The state burning since 1947

Kashmir is not only the most beautiful state of the Republic Union of India but is also the most disturbed state of this country. The political chain of events and disturbance is not new with Kashmir. It has been more or less same over the period of time since 1947. Several leaders and writers have tried to analyze the root cause. Let me quickly brief a short history of this problem. When British very cleverly divided India into India and Pakistan they gave options to all the princely states to join any of these two countries or to remain independent. The Muslim majority Kashmir with its Hindu King, Raja Hari Singh decided to be independent. The most beautiful state between India and Pakistan was independent, how Pakistan under Jinnah could let it be at peace. So as expected they invaded Kashmir with their full Army and artillery. Raja Hari Singh and his Army at that time was not in the position to counter it, so they needed the help of the Indian Army. The help was provided but that was conditional that if and only if the King would sign the annexure document of Kashmir with India. After some thought, the King agreed for the annexation but on some special condition that provide special status to Kashmir from rest of India which is well described under article 35A.

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Indian Army then very successfully chased down the Pakistan Army who have infiltrated deep inside Kashmir. Indian Army could have very easily taken the entire state into its control then and there but our then Prime Minister, Pandit Nehru thought it would be wise if we stop at that point and let UN decide the rest. This could be termed as a historical mistake which has taken so many lives till now. Since then Paksitan has always tried with their heart and soul to capture the entire Kashmir but it has never been successful. Whether it was 1965 or 1999, whenever the Pakistan Army came for war they had to loose very badly and shamelessly. Now after few repeated mistakes they learnt the fact that couldn’t fight with India and take the entire Kashmir. So they found an alternative of insurgency or we can also name it as proxy war. The ISI and Pakistan Army now train the militants and send them to infiltrate and fight with the security forces of India. Meanwhile, they also spend a lot of money in diverting Indians of Kashmir and make them revolt against their own country. This is the biggest challenge of India.

Due to the special status of Kashmir, it is not like the other states of India. No one from India outside of Kashmir can buy lands there. This has led to massive poverty and unemployment in that state. Few rich landlords and politicians are getting richer and richer while the rest are getting poor and poorer. Also, no proper schools and colleges have been open there apart from government institution. Government institution has very limited seats like in all the other state and the lack of private institution has increased the illiteracy rate unlike other states where illiteracy rate has always gone down because of many good and reputed private colleges. Neither big entrepreneurs can invest anything on that land nor can they open any manufacturing plant which would have given a lot employment and boom to the economy there.

Every day, so many children are born in Kashmir and they end up to be unemployed as most of them remain illiterate. Also, if they are literate they don’t get jobs because of no industry. A big unskilled human resource is very cleverly used by ISI and Pakistan Army with the help of separatist leaders. Separatist leaders are the ones who want Kashmir to be independent again but this impractical. Pakistan can never let it happen ever. Several NIA investigations have found the separatists having links with ISI and their funding to disturb the state. The big separatist leaders persuade the youth to fight against Indian security forces and government but they themselves will send their own children in India or abroad to study and get jobs in Indian government or private sectors. The local of Kashmir should understand these double standards of so called separatists. Actually instead of separatists they could be said as B-wing of ISI who can sit in India and plan things against India.

When the youth are struggling under unemployment and poverty they come to see a most decorated terrorist of Hijbul, Burhan Wani. The youth get attracted towards him and his organization because they provide them with cash and inspire them to throw stones and fight with the security forces for azadi. The height of poverty is this much that for 500 bucks children are ready to become militant there.  They are sold a dream that after azadi their life would be very comfortable and peaceful but the local people would see how the people of POK are struggling. Their standard of living is worse than any Indian Kashmiris. The Pakistan government is least bothered for the people of POK, their health, their education and their employment. People are so much protesting to get freedom from Pakistan and now they want entire Kashmir to get in that situation.

In past few months our security forces have neutralized more than hundreds of militants. But this alone will never ever solve this problem. We will keep on killing them but there will be always someone to take that place. Until and unless we hit on the core issues of poverty, illiteracy and unemployment this conflict is not going to be end. In accordance with this problem, the Supreme Court is discussing about article 35A that if it could be amended in order to provide better facilities to the resident there. Its’ high time that this special status of Kashmir needs to be revised for the betterment of people of J&K. Once this will happen, children their will get better education, better jobs and better standard of living. People will start thinking wisely and they would not get diverted with the local leaders of there. Few local leaders never want the people to get educated there because it will adversely affect their political interest. Even Separatists funding form Pakistan would come to an end.  So it is time for a big move and amendment to article 35A is very much needed in the way to bring peace and prosperity to Kashmir.

Regional political parties should stop being selfish and start thinking for their people who have always elected them to power. Let the Central government and State government and all the local stakeholders of Kashmir discuss and amend the article 35A which would be the first step towards peaceful Kashmir. Once the state is free from militancy and revolts the tourism industry can grow in leaps and bounds and can be the backbone of their economy. This could let people from all over India and from the world to come and experience sometime in the paradise while they are still living.