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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