The dispute in Kashmir

By: Ghadaq Zia

The dispute over Kashmir has its roots from the past. Jammu and Kashmir were from the princely states that existed during the British Empire time. They were not to be given independence because they had betrayed the people of the country of India, in the time, of the British. So there was very little chance for the princely states to gain independence. Many Pakistanis felt that Kashmir was a part of Muslim nation. Therefore, Pakistan sent soldiers in civilian clothing to annex Kashmir but they were stopped by the Kashmiri leader. The ruler Singh signed the instrument of accession, which granted India, Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian forces came in air and took the Pakistani forces out of Kashmir. In 1948, Kashmir was divided between Pakistan and India. After the 1989 elections, the Kashmiris, from then on, have been wanting independence. And the conflict between Pakistan and India is still on going. Pakistanis have said that India is oppressing the Kashmiris whereas the Indians believe that Pakistanis have been causing a lot of trouble. The main reason for the conflict between Pakistan and India because of Kashmir’s geography and resources importance.

The Indus River flows through Kashmir and this river is very important for the agriculture of Pakistan and the Indians depend on the river for irrigation. Pakistan has control over some of the river tributaries and India has its own because of the Indus water treaty that took to implementation on 19th September, 1960. Though the treaty has brought in some form of peace, Pakistan is still afraid that the water supplies will be cut off because the part of Kashmir that controls this part is under India’s control... the Kashmiri water bodies can generate a great amount of hydroelectricity.

From a geographical view, Kashmir is also very important. It is the route that connects south Asia to central Asia and so it’s the only direct route for India to central Asia. India has 55 percent control over Kashmir whereas Pakistan has 30 percent whereas china has 15 percent. From India’s point of view, it is believed that India owns Kashmir and that china and Pakistan are falsely claiming it as its own. Now from Kashmir’s point of view, which is undervalued. This conflict is one that has stemmed due to the fact that there are those that believe Maharaja Hari Singh ceding Kashmir to India was unlawful as he did not represent the majority.

There was a lockdown in 2019. In regards to human ethics and morals. Both Pakistan and India are to blame. The immense amount of blood shedding that has been taking place is due to both of their greed for land and also they cannot allow the opposing country to take the land for egotistical purposes. Both of the country’s patriotism is alright but when it leads to them being blinded to what’s right and wrong, that is where the problems come from. Pakistanis and blaming the Indians and the Indians are blaming the Pakistanis, which is just making things worse. We all are at fault. We cannot also put all the blame on the government but also the citizens of both country.

(Image from here.)