KASHMIR SOLUTION

A recent book by a Australian Christopher Snedden titled 'Kashmir :The Unwritten History' is a attempt to distort the events in Kashmir in 1947. He has rejected the historical invasion of  the Kashmir valley by the Pashtuns aided and abetted by Pakistan in 1947. Instead  he  contends that the cause of Kashmir division was the result of rebellion by the muslims in Poonch area against the Maharaja.

I do not think we should give so much importance to a so called foreign Kashmir specialist Mr Christopher Snedden whose facts and figures seems to be dubious and at variance from established historical facts. It is a favourite hobby of foreigners to meddle into Indian affairs and history so as to create obstacles for the Indian state to function peacefully. The fact that Jinnah instructed a Pakistani General to lead the Pashtun tribals is well known. The rape and loot of the Kashmiris by the tribals is also well known. This armed attack by Pakistan in the garb of a tribal raid prompted Maharaja Hari Singh to accede to India. Till then a part of the Kashmir now known as POK was taken over by Pakistan.

Kashmir is now a integral part of India and no negotiation is possible in its status. The fact is even for plebiscite Pakistan will have to return to us the illegal occupied Kashmir to us first. Regarding the hearts and minds of the Kashmiri people, too much is made of their resentment against India. The fact is that Kashmiri people want peace and prosperity more than independence. Everybody wants it. The people of the valley know that democracy and a liberal plural society is much more better than a Jihadi society such as which exist in Pakistan. They have already rejected this option of merging with Pakistan. They can also not exist as a independent state since it would come under Jihadi attack and conspiracies from Pakistan. The Kashmiri culture is close to a secular mindset. To think that Kashmiris have turned into terrorism mode due to one instance of Afzal Guru execution is not prudent.

Regarding the option put forward by the so called foreign specialist Mr Snedden of having a Panchyat sort discussion by all the regions of Kashmir seems to me a day dreaming exercise. This can never happen specially when Pakistan has practically annexed POK and the Hindus and Buddhist would never agree to such a proposal. To my mind the best solution is to remove section 370 giving special status to Kashmir so as to merge it fully into India. Let Pakistan keep POK. After this special protocols and treaties should be signed between India and Pakistan for opening the borders in Kashmir so that the people can move freely as if it is one state.

 

A.K.BUNDI