Kashmir for Kashmiris is the only solution imtiyaz reshi.

When sore festers and pain goes beyond cure, that is the time to find a touch that heals it up. Kashmir is one such festering sore which craves for an immediate, but a durable solution. The problem has many dimensions, so solutions can’t be readymade and tentative. There has got to be a great deal of seriousness on part of the policy makers so that a long pending conflict finds a long lasting solution.  Imtiyaz reshi explains Kashmir dispute from a historical perspective with reference to the current challenges and demands

Most debated topic at the present moment in all-important political and intellectual circles is, how to find a possible solution to the vexed problem of Kashmir? Many options have been proposed in the past and new ones are being discussed now. The UN Security Council through its resolutions had suggested holding of a plebiscite under UN auspices to give local population a chance to make a choice for total merger of the State either with India or with Pakistan. There was no other choice given to Kashmiris in these resolutions. In fact, Admiral Nimitz had been appointed as the Plebiscite Administrator. However, none of these resolutions could be implemented so far, as the first step of demilitarisation of the State of Jammu & Kashmir has not been possible because of the intransigence of the two neighbouring countries laying claims to the State. Before one discusses pros and cons of any solution, it is essential to understand the genesis of the problem as well as its present implications. The present dispute is only half a century old but the main problem, which Kashmiris have been facing, has been there for more than four centuries. “Kashmir Dispute” as it is generally understood is quite well known throughout the world. It is what Alistair Lamb called “A Disputed Legacy”.
The vested interests forming the ruling elite of the Imperialists Powers never wanted to give up their colonies. This elite not only ruled the world but also subjugated their own people in their home countries. Their poor subjects never knew what was happening and it was the Aristocracy, which ruled the roost. It was only after the Second World War that they were forced to withdraw, as it was difficult for them to continue the presence of their armies in these colonies after the massive destruction of property and terrible human losses they had suffered at home. The Second World War was Almighty’s retribution to these powers that had drained the poor people in these colonies of their wealth and resources. Back home they not only massacred each other mercilessly using all the lethal weapons they could manufacture but also destroyed all that they had built on the blood and sweat of the wretched inhabitants of their worldwide colonies. However, even though they were forced to give up the physical control over most of their colonies, yet they with their manipulative ingenuity invented ways and means of continuing their hold over these poor people. By dividing countries and territories and fragmenting these in such a way that they would always remain in a state of conflict among themselves; they ensured their indirect involvement till eternity. These imperialists have left disputes like the one on Kashmir all over the world. In the Middle East. In South East Asia. In Africa and many other places except their own countries. They make people kill each other and supply weapons for doing so to both the combatants. They indulge in both “Soft Wars” as well as “Hard Wars” to silence any voice of reason and logic challenging their hegemony and go to any length to keep their global influence intact. In return, they also keep their armament factories running and provide thousands of jobs to their own people. As has been recently revealed by declassification of some documents by the western intelligence agencies, the British and the American Governments, to keep the sub-continent on the boil for their own national global interests deliberately engineered the dispute over Kashmir. They will never allow it to be solved if left to them. The only western countries that may ever help in the resolution of the dispute are the ones from Europe (such as Scandinavian Countries) or the South American Countries without any direct stake in the region. Even at present the UN Observer Group in Kashmir is constituted from these countries. A united India would have by now surpassed all these colonial super powers because of the immense resources, both material as well as human. However, they split it into two and made the two parts fight each other on a continuous basis. This debilitated both the countries and slowed down their economic growth. However, the worst sufferers have been the “Third Party”, the Kashmiris. Almost a hundred thousand have been killed only in the latest turmoil. Thousands have been injured and maimed. Hundreds of thousand have been displaced from their ancestral homes. They have suffered physically, materially and emotionally. The whole society has been shattered. The two countries may continue to live with the dispute and remain economically backward but the Kashmiris are doomed and may disappear as a nation if no solution is found soon.
The real problem for Kashmiris began in the sixteenth century when the Mughals annexed Kashmir to their Empire through force and treachery. Till that time Kashmir was an Independent Sovereign State. Kalhana’s Raj Tarangni, the earliest book of recorded history in the sub-continent factually verified and authenticated by its translator, Sir Aural Stein, claims Kashmir to be a 5000 year old country. Kashmir’s references as an Independent Sovereign State can be found in the earliest Greek (Ptolemy) and Chinese records (Tang dynasty Annals). Even Huien Tsang and Alberuni in their travelogues have given vivid description of the “Country” called Kashmir. Political Science defines a Nation as a distinct group of people living in a well defined geographical area having common language, culture and history. Kashmiris both by choice as well as by their natural location in the Himalayas had been living for centuries unmolested by outsiders. Their ultimate defence were the mountain barriers, which protected their country from foreign invaders and marauders. Even Mehmud of Ghazni and Alexander the Great had failed to breach these natural defences.
However, Mughals shattered these defences through treachery. After Mughals came Afghans who were followed by Sikhs and ultimately the British sold Kashmir to Dogras in 1846 for seventy five hundred thousand rupees of that time under the infamous Treaty of Amritsar. This gift consisting of the land, the people and everything else, lock stock and barrel was made to Dogras in lieu of the services rendered by them to the British in defeating Sikhs. Kashmiris throughout this period of foreign occupation of their Country made many attempts for liberation but all of these were ruthlessly suppressed. Even before the entire sub-continent was up against the British rule, Kashmiris had started a struggle for getting liberated from the most oppressive feudal set up of the Dogra Maharaja. This was a revolutionary movement of poor peasantry versus the Bourgeoisie and Kulaks inspired by the Russian Revolution. In fact the party leading the movement, National Conference, had a red flag with the symbol of plough representing the general masses that were the landless peasants, which closely related to the Russian sickle and hammer representing their industrial workers and peasants. The main spot in Srinagar where public meetings and demonstrations were organised by this party, was also called Lal Chowk which translates into Red Square like that of Moscow. The manifesto of the party called “Naya Kashmir” was greatly influenced by Russian revolutionary concepts and measures. In fact Moscow newspapers prominently carried the news about Kashmir’s movement for national liberation during those days. This has been mentioned by Dr.Joseph Korbel in his book “Danger in Kashmir”, which is probably one of the best about the events of 1947 in Kashmir. Unfortunately this struggle got entangled in the artificially created ideological divide of the sub-continent engineered by the British. It now transpires that the entanglement was not incidental but deliberate which the British and the Americans jointly manipulated. At that time they had been very much scared of spreading Russian influence on one hand and on the other wanted something to keep the sub-continent on the boil. They managed both at the cost of poor Kashmiris. After the partition of India, the princely states were given a choice of joining either of the dominions. In case of Kashmir, even though the Maharaja was a Hindu, yet he was ruling over a Muslim majority state. Moreover, the valley of Kashmir with almost 98% Muslim population was already in turmoil against the Maharaja. The accession claimed by India to be the main plank of its link with the state was executed in very unusual circumstances. Even the Maharaja himself was toying with the idea of remaining totally Independent. A lot has been written about these events by a host of authors. The main conflict was because of the strategic location of the state and not the well being of the Kashmiri people. India and Pakistan though sympathising with the Kashmiri people from time to time have never sincerely and genuinely accepted them as an independent sovereign party. Pakistan has been insisting for inclusion of Kashmiris as the most relevant third party but with the condition of only two options for the ultimate solution. Recently they have started floating ideas of demilitarisation and self-governance with joint management again implying exclusion of a totally sovereign status. It is indeed the worst form of injustice and a total disregard of the universal human rights that the two countries, which by all definitions of nationhood fail to qualify as nations themselves, do not allow freedom to the people who can truly claim to be a historical nation of the sub-continent!
Now let us examine the present status of Jammu and Kashmir. There are three main groups of people on the Indian side. The Dogras of Jammu, Ladakhis and Kashmiris. On the Pakistan side are the people of Northern Areas and Azad Kashmir. Ladakhis of the Buddhist majority Leh district have always associated themselves with Lahasa in Tibet, which has been the seat of Dalai Lama their spiritual leader. Most of the top ranking lamas of all the monasteries used to go to Lahasa for advanced studies in Buddhism. In fact, the head lama of the Hemis monastery, the largest in entire Ladakh got stuck up in Lahasa when Chinese took it over. He had gone there for advanced studies. The road link of Leh with Kashmir as well as Himachal remains cut off for more than six months in a year during winter. On the contrary their link with Tibet going upstream along the Indus River remains open throughout the year. Had Chinese not invaded Tibet and displaced the Dalai Lama, the Ladakhis would have preferred to be more close to Tibetans than the people of the sub-continent. Apart from Tibet, they had regular trade with Central Asian countries and Chinese Turkistan. Caravans used to travel across the Karakoram pass to Yarqand and Kashgar. For people of Kashmir prior to 1947, Ladakh was a remote place, very far and difficult to travel to. Even now in spite of the modern means of travel and communications, most of the Kashmiris consider a posting in Ladakh, especially to some rural areas of Leh district as a punishment and a virtual exile. If one day Tibet becomes an Autonomous Region, Ladakhis may opt to be closer to Lahasa than to New Delhi, Islamabad or Srinagar. Even at present they have been agitating to have a direct link to New Delhi by becoming a Union Territory in preference to any association with Kashmir. In contrast to this, the people of the Muslim majority Kargil district of Ladakh have been closer to Skardu in the Pakistan’s Northern Areas than to Leh or Srinagar. The stock of the people of this entire region is known as Balti and the area is called Baltistan. Sometimes locally it is known as Bloaristan. Here again the Buddhists of Zanskar valley feel closer association with Leh than with Kargil or Srinagar. The only year round link of entire Kargil with outside world is through Skardu than through Leh or Srinagar. Presently due to closure of Skardu link, the Kargil prefers to associate itself more with Kashmir through Srinagar than with Leh or New Delhi purely due to religious reasons. There are more than 7,000 families in Skardu and Kargil who are related to each other. The only option they have to meet or see each other is by co-ordinating their visits to Makkah during Hajj or Umrah. The people of this entire belt have common culture, language and even religion. If ever an option is given to Kargil people, they may prefer to get linked to Skardu to be united once again with Baltistan than to Leh or Srinagar. In the present context, they seem to be comfortable with Kashmir. A large number of boys and girls from Kargil are studying in Srinagar. Any solution of Kashmir will have to take into account all these peculiarities of the local situation on ground.

When sore festers and pain goes beyond cure, that is the time to find a touch that heals it up. Kashmir is one such festering sore which craves for an immediate, but a durable solution. The problem has many dimensions, so solutions can’t be readymade and tentative. There has got to be a great deal of seriousness on part of the policy makers so that a long pending conflict finds a long lasting solution. M. Ashraf explains Kashmir dispute from a historical perspective with reference to the current challenges and demands
Let us now analyse the situation in Jammu. The Dogras have ruled over Kashmir valley for a century. They now feel somewhat allergic to rulers from Srinagar. In fact they have been instrumental in alienating valley Muslims more and more from the Indian mainstream. It was the Praja Parishad agitation in early fifties for total merger of Kashmir with India (Ek Nishan, Ek Vidhan, Ek Pradhan), which forced Sheikh Abdullah to make a somersault and turn against India. Jammu people have fully associated themselves with the neighbouring states of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal and have developed very strong economic, social, cultural and religious links. The shrine of Mata Vaishnov Devi in Katra attracts over six million pilgrims every year from all over India, which has given Jammu a strong spiritual link with the rest of the country. During last half century Jammu has seen much better economic development than Kashmir. There has been investment of thousands of crores in Jammu. This is because of the fact that both the people of Jammu as well as people from rest of India have felt quite comfortable in dealing with each other.
A large number of flourishing industries are functioning in Jammu’s Industrial Estates. People have developed very good business contacts with neighbouring states. Jammu has very good rail as well as road links with rest of India. Kashmir’s only operational road link with the outside world is the most fragile one and gets blocked for days and weeks especially during severe winter. Even during the worst turmoil of last decade and a half, Jammu has fared much better than Kashmir, which has totally gone down in every respect. The population of the two and a half Hindu majority districts of Jammu Province (Kathua, Jammu and half of Udhampur) feel quite happy with present link up with rest of India. In fact they have been agitating for complete merger with the rest of the country by abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution conferring Special Status on the State of Jammu & Kashmir. In any final settlement even the Pakistanis would not be happy in having this area with them simply to avoid the headaches which India has been facing by incorporating the Muslim majority areas into their dominion. The other three and a half districts, which have the Muslims as the majority population, (Doda, Poonch, Rajouri and portions of Udhampur), are very closely linked to Kashmir by language, culture and religion. In fact these areas have historically been part of the Independent Sovereign State of Kashmir in ancient times. Doda (Ancient Kashtavata) and Poonch (Ancient Parontsa) had always been very strongly connected to the ancient Kingdom of Kashmir. These areas form the southern periphery of the Valley of Kashmir and constitute together what has been termed as the “Greater Kashmir”. The inhabitants of this mountainous belt are mostly Kashmiri speaking who have migrated from the valley either voluntarily in earlier times or have been settled there as a buffer and a defence for the valley from the most vulnerable southern side. They are the guardians of this natural defence barrier. Even during the recent turmoil this area has proved a very safe sanctuary for the militants who have been roaming here freely. This area forms a watershed between the two provinces of Jammu and Kashmir and could be a natural boundary. It falls on the two sides of the “Chenab Line”.
Next comes “Azad” (Free) Kashmir, which is the part of the former State of Jammu & Kashmir under the administrative control of Islamabad. It is called “Free” Kashmir but is free in name only as far as the political control of the area is concerned. Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs in Islamabad has the final say concerning all matters relating to this area. Both the President and Prime Minister of the area report to him. Pakistanis have not encouraged any independent thinking politicians to grow in the area. In view of the strategic importance of the area it has always functioned as “Controlled” rather than “Azad” Kashmir. In any case, the population of the major portion of this area is not related to the valley of Kashmir both linguistically as well as culturally. They are all non-Kashmiri speaking except for a couple of small pockets on the border of the valley. They are more related to Punjabi speaking people of the plains. In the mountainous areas they are Gurjar or Pahari type. The people living in the vicinity of the Line of Control on both sides are of the same stock and are closely related to each other. Again in ancient times they acted as guardians of the valley against invaders from this side as they are very hardy and tough fighters. In fact, the soldiers from this area who were in his army started the main revolt against the Maharaja’s autocratic rule in 1947 in Poonch. However, the main leaders of the revolt including Sardar Ibrahim crossed over to Pakistan side and formed part of the set up on that side. They have been leading the campaign for total liberation of Kashmir from the Pakistan side. By and large the people of the area seem now to be happy and content with Pakistani set up except for some politicians. There has not been any upheaval or a regular movement against Pakistan’s control of the area as against the problems on the Indian side. In fact some of the parts are quite prosperous and well developed. Better than any other part of Pakistan in similar rural locations. Mirpur is known as “Chota” (small) London. A large number of people from this area have gone all over the world in search of jobs. They are settled in U.K. and many other countries. Most of the cab drivers in Washington and New York are from this area. A sizeable portion of their population is working in Middle East especially in Gulf Region. The remittance prosperity and modern education has made the elitist groups among them more vocal for demanding independence and freedom. They have started resenting the Islamabad control over their lives and would like to be freer. In fact, some of the politicians and intellectuals with whom Kashmiris of the valley have interacted have been advised by them to ask for total freedom and independence rather than merger with Pakistan. It seems that they may like to get associated with an Independent Kashmir with Srinagar as capital than be an outpost of Islamabad. Now it is to be seen whether the valley inhabitants would also feel closer to them. This could be possible if there is totally free movement and interaction across the Line of Control. However, in view of the strategic importance of this area especially the vulnerability of Pakistan from this side, they may not like to loosen their grip on this region in any future set up of Kashmir. They may prefer to have it as a full-fledged province with all constitutional facilities as given to other provinces rather than allow it to secede unless the Indian side also secedes from the mainland. Once again it must be emphasised that all these basic issues will have to be considered in any future set up which may be proposed as a solution of the problem. However, for any lasting solution the priority will have to be given to the wishes of the concerned local population. This is essential in order to avoid any future unrest and creation of newer problems.
Let us take the Northern Areas now. In ancient Kashmir, Dardistan had a very important role to play in the affairs of Kashmir. It was linked to Kashmir through Gurez and Tilel valleys. Most of the rebel leaders and even fugitive kings found sanctuary in this area. Kalhana has very beautifully described the escape of King Bhoja across the Harmukh Mountains to this area. The description surpasses accounts of any of the present day mountaineering expeditions. Physically this is world’s most beautiful and dramatic mountain area. The second highest mountain peak in the world, K-2 or Godwin Austin is located here. In fact, six of the world’s highest mountains are here. The tourism potential of the area is immense. Strategically the area is known as the “Himalayan Battleground”. The importance of the area grew tremendously during the Czarist Empire in Russia as it touches the Pamirs. The British in order to keep a check on the expansionist designs of the Russian Czars, established a direct foot hold in Gilgit by creating the Gilgit Agency. However, the area continued to form part of the Dogra Maharaja’s princely State of Jammu & Kashmir. The people of this area are very tough and hardy. They are given to hunting and all other adventurous sports. The Regiment of Gilgit Scouts was created from among the locals to guard and defend the area against any outside incursions. In 1947 after the departure of the British, the Gilgit Scouts revolted against the authority of the Dogra Ruler and declared their allegiance to Pakistan. They hoisted Pakistani flags and voluntarily opted for merger with Pakistan. However, at that time they never knew what they were getting into? Pakistan instead of honouring their voluntary offer to breakaway from the Maharaja and join them, turned the area into the worst form of a colony in the entire sub-continent. The Chief Secretary appointed by the Islamabad Government rules the entire area called the “Northern Areas of Pakistan”.
He is a Civil Service of Pakistan Officer who acts as the Chief Executive of even the elected Council of Northern Areas. He is answerable only to the Federal Minister of Northern Areas at Islamabad. The highest elected Councillor is called the Deputy Chief Executive. Pakistan Government in order to keep the local people in check have settled a large number of Pathans from the North West Frontier Province in the whole area at different vintage locations. For them it is the most strategic area having the direct access to China through the famous Karakoram Highway. The other tragedy with this area has been that they have never been owned by the so-called “Azad” Kashmir. There are absolutely no links between them. The people of Northern Areas may prefer to get linked with Srinagar rather than Islamabad depending upon the status of Kashmir in any future set up. In any case they would not like to join India. They may settle for Pakistan provided they are given the constitutional status of a full-fledged province like other constituents of that country. With an elected Assembly and their own Chief Minister, they may not feel so neglected or isolated as at present.

Kashmir for Kashmiris is the only solution - III

Kashmir – the only solution

When sore festers and pain goes beyond cure, that is the time to find a touch that heals it up. Kashmir is one such festering sore which craves for an immediate, but a durable solution. The problem has many dimensions, so solutions can’t be readymade and tentative. There has got to be a great deal of seriousness on part of the policy makers so that a long pending conflict finds a long lasting solution. M. Ashraf explains Kashmir dispute from a historical perspective with reference to the current challenges and demands
Finally, we come to the most contentious part, the inhabitants of the valley and surrounding areas who are the true and real Kashmiris. Their culture, traditions and language are quite ancient. This group of people has been a part of history for almost 5000 years. Kashmiris have survived as a nation all these years in spite of tremendous external oppression because of their resilience and adaptability to the ravages of time. Kashmir has been known from the earliest times throughout the world not only for its charming landscape and salubrious climate but also for the intelligence and beauty of its people. It was a famous seat of learning and scholars from many lands used to come here for studies. In ancient times the Sharda University was renowned for its scholastic pursuits. The intelligence of Kashmiris is evident from the fact that three most important personalities in the region have Kashmiri origin. Jawahar Lal Nehru the moving spirit behind free India was of Kashmiri origin. Dr.Sir Mohammad Iqbal, famous Poet and Philosopher who was the spiritual force behind the creation of Pakistan was of Kashmiri origin. Iran’s National Poet Gani Kashmiri who wrote more than one hundred thousand verses in Persian was of Kashmiri origin. Kashmiris were not the timid and cowardly people they are often depicted to be but very adventurous and chivalrous. They had mounted a number of expeditions to far away lands and all the adjoining kingdoms were under their sway. Ancient Kashmir was a famous Hindu State of Trikka Philosophy of Saivism, which probably forms the highest order in the spiritual thought of this religion. Even these days the Saivite Brahmins of South India pray in the direction of Kashmir considering it the ancient seat of the highest Saivite learning. Subsequently Buddhism flourished in Kashmir and the Third Buddhist Council was held in Srinagar in first century AD during the time of Kanishka. This Council constitutes a milestone in the spread of this religion as the ancient Hinayan School was transformed into Mahayan School. Bhikshus from Kashmir spread the religion throughout South East Asia, China and other places. After the decline in Buddhism, Saivism came back into ascendancy and Kashmir once again became an important Hindu State. Islam was brought into Kashmir in the twelfth century AD through the preachers from Iran. Sayed Ali Hamadani, popularly known as Shah-I-Hamadan is the patron saint that was responsible for the mass conversion of the people due to his dedicated selfless preaching and spiritual prowess. All the religious changes in Kashmir have been through exemplary preaching without any cataclysm. This is one of the major reasons for an unmatched religious tolerance in Kashmir. Even while converting to Islam, the Kashmiris have continued to retain a number of ancient Hindu traditions and customs and these are practised even today. Kashmir’s spiritual schools of Reshis (Mystics) famous throughout the world had completely blurred the distinction of Hindu and Muslim and taught only Humanism. It is only after the partition of the sub-continent in 1947 that a religious divide was introduced into Kashmir. In spite of infusion of intolerant ideas from outside and numerous attempts to create a communal divide among the Kashmiris in the valley, they continue to cherish their common heritage and culture. Departure of Pandits engineered from outside did create a vacuum which is felt by all Muslims in the valley. However, even at present whenever Kashmiri Muslims and Pandits bump into each other outside Kashmir, they behave as Kashmiris first. They jointly pine for that good old “Mouj Kashir”, which was their peaceful home but is now shattered by turmoil. Kashmiri Pandits are scattered all over the world. They are truly homeless and their very identity as a distinct race is threatened. After sometime they may get absorbed in various societies where they are living except the ones in refugee camps in Jammu. It is said that every blade of grass in the world has a small piece of earth under it in which it has its roots and from where it derives its nourishment. Without this piece of earth the blade of grass is meaningless and becomes a straw blown by wind from place to place. Pandits have to return to their home and there is only one home for all and that is Kashmir. The Muslims who are stuck up in Kashmir are virtually in a prison. Some people may claim that Kashmir is calm and normal but that way a graveyard can also be termed to be calm and quiet. Probably Kashmir has the highest ratio of security forces to local population. There is an armed soldier for every 10 Kashmiris or so. The fundamental rights are practically suspended due to the draconian legislations giving unbridled powers to the security forces. It is difficult for a Kashmiri to leave Kashmir. He is a suspect wherever he may be. Even to get a passport takes ages. All civic services are in shambles. Environment is getting degraded irreversibly day by day. Social life has been adversely affected.
Over the last half a century there has been a systematic attempt to Indianise everything in Kashmir. Once very rich and composite culture has been slowly moulded to take on the National hue thereby distorting the original, which had survived all the ravages of time. Kashmiri language is slowly vanishing, as it is not taught even in the primary schools. Similarly Kashmir’s economy has been slowly made dependent on outside aid. Unemployment especially of the educated is probably the highest anywhere in relation to the total population. Corruption has reached colossal proportions. Only people with saleable loyalty are flourishing. The genuine and honest ones find it difficult to survive. A mere glance over the history will show that the present times are the worst ever faced by Kashmiris as their very existence as a Nation is threatened. When one takes an overall view of the situation in the whole State of Jammu & Kashmir (as it existed in 1947), it becomes clear that during last half century the bulk of population in Kashmir has had the worst deal. This is because the valley has had so many upheavals and everything has been swinging up and down like a pendulum. No doubt other areas too have been affected but the effect on Kashmir has been visible and shattering. The greatest misfortune of the Kashmiris living in the valley and its periphery, which has compounded their sufferings, has been the total and absolute lack of genuine and honest leadership. Every one who has tried to lead them has left them half way in absolute lurch. It is difficult to understand why the local leaders who are claiming to represent Kashmiris are apologetic about their own cause and take on the burdens of the whole state or for that matter the whole sub-continent and even South Asia? Why cannot they plead the cause of their own people by being Kashmiris first? Leaders have here always started with the goal of getting a place of honour and dignity for the people but have in the end found a place for themselves only leaving the Nation in the wilderness, totally confused! There is such a variety of leadership that even outsiders are confused as to whom they should engage with? The present complex situation of conflict with multi-pronged pressures both internal as well as external and the divided loyalties being purchased like commodities by interested players hardly leaves room for a genuine and honest leadership to emerge. First essential for any solution to succeed is to ensure emergence of a truly representative genuine leadership in all the regions of the State and their total engagement for any final settlement of the problem to their best satisfaction. Without this any attempt at finding a solution would be keeping a lid on a simmering pot which can boil over unexpectedly from time to time.
Let us now try to visualise possible solutions. Numerous proposals have been presented and thoroughly debated in the past and new ones are being discussed in different political forums at present. However, it has been observed that the majority of proposals made have certain underlying motivations. There have been very few objective proposals from the viewpoint of the main party that is the Kashmiris. Most of the proposed solutions take us back to 1947 set up of the State and start from there for achieving a break through. As has been pointed out earlier, in case of Kashmir we have to go back to 1586 AD when the Sovereign State ceased to exist. General Pervez Musharraf in his “Media Projected Solution” had observed that there are seven regions, which need to be identified first. Well, he needs to be corrected. There is one main well-identified region, which is the crux of the whole problem. It has a historical perspective going well beyond the partition and even the creation of Pakistan as a new country in the sub-continent. That region is Kashmir. The real and historical Kashmir. The State of Jammu & Kashmir as it existed at the time of partition was artificially clobbered together by the Dogras while as the Independent State of Kashmir existed from the ancient times and was known world over. The other regions too have existed for generations and the people residing there have their aspirations. These aspirations have received some fulfilment during last half a century but the aspirations of Kashmiris have been lingering and have remained unfulfilled for centuries. If this main region, which is the core problem is settled and satisfied, the rest will be easier to handle. The other regions have not faced the bloody upheavals and repeated conflicts on their own but have got involved because of Kashmir. The most lasting solution for the core problem would be restoration of Kashmir as an Independent Sovereign State as it had existed historically and not as it existed in 1947. There has been suggestion of the “United States of Kashmir” again projecting the colonial entity. It would amount to continuance of the colonially clobbered regions, which would again run into problems due to peculiar situation in each region as well as the divided loyalties of the people residing therein. The only thing keeping them together in spite of wide differences is the fact that all of these are under one superior external power. Secondly, Kashmir has become a bone of contention between two nuclear powers of the sub-continent. Each is claiming the territory for its own compelling reasons. The least controversial and in a way an honourable exit for the both would be leave to Kashmiris alone to their own fate! It has been often stated that Kashmir cannot survive as an independent entity both politically as well as economically. Well, politically it did survive for better part of its history. It was only due to external aggression of a much stronger adversary that it lost its sovereignty. This has been the case everywhere. It can again survive in the presence of the present gigantic neighbours if they have a gentleman’s agreement to leave it alone. If the neighbours of Switzerland could allow it to survive the two most destructive wars in the world, why not Kashmir? China, India and Pakistan have to agree to make it truly and really the Switzerland of Asia. It could be the meeting point for all these three giants. If Saint Kits with a population of 75 thousand or so can be the smallest country in the world and a member of the United Nations, why not Kashmir? There are no political inhibitions. It is only honouring the will of the people and respecting their decision. It is also often argued that the clock cannot be turned back and the borders cannot be redrawn. Tom Paine once said that there never was, there never can and there never will exist a generation of men which can bind posterity till end of time! Each generation of men is free to decide how it wants to live.
The idea of ruling beyond the grave is preposterous. An ideal espoused by a minority becomes a rebellion but the same ideal pursued by the majority constitutes a revolution. The clock has not mattered in case of joining and subsequent separation of Singapore and Malaysia. The clock has not mattered in case of the formation and subsequent disintegration of USSR. It did not matter for Eritrea. Then why should it matter in the case of Kashmir? Especially when the initial clubbing together is questionable? As regards the economic viability, these days no country is totally independent economically. The world has been turned into a global village. Every country is dependent on the other. Compared to dozens of other countries functioning as independent sovereign members of the comity of nations, Kashmir has much better resources provided these are allowed to be developed without any interference. Hydroelectric power generation, agriculture based industries and horticulture, floriculture, forest based industries including pharmaceuticals and the international tourism are some of the sectors of Kashmir’s economy which can make it totally independent and self-sufficient. There can be no two opinions that given a peaceful conducive atmosphere and freedom to attract global investments, the year round tourism alone can be the largest revenue earner and employment generator. Independent Kashmir or Kashir as it is locally known as, is a very romantic, emotional and fascinating goal for every Kashmiri but the million-dollar question is how to achieve it? It cannot come by the mere stroke of a pen. It has to come through the hearts and minds of the people. First and foremost requirement is to accept without any reservations whatsoever the existence of the problem not as a territorial dispute but as a human problem concerning the future of millions. Next is the total softening of borders to allow unhindered interaction among all regions on both sides of the Line of Control. The real and true interaction on a mass scale and not the symbolic crossing of few persons once in a blue moon. The release of all political prisoners wherever held. Removal of security forces from all civilian areas by withdrawing them in the first instance to their barracks. With drawl of all draconian legislations giving unbridled powers to the security forces for dealing with the civilians and restoration of the civil authority presently superseded by the security forces. Gradual decreasing of the level of forces in all regions by their despatch back to mainland in each country. Total removal of all restrictions on free public expression of political thought and ideas. Handing over of the day-to-day functioning of local civilian authorities for self-governance to the true representatives of the people to be chosen through internationally supervised elections. Engagement of representatives from all sections of the society with the representatives of the two countries to achieve a consensus for proceeding to the goal of the ultimate solution, Kashmir for Kashmiris! The whole process to be made time bound and not to be left to the future generations for final fulfilment. This is the only solution, practical and realistic for this most vexed problem. Time is running out fast. Any other patchwork will only delay the periodic volcanic eruption, which Kashmir along with the entire sub-continent has become used to by now. However, the next eruption will have the dimensions of destructive nuclear power and may leave nothing to be solved!

--Concluded

The author can be mailed at:  author is Imtiyaz Reshi email reshiimtiyaz777 @gmail.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it