all were captured or killed by the Indian forces due to lack
of planning. In revenge, India made heavy shelling on Awan Sharif, a village near border. In response to this
incident Pakistani forces along with Azad Kashmir forces crossed the ceasefire line by making official
announcement.
During this war of 1965, at one stage the Pakistani forces advanced up to Akhnoor and they were in a
position to capture Srinagar as well but under Soviet Union’s influence Ayub Khan declared ceasefire. In this way
Pakistan also lost this opportunity to get Kashmir. The Indian areas occupied by the Pakistani forces were also
given back to India according to “Tashkent Accord” in 1966.
After this war, tension mounted between the two countries up to this extent that they had another war in
1971. This war resulted in separation of East Pakistan as an independent State now known as Bangladesh.
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Since 1990, the Kashmir insurgency, concentrated in the Muslim-majority state of Jammu and Kashmir,
has gained momentum. By the mid-1990s, it was not only the most serious flashpoint in the region but also among
the most likely accelerants for a nuclear crisis anywhere on the globe. Thus, an internally driven crisis evolved into
a regional security threat that also provides a political rallying point, particularly among nationalist groups who
favor a more obvious program of nuclear weapons acquisition.
Kasmir's demographics illustrate the complexity of the issue. The territory can be divided into three
regions -- Jammu, the Kashmir Valley, and Ladakh -- each of which is dominated by a different ethnic group.
Jammu is inhabited mainly by a Hindu majority, the Kashmir Valley is settled by a Muslim majority, and a Buddhist
majority resides in Ladakh. While there is an identifiable Kashmiri ethnicity, the three groups are ethnically distinct,
complicating any notion of "Kashmiri nationalism." The implications of these divisions have to be acknowledged
whenever the call arises for an independent Kashmir, determined by plebiscite and with its future tied to neither
India nor Pakistan.
The Kashmiri freedom fighters took inspiration from brave freedom fighting display of Afghanis and an
upgrade uprising began in the valley. But due to lack of planning and poor diplomatic approach, this brilliant
tactical move ended in a terrible strategic blunder. Before Kargil episode, international opinion was focused on
Indian army repression in Kashmir. What a pity that Kargil changed this focus completely. India achieved the
world’s sympathies through its excellent diplomatic policies and quickly made propaganda against Pakistan mainly
through its electronic media. On the other hand Pakistan became isolated in international politics and even China
the most reliable friend of Pakistan gave a cold shoulder in those days. The then Prime Minister of Pakistan had to
call off the whole operation due to huge international pressure. The most unfortunate aspect of the whole Kargil
operation was that although jawans, officers and Mujahideen won the war at Kargil hills, yet they had to descend
as Pakistani government lost this war on the diplomatic front. The great uprising is still going on in the valley.
(Suggestions)
Under this scenario of events, it is clear that a change in policy direction is necessary. New objectives have
to be formed. Almost certainly the wings of our hawks have to clip. For this purpose the following steps can be
taken:
 One, the line of control can be transformed into the international border between Pakistan and India.
India itself has been moving in this direction for a while now- in the event of its inability to stamp out the
freedom struggle in Kashmir. This option is, from the Indian perspective, the least disturbing and the most
aligned to its prevailing Kashmir stance.
However, despite this option having support amongst some Western analysts, it is unworkable. This is because
the line of control has never been accepted by the Kashmir’s. Rather, it is simply a temporary cease fire line which
marks a cessation of military hostilities between two rivals and is expected to remain in place until the dispute is
resolved.
 Two, the valley of Kashmir along with some Northern areas, must be given independence. This option
although sounds very well, yet from India’s point of view it is not beneficial because an independent
Kashmir bordering China will become a permanent thereat to India.
 Three, Northern areas in control of Pakistan whereas Jammu and Laddakh should be given under
trusteeship of United Nations for twenty years.
(Most likely suggestion)
In the light of above mentioned options for the solution of Kashmir issue, the third option is very much
applicable as it looks neutral in all respects. This is because it will help to eliminate the Pakistan and Indian
influence and then after twenty years it should be asked from the people of Kashmir whether they want to
become independent or they want to become a part of Pakistan or India.
(Conclusion)
So, conceived in this way that the events which have taken place in the valley have made it imperative
(vital) that we reevaluate all the aspects of the situation with a cool head, draft a correct and principled policy and
pursue it with a single mind. We have to consider four aspects of the situation in Kashmir. First, our responsibilities
from religious point of view, and then the implications of the present situation on Pakistan, the Indian Muslims and
the Kashmiri Muslims. Till date, Pakistan has tried both political and armed struggle, with varying strategies, to
solve this quagmire (dilemma). Sometimes, it was on the UN agendas for several straight years while in less
fortunate times, it eluded the attention of the world body for years. Sometimes, Pakistan would report all the
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violations of the LoC to UN and conversely, it failed to report the Indian occupation of Siachen. The war of 1965
was the result of our incursions (invasion) into the occupied Kashmir in the guise of freedom fighters. It is manifest
that Kashmir was the chief determinant, directly or indirectly, in our economy, defense, Foreign and Home policies
and even in our internal politics.
The basic principle in this problem is that every people have the right to live according to its free will. This
unshakable and inalienable right is a living reality in human conscience. The Kashmiris have the right to freely
decide their future as a part of India or Pakistan or an independent people. India cannot deny them this right on
the pretext of an alleged piece of paper, written by a despotic dictator. Nor can Pakistan deny it to them under any
circumstances.
It is a reality that Kashmir continues to define parameters of the Pak-India relationship. And unless it is
resolved there is a détente between these two states, there cannot be meaningful stability in South Asia, which
would allow India the power status is seeks. But as a matter of fact, India has ignored the realities of history, its
own leaders commitments to a plebiscite in Kashmir, India has denied itself a role commensurate with its power
indicators. This is the time now that India must act with the confidence of a great power and more beyond its
unacceptable status quo stance in Kashmir. It is clear that India cannot maintain status quo in Kashmir indefinitely
that is untenable. Even if Kargil had not happen in 1999, India would have had to accept that it has failed to make
Kashmir an integral part of Indian Union through a bizarre mix of the use of military force and elections.
(Last hopeful paragraph)
Despite the horrible facts of Indian repression in the valley and the failure of lot of efforts mentioned
above one may hope that according to the concrete stance taken by Pakistan and continued heroic freedom
struggle by Mujahideen the things will be changed for Kashmiris and that day is not far away when the Kashmiris
will get the reward of their sacrifices and they would also be able to get the palm.
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Vocabulary for writing an essay

Words Meaning Meaning

1. Territorial
2. Survival
3. Ideological
4. Purity
5. Partisan
6. Interpretation
7. Evidence
8. Irreconcilable
9. Complex
10. Volatile
11. Intractable
12. Status quo
13. Insistence
14. Mass destruction
15. Holocaust
16. Glorification
17. Humiliations
18. Overwhelming
19. Oscillating
20. Destitution
21. Misery
22. Quantum leap
23. Vindicating
24. Reneged
25. Repression
26. Annals of history
27. Festering sore
28. Oppressed
29. Cataclysmic
30. Massacre
31. Infamous
32. Hazards
33. Exuberant
34. Debacle
35. Irreparable
36. Touted
37. Trumpeted
38. Secularism
39. Sanity
40. Folly
41. Aggression
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42. Mutilated
43. Polarized
44. Festered
45. Adverse
46. Genesis
47. Treacherous
48. Woes
49. Atrocities
50. Torment
51. Launched
52. Initiative
53. Accused
54. Militancy
55. Stance
56. Hawks
57. Flashpoint
58. Defused
59. Extricate
60. Strangled hold
61. Mediations
62. Atone for
63. Insurgency
64. Accelerants
65. Evolve
66. Acquisition
67. Notion
68. Plebiscite
69. Inspiration
70. Tactical move
71. Terrible
72. Pity
73. Call off
74. Scenario
75. Perspective
76. Imperative
77. Pursue
78. Implications
79. Quagmire
80. Elude
81. Incursions
82. Invasion
83. Manifest
84. Inalienable
85. Parameters
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86. Détente
87. Commensurate
88. Untenable
89. Integral
90. Bizarre
91. Heroic
92. Get the palm.