Kashmir

While hearing either on the news or through news flashes on the internet of the strife taking place in Kashmir, I understood the war between Pakistan and Indian to be about who was going to own the land in between. This war between the two countries goes much deeper than just real estate. Through research I have learned about the different aspects of what created such hostility between Pakistan and Indian. The dynamics of such hostilities are made up of a need for power, religious belief’s and a sense of control over what each believes to belong to them. Real Estate being the least of their concerns.

Pakistan was formed in 1947, it was created by founding father Mohammad Ali Jinnah. It was Mohammad Ali Jinnahs belief that Hindus and Muslims should live as two separate nations. However, India disagreed, proclaiming that they indeed could live together as one large peaceful nation. A partition of British India into India and the new created country of Pakistan, was carried out.

In October 1947 Kashmir, led by Muslim majority leader Hindu Maharaja, was invaded by Pashtun tribals from Pakistan. Pakistan invaded Kashmir in the same year of it’s own independence from India ( I thought this to be ironic). Kashmir was at this time invaded because of Maharaja refusal to join either Pakistan or India. In fear of military defeat to Pakistan, Maharaja signed a treaty of accession with India in exchange for help from the Indian Army. Troops from India were then flown in and the invaders were pushed back, but not out. Even with the assistance of troops from India, they were unable to regain control of all of Kashmir. The ceasefire line of 1949 left India in control of two-thirds of the state, Pakistan in control of a third and China the remaining. The ceasefire line of 1949 is how Kashmir is cut up still today. Both Pakistan and India refused to succeed to the other and today this is the way it still stands, with each side refusing to budge1.

According to Pakistan the leader of Kashmir, Maharaja, was not the effective leader and had no authority to sign the accession with India. In their view Kashmir remains disputed and calls for the Kashmiri people to carry out their wishes via a plebiscite with the United Nations. 1 According to India the accession of Kashmir is final and is not negotiable. In their view at ...

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... me Pakistan is pulling at straws and mustering propaganda to gain support internationally on its side.3

India accuses Pakistan also of “cross-border terrorism” blaming the December 13 attack on the Indian Parliament on Pakistan and/or their counterparts. The New Delhi government blames Pakistani supported Islamic militants. In response to this accusation Musharraf banned the two Islamic militant groups. India accused many and made hundreds of arrests. India has said it will not pull back forces unless all cross-border attacks stop and Pakistan hands over men India says are suspects in these attacks on India. Musharraf asserts that Pakistan “wants to live in peace with all its neighbor, including India, but that they will never compromise on principle.” 3

So as you can see the war between Pakistan and India has to do with a lot more than just rights to Real Estate (land). It is my belief that neither side will compromise nor are they willing to give an inch. In my opinion this is a war which will go on for many years.

1.Asia times author Sudha Ramachandran online January 24, 2002

2. The New York Times Jan. 5, 2002 3. The New York Times Jan. 3, 2002