news details |
|
|
| IS KASHMIR THE ESSENCE OF INDO PAK RELATIONS HENCE THE RELEVENCE OF INTERLOCUTORS | | | By Col J P Singh, Retd | 3/22/2011 10:23:39 PM |
| The tensions in Indo-Pak relations arose much before the birth of Pakistan. It was in many ways a product of political history of the sub-continent. The conflict was largely a result of the fears, jealousies and rivalries between Indian National Congress and Muslim League that ushered conflicting political processes ultimately culminating in the partition of the sub-continent on the eve of Indian independence. The two nations were born with various inimical and divisive forces at work. Ethnicity, caste, language, regional loyalties, and most importantly the religion also divided India, both horizontally and vertically. Kashmir being only Muslim majority state which acceded to India became symbolic of the conflict of two independent states and led to further division of J&K despite which the conflict continues and continues to be exploited internally and externally.
It is heartening to see that Indo Pak relationship is moving towards improvement which may help in resolving the internal problem. This has been made possible more by circumstances than by desire. We fought four Indo–Pak wars with all our strength. Now we must fight for peace with all our strength. The history of two nations can’t be forgotten and their geography can’t be ignored. Barring claim of territories of J&K under illegal occupation of Pakistan, India has no dispute with Pakistan. In respect of even these territories India has undertaken not to use force to settle the issue. There is no pressure from within India to regain these areas and more than once Indian leaders have indicated their willingness to accept LOC as international border. Despite grave provocation after 13 December 2001 attack on the Parliament and 26 / 11, India exercised restraint and ruled out military option despite being militarily superior to retaliate.
Many factors affect our neighborly relations. Two nations theory disturbed communal mosaic in India. After limited power was transferred to Indian hands in the Provinces in 1937, political plank of Muslim League was that there were two nations in India; the Hindu and the Muslim; Congress representing Hindu Nation and Muslim League representing Muslim Nation. In its meeting at Lahore in March 1940, the Muslim League resolved to the realization of a sovereign Muslim State; a home land for the Indian Muslims in the sub-continent. The unhappy experiences in the interim govt, complete collapse of mutual confidence between two sets of political leaders, British threat to hand over the power to provinces and the communal killings were the factors in the backdrop of which Mountbatten Plan was formulated. The plan conceded a separate sovereign Pakistan for the Indian Muslims. Partition of India was agreed upon by the Indian National Congress because it appeared that there was no other way to solve the political dead lock. That religious division continues to sore the relations.
The partition of the sub continent solved few problems. For India it left behind the problem of cultivating secular way of life after the painful division and unprecedented communal strife. For Pakistan it created a fundamental problem of identity. The predicament for Pakistan was, did it or did it not represent all the Indian Muslims. The problem of identity was more complicated by the fact that 55% of country’s population was to live in East Pakistan. The identity of Pakistan rests on twin foundation of its inhabitants being Muslims and Indians. The Muhajirs are still referred to as Indian Muhajirs, Sindhis are considered Indians and Baluchistan, the killing land of US stealth bombers, Pak Army and Talibans does not own Pakisatn. It is the crisis of identity and Indo-Muslim conscious which led to creation of Bangladesh. India continues to be perceived as a threat to the statehood of Pakistan. The cricket rivalry is the legacy of the same hangover.
Mahatma Gandhi visited Kashmir in July 1947 when sub continent had been engulfed by the communal holocaust and met cross section of society. Kashmir was one area where Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists and Jains were living in harmony. J&K was itself a mini India. Seeing this he made a historical statement that he saw a ray of hope emanating from Kashmir. This indeed was the model for which Indian leaders were working despite which the State got divided, Pandits were forced out of the Valley and Kashmir continues to be an irritant in the relations with the nation and the neighbors. Thus we need interlocutors and Western friends to mediate.
Generations in Pakistan as well as in the valley are being fed with the conviction that Kashmir should have been part of Pakistan. Since that did not happen it must now happen through the right of self determination for which Pakistan and separatists are using all means foul and fair to incite insurrection. J&K has become symbol of conflict between the very basis of India and Pakistan as Nation States. In the last three occasions in 1965, 71 and 99, India negotiated peace with clear message that India has no designs on Pak territory and nor would it use illegally held areas as bargaining lever in bilateral negotiations. India perhaps would have agreed to UN sponsored plebiscite had Pakistan vacated the occupied areas as per the terms of ceasefire agreement. Many elections have been held after independence. People have voted National Conference and Indian National Congress to power which approves Jammu and Kashmir’s political integration with India and this is what is not digestible to Pakistan. Hence Pakistan unleashed proxy war and lured Kashmiri youths into gun culture. Pakistan continues to be an important factor in management of Kashmir. While the formal dialogue may proceed, the process of resolution of Kashmir’s internal dimension through the good offices of interlocutors is a welcome step. The essence of informal diplomacy is to get unbiased deep look into the internal problem and to seek their practical recommendations. But unless the Pakistan factor is neutralised, the cosmetic constitutional changes introduced on the recommendations of the interlocutors may turn out to be a bluff. But the process is expected to create pressure groups in J&K for strengthening trust between Delhi and Kashmir and minimizing insurrection. Realisation that the normalcy in the valley is at the mercy of Pakistan despite best efforts of Interlocutors, will enable the leadership to review their policy on Kashmir affairs. Indian democracy has always been enthusiastically responsive to the aspiration of the people of Kashmir. Under the constitution of India , J&K enjoys more executive and legislative powers than any other state. J&K’s problem is the anti India environment created by separatists, political parties and Pakistan. Socio economic conditions of Kashmiris are far better than people of other states. Socio economic conditions of those living in POK are pathetic. These stark realities are seen by the people of Kashmir during their visits to POK. Separation of East Pakistan proves that religion alone cannot the basis of a nation state. Every nation respects all the religions and treats all its subjects equally and that is what India stands for. It is heartening to see that Indo Pak relations are improving and aspirations of people, particularly the unemployed youths are being addressed. The interlocutors have to handle Kashmir issue with the premise that the nation is already investing more and getting lesser dividend.
( writer is a columnist, political analyst and social worker, can be reached at [email protected] )
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
