Something must be settled on at the very outset – this is not the first time when Kashmir is in news. The entire region, to be precise, has been in news from 1947-48 at a stretch (during the tutelage of Maharaja Hari Singh) and for all wrong reasons. The region that was bifurcated into two halves under the insistence (rather sinister designs) of Pakistan gained prominence in the year 1990 yet again, the year that saw the rising of Pakistani-backed Kashmiri separatists, and the mass expulsion of Kashmiri Hindu Pundits, residing in the region for thousands of years, if not more.
What has been going on from then on in the valley has become almost a yearly ritual – mass eruption of violence on any issue, chanting of anti-India slogans, and the pledge to establish Islamic doctrines and hegemony, once and for all. Now the question remains of the options before India to quell this mounting saga of violence, religious frenzy and the venerated restoration of the Hindus in the valley. Our question is very simple. We have been hearing all these pompous words and vows of the Indian governance for decades but there has been nothing except a big zero.
Is there any option before India at all and can Kashmir have tranquility ever? The decade-long experiences and the disturbances of late suggest there can’t be any. Even the separatists’ demand that a political solution gratifying aspirations of Kashmiris via tripartite talks between India, Pakistan and the representatives of Kashmiris, seems to be a distant reality. Should India listen to the moderate demands of All Parties Hurriyat Conference then? It does plead for the elimination of paramilitary bunkers and troops from all cities, major towns of the valley; release of youth arrested during recent clashes and repeal of AFSPA (Armed Forces' Special Powers Act).
The underlying message is clear – expulsion of Indian presence and its Constitution from the valley. How can the situation be dealt with? Even if there seems to be no solution, there is an alternative one. Divide Indian J&K into two states, with Hindu and Muslim majorities respectively. If the Muslim-dominated Kashmir joins Pakistan in due course, it will lead to more discords in the Pakistani soil owing to ethnic, linguistic and other differences. Pakistan may cease to exist in the following years.
Shouldn't we rise and look for a solution? If we cannot solve it by other means shouldn't we at least raise our voice and our opinion.
What has been going on from then on in the valley has become almost a yearly ritual – mass eruption of violence on any issue, chanting of anti-India slogans, and the pledge to establish Islamic doctrines and hegemony, once and for all. Now the question remains of the options before India to quell this mounting saga of violence, religious frenzy and the venerated restoration of the Hindus in the valley. Our question is very simple. We have been hearing all these pompous words and vows of the Indian governance for decades but there has been nothing except a big zero.
Is there any option before India at all and can Kashmir have tranquility ever? The decade-long experiences and the disturbances of late suggest there can’t be any. Even the separatists’ demand that a political solution gratifying aspirations of Kashmiris via tripartite talks between India, Pakistan and the representatives of Kashmiris, seems to be a distant reality. Should India listen to the moderate demands of All Parties Hurriyat Conference then? It does plead for the elimination of paramilitary bunkers and troops from all cities, major towns of the valley; release of youth arrested during recent clashes and repeal of AFSPA (Armed Forces' Special Powers Act).
The underlying message is clear – expulsion of Indian presence and its Constitution from the valley. How can the situation be dealt with? Even if there seems to be no solution, there is an alternative one. Divide Indian J&K into two states, with Hindu and Muslim majorities respectively. If the Muslim-dominated Kashmir joins Pakistan in due course, it will lead to more discords in the Pakistani soil owing to ethnic, linguistic and other differences. Pakistan may cease to exist in the following years.
Shouldn't we rise and look for a solution? If we cannot solve it by other means shouldn't we at least raise our voice and our opinion.
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