AR Bhat
India and Pakistan have fought four wars over Kashmir and have held several rounds of talks to resolve the 73-year-old issue, but without any tangible success. Although both India and Pakistan appear trying to break away from past and think afresh on Kashmir, yet no significant policy shift is brought on table. For Pakistan, it still is the problem of Kashmir i.e., Kashmir a ‘Disputed Territory’ and an ‘unfinished agenda of Partition’ as for India it is the ‘Problem in Kashmir’ suggesting that Kashmir is an integral part of India and the challenge now is to address cross border terrorism and development and grievances of the people of Kashmir. We must truly understand the basic problems in Kashmir pertaining to youth, civil administration and the development measures undertaken by the Government. Moreover, it is important to clarify and identify the Kashmir issue from the perception of India, Pakistan and Kashmir itself to find out an optimistic resolution.
Kashmir is an ethnically diverse Himalayan region, covering around 86,000 sq miles (138 sq. km) and renowned for the beauty of its lakes, meadows and snowcapped mountains. Even before India and Pakistan achieved their independence from British in 1947, the area was hotly contested. Under the partition plan provided by the Indian Independence act, Kashmir was free to accede to either India or Pakistan. The Maharaja (Ruler), Hari Singh, initially wanted Kashmir to become independent but in October 1947 chose to join India in return for its help against an invasion by tribesmen from Pakistan.
A war erupted and India approached the UN asking it to intervene. UN recommended holding a plebiscite to settle the question whether the state would join India or Pakistan. As per UN resolution, Pak had to put back all its forces from PoK, while India was permitted to retain certain forces to administer the Indian portion of Kashmir. This vindicated India’s stand that it was Pakistan and not India, who had violated the sovereignty of Kashmir. Plebiscite was to be held only after Pakistan had pulled back all its forces, which was never done and hence the referendum was not conducted.
Pakistan’s Kashmir policy rests on two legs, the UN centric Kashmir policy i.e., UN resolution and cross border terrorism. The UN resolution have gradually become redundant and cross border terrorism has become more of a problem for Pakistan than a solution. Pakistan has over a period of time become frustrated at not being able to secure the confidence of the Kashmiri people, who reject a merger with Pakistan as a solution. As the ground situations over the last 73 yrs have changed, the relevance of the UNCIP resolutions has been completely eroded. Pakistan’s locus standi on Kashmir, based on UN resolution was weakened by the 1972 Shimla agreement which envisaged bilateralism as the basis for all Indo-Pakistan negotiations.
Since the 1980s Pakistan sponsored terrorism has paralysed normal life in Kashmir valley. India has undertaken proactive steps to promote human rights and build resilience against terrorism. Pakistan has mainstreamed terrorism as statecraft. It continues to provide financial and logistic support to cross border terrorism. India has always said that Jammu and Kashmir has been, is and will continue to remain an integral part of India and Pakistan should cease to covet it.
In contrast to Pakistan’s stand, India considers the J&K issue as an internal matter and focuses on addressing it internally. India’s thrust has been to accommodate the grievances and demands of the people of J&K within the constitutional framework and deal with the issues in Kashmir. The core of India’s J&K policy is based on combating cross border terrorism and weeding it out. India wishes to promote democracy and strengthen grassroot level systems in order to ensure effective and transparent governance and result in economic development of the region.
The valley has been on boil for the past 30 years. The essence of the strife has now taken a vicious turn from self determination to religious struggle. The culpability lies in the civil society, academicians, journalists, diplomats and communities alike. The state government, the centre and politicians are hugely responsible for mishandling the situation. The hostility has been compounded further by the failed governance in the state. Kashmir has huge potential of horticulture, floriculture, apiculture and adventure tourism, but the state political leadership have long closed their eyes to economic development of the state and advanced their personal agendas instead. The Burhan Wani episode was a watershed even in Kashmiri psyche and that should have been assuaged by offering massive employment opportunities to the educated and unemployed youth in order to wean away the youth from violence and separatism. Instead, it is well known that corruption has spiraled upward manyfold. Neither the civil society nor any government has come forward to channelize the energies of the youth.
The ability to speak to fellow citizens on issue of mutual concern is a valuable tool to promote understanding of different perspective and transform competing narratives on political, social and economic issues into narratives of shared concerns and co-existence. Dialogues within communities across Kashmir has proved challenging and presents a barrier to widespread youth engagement with political processes. The experience of violence and misguided youths turned terrorists brandishing their weapons openly has adversely affected the freedom of expression which have negatively affected the mental and physical health of Kashmiri population. Educational institutions in Kashmir have struggled to provide adequate opportunities to the young. Many people choose to leave Kashmir to study at institutions in mainland or elsewhere.
Unemployment is a huge concern for the youth of Kashmir. The biggest reason for this is that the state policy has always focused on keeping the region and its people exclusive and have resisted integration with the rest of the county. This lack of opportunity forces the youth to join terrorism. Youth often face the issue of skills getting wasted, nepotism in govt jobs and non-conducive situation to start new businesses. Post the abrogation of Article 370, the violence in Kashmir has remained under check. However, visible economic development in the state is still a long way forward. People in Kashmir are desirous of seeking guide fix solutions and visible changes in infra development which takes time. However, in the backdrop of promises made on the side lines of Abrogation of Art 370 there is underlying angst which must be addressed. The government should initiate a genuine outreach program through extensive publicity which can build confidence and trust. Young people are naturally, socially and politically more aware and possess an invaluable potential. Youth of Kashmir should be given ample opportunities in terms of education. Employment opportunities as per the skills possessed should be provided without any favoritism and shades of Nepotism. Investments in infrastructure development, promotion of trade and industry including tourism, cottage industries and handicrafts has to be undertaken by the govt.
Kashmir is an integral part of India and various measures such as entrepreneur schemes, funding sports talents, planning of job opportunities for youths, establishing information technology hub and placement agencies are the few measures which needs to be undertaken to address the problems in Kashmir. Education, economic development and wellbeing of local citizens is and will always be the focus for fostering an everlasting solution.
