Aisha Habi Draft no.

1 Date 11/27/19

Kashmir Conflict

 Thesis Statement:

Kashmir issue has resulted in great violence and tensions between Pakistan and India and has led

to major breaches of peace within Kashmir.

 Conflict created during partition:

The conflict started after the partition of India in 1947 and is still a global issue. At the time of

partition Kashmir was in the hands of Hindu Raja Hari Singh while the population was Muslim

majority.

“Because of its location, Kashmir could choose to join either India or Pakistan. Maharaja Hari

Singh, the ruler of Kashmir, was Hindu while most of his subjects were Muslim. Unable to

decide which nation Kashmir should join, Hari Singh chose to remain neutral”. (The

Telegraph, 2001)

 Conflicts after partition:

“The Kashmir Conflict is a territorial conflict primarily between India and Pakistan over the

Kashmir region. The conflict started after the partition of India in 1947 as a dispute over the

former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir and escalated into three wars between India and

Pakistan and several other armed skirmishes. China has also been involved in the conflict in a

third-party role.” (Yahuda, 2002)

“Both India and Pakistan claim the entirety of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir.

India controls approximately 55% of the land area of the region and 70% of its population,

Pakistan controls approximately 30% of the land.” (Ie Ess Wor Reg Geog W/Cd, 2002)
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 Kashmir issue in United Nation:

“Indian and Pakistani forces thus fought their first war over Kashmir in 1947-48. India referred

the dispute to the United Nations on 1 January. In a resolution dated August 13, 1948, the UN

asked Pakistan to remove its troops, after which India was also to withdraw the bulk of its

forces”. (The Telegraph, 2001)

It was decided that through a vote or referendum Kashmiris can decide their future. Till date, this

right has not been granted to Kashmiris which has resulted in resentment and extreme violence

within the region.

 Kargil War:

It started in May 1999 and involved the Pakistani army going on the mount of Kargil to get a

hold on the exit and entrance points into Kashmir. This adventure took place under the command

of Parveez Musharaf. The Pakistani army strived to reach the top of Kargil Mountain without

consent of Pakistani state. The back fired as when more reinforcement were asked by Parveez

Musharaf, the Pakistani government turned its back on the request and said it has nothing to do

with Kargil.

 India vs Pakistan: Military strength and arsenal

“The Kargil war, as it came to be known, lasted for nearly three months, killed more than 500

Indian and nearly 400 Pakistani soldiers, and ended with India successfully pushing back

Pakistani fighters to the other side of the LoC.”(Fareed, 2019)

 Kashmir in last ten years:

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“Article 370, as the constitutional provision guaranteeing special status was known, allowed

the region a certain amount of autonomy, including special privileges in property ownership,

education and jobs.” (bbc, 2019)

Kashmiri Politicians who have raised voice for Kashmir rights have been subject to criticism,

threat and violence by the state of India. There are other dozens of examples of violence and

people killing that reflect aggressive Indian state behavior towards the Kashmiris.

Muslim separatist leaders in Indian-administered Kashmir close shops, businesses and

government departments in protest at the enforcement of a colonial-era ban on eating beef.

 The recent curfew in Kashmir:

Article 370 states that Kashmir is a separate entity and will not be governed by Indian

constitution but recently the BJP government has lifted that article and now Kashmir has become

an Indian province much to the resentment of the Kashmiri brothers. After this, Kashmiris have

retaliated against this and have carried out violence protest leading to killings. To stop this

anarchy the Indian government has imposed curfew which has been going on for more than three

months. Because of the curfew Kashmiris are struggling to get the basic necessities of life

resulting in mass destructions and unrest.

“Almost three months later, the situation is still far from normal. On Tuesday, militants killed

five migrant labourers in Kulgam district. Just a day before, a truck driver from outside the

region was killed in Anantnag district. In total, 11 such migrants have been killed by militants in

the past two weeks. Earlier this month, the Indian government restored mobile services 72 days
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after they were suspended. But internet services continue to be suspended and most businesses

remain closed - some in protest against the government, and others for fear of reprisals from

militants opposed to Indian rule.” (bbc, 2019)

 Kashmiris killed by Indians:

“The official figures from Indian sources state the estimates of number of civilians killed due to

the pro-freedom movement are above 50,000.” (Act on UN Rights Report on Kashmir)

 Conclusion:

There have been several attempts to resolve this issue, both by local governments and

international institutions such as United Nation and Security Council but a practical solution is

yet to be reached. The issue of Kashmir remain unsolved although, attempts have been made to

give Kashmiris their human rights and insure a peaceful future.

It is the right of Kashmiris to decide whether they want to join Pakistan or India or they want

Kashmir as an independent state. We have to implement the solution of referendum given by

United States in order to maintain peace in Kashmir.

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References:

• Bagwe, A. (2019, September 13). Retrieved from fpri.org:

https://www.fpri.org/article/2019/09/modis-grand-strategy-in-kashmir/

• bbc. (2019, October 31). Retrieved from bbc.com: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-

asia-india-

50233281?intlink_from_url=https://www.bbc.com/news/topics/cx1m7zg0wwzt/kashmir

&link_location=live-reporting-story

• BBC. (2019, October 31). Retrieved from BBC News.com:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-

50233281?intlink_from_url=https://www.bbc.com/news/topics/cx1m7zg0wwzt/kashmir

&link_location=live-reporting-story

• Fareed, R. (2019, July 26). aljazeera. Retrieved from aljazeera.com:

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/07/20-years-kargil-war-india-pakistan-remain-

tense-kashmir-190725205420082.html

• Public Diplomacy. (1972, July 2). Retrieved from Public Diplomacy.com:

https://mea.gov.in/in-focus-article.htm?19005/Simla+Agreement+July+2+1972

• The Telegraph. (2001, September 24). Retrieved from The Telegragh.com:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1399992/A-brief-history-of-the-Kashmir-conflict.html

• Yahuda, M. (2002, June 2). Wikipedia. Retrieved from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kashmir_conflict#cite_note-1
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• Ie Ess Wor Reg Geog W/Cd. Thomson Learning EMEA.

2002. ISBN 9780534168100. India now holds about 55% of the old state of Kashmir,

Pakistan 30%, and China 15%. Ie Ess Wor Reg Geog W/Cd. Thomson Learning EMEA.

2002. ISBN 9780534168100. India now holds about 55% of the old state of Kashmir,

Pakistan 30%, and China 15%.