Who shall inherit Kashmir?

 

Who shall inherit Kashmir?

Kashmir is an ancient region located in the northernmost part of the Indian subcontinent. It is bordered by India, Pakistan, and China and encompasses the Indian-administered territories of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, the Pakistani-administered territories of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, and the Chinese-administered territories of Aksai Chin and the Trans-Karakoram Tract. It has a long history of Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh and Afghan rule and the term "Kashmir" is thought to have been derived from the Sanskrit word káśmīra. The Kashmir Valley was annexed by the Sikh Empire in 1820, and later became a princely state of the British Indian Empire until the Partition of India in 1947. It consists of multiple religions, ethnicities and diverse landscapes, with a population of 77% Muslim, 20% Hindu, and 3% Buddhist and Sikh. India, Pakistan and China are now the main administrators of the region.

Kashmir is known for its temperate climate and agricultural production, with crops such as rice, corn, wheat, barley, and oats being grown in the region. Additionally, it is famous for its Cashmere wool, Pashmina shawls, silk carpets, rugs, kurtas, pottery, and saffron. The population of the Indian-administered union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh combined is 12,541,302, while the population of the Pakistani-administered territory of Azad Kashmir is 4,045,366 and Gilgit-Baltistan is 1,492,924. Transport is predominantly by air or road vehicles in the region and there is also a 135 km railway line that connects Baramulla to Srinagar and Banihal.

The Troubled History of Kashmir:

Since the end of the British Raj in 1947, the region of Kashmir has been the center of a contentious conflict. The region is renowned for its natural beauty and its strategic position in South Asia. India and Pakistan both claim the majority of Kashmir, while China also has a small portion. This dispute has resulted in multiple wars and failed diplomatic efforts, as well as deteriorating human rights in the region. The region is divided into two parts, with one side being governed by India and the other by Pakistan. Both sides have implemented strict security measures, leading to a repressive environment in which human rights abuses are commonplace. Furthermore, Kashmir is one of the most militarized regions in the world, with Indian and Pakistani forces both maintaining a strong presence. The ongoing dispute over Kashmir has had a significant impact on the region, with continued tension, violence, and a lack of economic development.

Kashmir: Beyond Borders:

Kashmir is home to over 300 species of wild flowers, 60 varieties of tulips, the Hangul, black bear, snow leopards, musk deer, markhor, and many other species of animals. The region is also popularized by English poet Thomas Moore's 1817 poem Lalla Rookh. The last census of British India in 1941 showed a population of 3,945,000 with 75.97% Muslim, 20.48% Hindu, and 1.39% Sikh. Unfortunately, due to the Kashmir insurgency, a large number of Kashmiri Pandits, the only Hindus of the Kashmir valley, left the Valley in the 1990s.

 

International organizations have attempted to mediate the conflict over Kashmir, but with limited success. The United Nations has called for the settlement of the dispute through peaceful means, but there has been little progress on this front. Additionally, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation has also called for a peaceful resolution. However, this has not been successful as both India and Pakistan remain entrenched in their positions. The prospects for a resolution of the conflict in the future are uncertain. India and Pakistan have both taken hard-line stances on the issue, and neither side is willing to compromise. Additionally, there is a risk that the situation will escalate further if current tensions remain unresolved. In order to achieve a lasting resolution, both sides must be willing to compromise and agree to a solution that respects the rights and interests of all involved. The conflict over Kashmir is a complex issue that has been characterized by violence and tension for decades. The region is divided between India, Pakistan, and China, and multiple wars and diplomatic efforts have failed to reach a lasting resolution. International organizations have attempted to mediate the dispute, but with limited success. In order to achieve a lasting resolution, both sides must be willing to compromise and agree to a solution that respects the rights and interests of all involved.

Kashmir: A Land of Conflict, Hope, and Possibility:

For years, the conflict over Kashmir has been marked by violence and tension. India, Pakistan, and China all have claims to parts of the region, and despite attempts by international organizations to mediate, little progress has been made. The United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation have both called for a peaceful resolution, yet India and Pakistan remain steadfast in their positions. There is a risk that the situation could escalate further if the conflict remains unresolved. In order to move towards a lasting resolution, India and Pakistan must be willing to compromise and come to an agreement that takes into account the rights and interests of all parties involved. The future of the dispute is uncertain, but a peaceful solution that is acceptable to all sides is possible with the right commitment. India has militarized Kashmir and has been accused of brutalizing the people. Pakistan has also increased its military presence in the region, though not to the same extent as India. China also has a presence in parts of Kashmir, though it has not been as active in militarizing and repressing the population. India has been accused of human rights violations in Kashmir, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and arbitrary arrests. Pakistan has also been accused of human rights violations, including the suppression of freedom of expression and association. China has not been accused of widespread human rights violations in the region. The reasons why India and Pakistan don't stop their human rights violations in Kashmir are complex. India has long maintained a hard-line stance on the region, viewing it as an integral part of their territory. Pakistan also sees the region as an important part of their national identity and has refused to back down from its claims. Additionally, both countries have used the conflict as a way to gain domestic support, making it difficult for either side to compromise.

Who shall inherit Kashmir?

The question of who will inherit Kashmir is a complex one and has yet to be resolved. India and Pakistan both claim the territory, and China also has a presence in some parts of the region. Ultimately, the future of Kashmir will be determined by the outcome of negotiations between India, Pakistan, and the other countries involved. The three occupying forces have not been listening to the people of Kashmir for a variety of reasons. India and Pakistan have both taken hard-line stances on the region and have refused to compromise. Additionally, both countries have used the conflict as a way to gain domestic support, making it difficult for either side to listen to the people of Kashmir. China has also not been listening to the people of Kashmir, as it views the region as a strategic asset. Ultimately, the people of Kashmir should have the right to decide their own fate. International organizations, including the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, have called for a peaceful resolution that respects the rights and interests of all involved. In order for a lasting resolution to be achieved, both India and Pakistan must be willing to compromise and listen to the voices of the people of Kashmir. The people of Kashmir can continue to peacefully advocate for their rights and for a resolution to the conflict. They can also continue to engage with international organizations to ensure that their voices are heard. Also, they can use social media to raise awareness of the situation and to call for action from the occupying forces.

 

 

Read more here:

1. "Kashmir Conflict: Background, History, and Timeline." Council on Foreign Relations, Council on Foreign Relations, 20 July 2017, https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/kashmir-conflict.

2. "Kashmir Conflict." Amnesty International, Amnesty International, https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/campaigns/2019/08/kashmir-conflict/.

3. "Kashmir Conflict." Human Rights Watch, Human Rights Watch, https://www.hrw.org/topic/asia/kashmir.

4. "The Kashmir Conflict: What You Need to Know." BBC News, BBC, 24 Aug. 2019, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-48002471.


Sarah Yousafzai:

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