The captioned post on Reuters’ blog examines at how decades-old taboos are being broken by the mainstream Indian media:
“If the experience of the last two decades has taught us anything, it is that the situation never really returns to normal. Even when we see the outward symptoms of peace, we miss the alienation and resentment within. No matter what we do, things never get better, for very long,” writes Vir Sanghvi in the Hindustan Times.
“I reckon we should hold a referendum in the Valley. Let the Kashmiris determine their own destiny. If they want to stay in India, they are welcome. But if they don’t, then we have no moral right to force them to remain. If they vote for integration with Pakistan, all this will mean is that Azad Kashmir will gain a little more territory. If they opt for independence, they will last for about 15 minutes without the billions that India has showered on them. But it will be their decision,” he writes.
“Whatever happens, how can India lose? If you believe in democracy, then giving Kashmiris the right to self-determination is the correct thing to do. And even if you don’t, surely we will be better off being rid of this constant, painful strain on our resources, our lives, and our honour as a nation? This is India’s century. We have the world to conquer -the other- and the means to do it. Kashmir is a 20th century problem. We cannot let it drag us down and bleed us as we assume our rightful place in the world. It’s time to think the unthinkable
The Times of India runs an editorial along similar lines. ”I was once hopeful of Kashmir’s integration, but after six decades of effort, Kashmiri alienation looks greater than ever. India seeks to integrate with Kashmir, not rule it colonially. Yet, the parallels between British rule in India and Indian rule in Kashmir have become too close for my comfort,” writes columnist Swaminathan Aiyar.
“We promised Kashmiris a plebiscite six decades ago. Let us hold one now, and give them three choices: independence, union with Pakistan, and union with India. Almost certainly the Valley will opt for independence. Jammu will opt to stay with India, and probably Ladakh too. Let Kashmiris decide the outcome, not the politicians and armies of India and Pakistan,” he concludes.
6 Comments
August 18, 2008 at 2:27 pm
The following post on the Kashmir conflict out of by ‘Folding the Map’ is perhaps the one write up on this issue that made a lot of sense to me:
http://cntrfeit.blogspot.com/2008/08/jammu-and-kashmir-conflict-heating-up.html
August 19, 2008 at 6:22 pm
More than anyone else, the leadership — in India, Pakistan and Kashmir — must realise that situations have changed. All factions in Kashmir must be brought to the negotiation table. That’ll be a good way to start.
August 19, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Interesting post. People seem to (finally) be interested in getting “Kashmiris” to the table, which is never a bad thing. But it is also never a simple thing. Who are Kashmiris? Are they people living in Kashmir right now? Are they all descendants (pure and mixed) of Kashmiris? Are they pure first-generation descendants of Kashmiris living outside of Kashmir? I think that when one talks to Kashmiris (I have really only talked to Kashmiris outside of Kashmir), it becomes apparent that this seemingly simple solution is quite convoluted. Thanks for the links though, it is interesting to get a sense of what Indian news reporters think of the Kashmir issue.
August 21, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Yes, Sanghvi’s article is an indication that Indian intelligentsia is now willing to look at Kashmir issue once again, without any blinkers.
It is good and possibly may help pave the way for a solution. After all, it is more than 60 years since all those events took place, and time now for the new generation to think afresh, find solutions that5 evaded our elders who were caught up in the trap of history.
By the way, it was from Open Democracy that I came here. Good , the world too is listening.
August 27, 2008 at 6:54 pm
NSG should pressurize India to end HR violations in Kashmir: Siddiqi
Tuesday, 26 August 2008
Srinagar, Aug 25: Appealing 45 countries that form the Nuclear Supply Group (NSG), Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (R) Chairman Farooq Siddiqi on Tuesday called them to take cognizance of how Indian democracy had and was responding to the peaceful unarmed protests of Kashmiri masses.
“Indian democracy has failed to live to its claims and so has its claim of being a responsible country in the international community proven false,” Siddiqi said in a statement.
“Allowing India into this elite club while India has reined in terror tactics to stifle the peaceful protest of millions of Kashmiries for demand of their rights as stipulated in the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Part1 Art-1) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted on December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to which India is a signatory,” he said in the statement. “While the Nuclear Supply Group of countries are in the process of admitting India under Indo US nuclear deal, Kashmiri civilian population are being traumatized and cities and towns in Kashmir are converted in garrisons.”
He said that ignoring India’s use of indiscriminate force and killing of innocent protesters, by these countries in their meeting on September 4 will reflect the disregard to the UN Charter and a slap in the face of the oppressed people of the world.
Siddiqi hoped that the group of 45 countries who hail from the civilized world and who believe in the human rights of people in the world will not prove themselves wrong at this critical time when all eyes are on them as to how they react to India’s falling into a moral black hole that is caused by “brutal response” by the Indian democracy.
Siddiqi said that it was vital that the Nuclear Supply Group of countries revaluate their policy to allow India in this club when gross human right are conducted under their noses.
While stressing in the appeal Farooq Siddiqi stated that it is moral responsibility of participating governments of these countries that they weigh their acceptance of India in this group on the prevalent national laws of their own governments against India’s record of continuous human right abuses, that are perpetuated on innocent Kashmiris currently and satisfy themselves whether their own national laws are contravened with respect to human rights as it is within the purview of NSG’s basic guidelines.
December 26, 2008 at 10:19 pm
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