Jummu and Kashmir : toward greater uncertainty ?

For 70 years, the region would be shaken by border disputes and was declared an international disputed area. Pakistan and India’s fight for its control has resulted in three wars and numerous terror attacks in Kashmir territory until this day.

Jummu and Kashmir is a conflicted region of Asia where people have been embarked in an everlasting political instability since 1947. On August 5th 2019, the Prime Minister of India revoked Kashmir’s autonomy.

Background

Back in 1947, after the independence of India and Pakistan, the English divided territories between the two countries based on religion. Pakistan was given to the Muslim majority and India to the Hindus. This bloody partition led to the displacement of one million refugees, the provinces rulers mostly following the will of their people.

However, Jummu and Kashmir was a Muslim majority population ruled by a hindu monarch, who chose to stay neutral. This neutrality sparked a rebellion joined by Pakistani tribesmen who were afraid that the ruler would decide to join India; this marked the first Indo Pakistani War (1947).

Where oil is thrown on the water

According to article 370 of the Constitution of India, J and K* had a special status allowing them to legislate its own law except in defense, finance, external affairs and communications. The suspension of that law without the consent of the State or any elected members was a surprise to everyone back in August. Article 35 A, on the other hand, stated that the only people who could buy land were to be states residents, excluding women, refugees and foreigners. Now with the modification of that article nonresident are allow to own properties in Kashmir. This unilateral decision made by India challenged Pakistan’s influence over the disputed area, and created chaos as phones, internet and shops were shut down for days following the announcement.

What do the people want?

Kashmir Nationals certainly wish to go on with their lives and live peacefully. Instead, this new change in the constitution, sparked anger and anxiety among the population and only made them feel more vulnerable and powerless. Some were born during the war and would like to see an end to this everlasting battle.

Pakistan and India should step back and allow this autonomous region’s government to rule on its own term. Instead, the two countries accused each other of refusing the right to self-determination to the people of Kashmir and interfering in their internal affair (UNHRCouncils).

Kashmir should be a place where cohabitation between the two countries citizens is peaceful; Kashmiris must unite and show the politicians that they are one and cannot be torn apart. It would probably be a long process but slowly a united front will lessen the opportunities for external influences to insert themselves there, divide and destroy the cohesion.

Nuclear and threats

In addition to the harsh words the leaders have had for each other these past years, the tensions and worries are also fueled by the nuclear weapon both countries possess. It would be disastrous for the tension to rise higher.

Bengladesh case. A little throwback

Pakistan might be refusing to let go of J and K because it has already lost a territory because of India (1971 Bengladesh Liberation War). After the English’s partition of territories, a small Eastern portion of the province, at the opposing end from of Pakistan, east of India was named Bengal and renamed East Pakistan. In March of 1979, Pakistan lead « Operation Search light » in Bengal, this attack aimed at erasing the hurdu language and executing those of Bangladesh ethnicity; half a million Bengali people lost their lives.

When Pakistan bombed a portion of northern India, the country entered the war and ended it. East Pakistan became the independent state of Bangladesh. The tension and trials for the war are still ongoing, with two Pakistanis figure executed for war crimes recently in 2018.

Pakistan having lost Bengladesh, might hold tight to Jummu and Kashmir to not see itself once again defeated by India. Was it easier for Bengladesh to break free because of their distance from Pakistan? and Indian intervention? Certainly, Jummu and Kashmir does not have this advantage.

India , by taking a unilateral decision regarding a highly disputed area, has created a huge turmoil and threats from the Pakistanis authorities. In acting so, it is thrusting the region into an even more uncertain future.