04/01/2017 – LECTURE 6 – KASHMIR ISSUE (2)

Is there a solution to the Kashmir Issue?

Why has the Kashmir problem not been solved and why has it been so difficult to solve it. This
quagmire has remained for 70 years. The template which has been established literally spells out
that this is a problem best not solved. Do the countries have some profit in keeping this conflict
going?

Class Response: Pakistan or India can decide to step down which they are refusing to, or Kashmir
goes to either one of them. The third solution which is apparently wanted most in Kashmir is that is
gets its autonomy. There could also be a fair plebiscite.

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These are the states solutions on the UN resolution as well. The only other option is to maintain
status quo which has been happening since 70 years. This status quo is not amicable or peaceful, but
has to be defended very violently. No one country will step down because too much blood has been
lost by both country’s here. Also, there are a few reasons due to which the plebiscite at this point of
time cannot happen.

Unfeasibility of the Plebiscite

1 January 1949 is when the conflict between the insurgents and Indian army comes to an end. At
that stage, the Indian army has been able to liberate what is today Indian Kashmir. At this point of
time, having acceded to India these parts were considered to be Indian and had to be cleared. A
ceasefire was called and the scenario was put forward before the UN because the entire region was
disputed. This is when under certain conditions a plebiscite was suggested. Because these conditions
were not met, it was not conducted.

The plebiscite was for the disputed region of JnK i.e. including COK POK Azad Kashmir and Indian
Kashmir. It was about securing all of Kashmir. ALL OF KASHMIR was to be asked what they want for
their future. A plebiscite was happening because this entire region was disputed.

[China’s Role]

After China’s taking over of the Aksai Chin in 1962 – they wanted to legitimize their claim over this
part of Kashmir because at this point of time it did seem viable that either India or Pakistan would
win the Kashmir issue. Hence, in the future China would have to hold another plebiscite about its
own legitimacy in the region.

What china does by 1965 to gain legitimacy is it signs a deal with Pakistan about this region called
Shaksam valley. China buys this area monetarily and officially from Pakistan. The question which
arises is can you sell something which is not entirely yours? No. But China also got this deal
approved by the UN. At this point of time after the Cuban Missile War crisis situations are tense.
Nobody is very interested in a deal to do with Shaksam valley. Nobody veto’s it, and China confirms
this deal. Considering that you can sell only what is yours, it becomes obvious that Pakistan no
longer considers this region to be disputed POK but Pakistan indeed. This would also imply that
Shaksam valley and Aksai Chin are technically China.

In today’s time, what this does is – that if we are to have a plebiscite, only the disputed regions
would vote. For that to happen – only the Indian region would vote because that is the only disputed
region left. Hence, a plebiscite is unreasonable because it will no longer be according to the original
plan.

Class Question/Doubt: Why is it that Gilgit became part of Pakistan easily but the Indian side of
JnK is still disputed?

Answer: It was after the Chinese deal when Pakistan began selling territory off POK that it clearly
meant that this region was PAKISTAN’s to sell off thereby making it wholly and solely part of the
same. However, in the case of India’s claim to Kashmir is that we have not had allies around Kashmir
who have backed us. Also, nobody wanted to sour relations with China because historically they
have been a war mongering race. Nobody wanted to let go of such huge production capacity either.
Pakistan on the other hand has been a very lucrative ally for most country’s because it promises a
mercenary army.

A Solution
A practical solution which may help things to a certain extent has not been tried out till now. In the
Indian part of Kashmir – which we do control, we can help the situation. For 70 years their biggest
problem has been isolation. It has come with article 370. This was a protectionist measure to ensure
that Kashmir remain autonomous, and it started off as privileges such as nobody else could buy land
here etc but in the long run has harmed the community more than it has helped them. Kashmir is
not in sync with the rest of India. The biggest problem is the lack of incorporation. Integration is the
biggest loophole which has been completely overlooked. Hence, isolationist tendencies have crept in
and have magnified. There is a lack of movement to and fro and even business in this region. The
solution is cultural integration in the true sense of the word. There has to be cultural exchange –
the problem can no longer be solved by either country stepping down. A plebiscite can only be
conducted after this part has been integrated properly.

CLASS DISCUSSION

- Suggesting this kind of cultural exchange, will it not occur only if article 370 is dissolved?
And don’t people want this article to exist and their special rights to be granted? Article
370 cannot be dissolved at this point of time can it?

An article like 370 basically just deepens the fact that these people are different from all
other Indians and have to be treated differently. This article came up till the plebiscite could
 happen so that TILL THEN their rights are not compromised upon. Now that there is no
plebiscite in the near future, why have article 370 which is not allowing integration? The
plebiscite can never happen now so why keep article 370? These people don’t feel like a part
of India because Kashmir has not been treated like other regular Indian states.

- If it is removed – will there not be too much commotion from Pakistan and riots which will
further restrict people from not going to Kashmir? Won’t these people feel that it is unfair
to them for the privileges to be taken away?

Pakistan does not have much to do with the article apart from the fact that it is negative for
them if the article remains intact. The privileges granted are part of the Indian constitution
hence this binds Kashmir with India. If this section was to go, and Kashmir would be
integrated properly there would be more business and opportunities here. Also, terrorism
here is a 40 year old phenomena. Even before that, Kashmir was isolated due to article 370.
Also, there is absolutely no competition or ambition in the place. The clause must be
revoked tactfully and Kashmir must be made to feel as much a part of India as any other
state.

As far as the privileges are concerned – one of the biggest problems people all over Kashmir
face is the lack of employable opportunities. If the problem of lack of jobs is solved, the
entire scenario of frustration in the valley will reduce. Ultimately people want to make sure
they can fend for their family and lead good lives. Even if it is made autonomous without
jobs, they will win nothing. They will just be left as a battleground for both India and
Pakistan. Even their tourism industry will die because if no government is taking care of any
security. Without any jobs, what is Kashmir going to do even if free? Doesn’t this make
employability the solution? If life inside Kashmir can be improved and people can be given
more prospects – that is when the situation will help. Once that it is done, it does not matter
if India or Pakistan is ruling Kashmir. A practical solution needs to be come up with, and we
need to stop clinging on to the idea of plebiscite and the ancient solutions. The quality of life
needs to be worked upon.

- Doesn’t the presence of the army and the fear it created deters people from the country?
Should some of their powers not be restricted? Treating your own citizens as third class
public doesn’t help!
Any region an army is put into, and it remains there for 10 years – resentment will grow. It
will be unnerving for the locals obviously. But the armed forces within Kashmir have only
come in in 1989. Even before this it was a declining state. Their powers like the PSA, AFSPA
and no media coverage yes does compound problems. That is a fact. Also, the resentment
towards the army also partially exists because of the fact that the people in this region do
not consider this army to be of their own country. It is considered to be a foreign i.e. an
occupying army. Pakistan on the other hand has successfully integrated Gilgil into their own
country! They consider Pakistan’s forces as their own. In Indian Kashmir however there is no
sense of any nationality which India has been able to generate. In fact people in Pakistan
move freely in and out of POK because this is considered to be a part of Pakistan. In India,
there is major disconnect. We have to make Kashmir feel like India.
VIDEO [Same as Lecture 5, Continued]