Wanted: Solution to Kashmir issue, not war


Wanted: Solution to Kashmir issue, not war
Film producer Mahesh Bhatt among the activists kicking off the 2005 Delhi-Multan peace march

India must normalize the situation in Kashmir and talk to Pakistan to arrive at a solution that is agreeable to all Kashmiris as well as have e a declared state policy of peaceful and friendly relations with Pakistan, argues Magsaysay awardee Dr Sandeep Pandey

Sandeep Pandey

Sandeep Pandey

The atmosphere of jingoism being built up since the Uri attack raised fears of yet another India-Pakistan war – this time with a nuclear component that would spell destruction for both. Are those who are talking about war really prepared for cities on both sides to be turned into Hiroshimas and Nagasakis?

India and Pakistan have already fought four wars, none of which brought any solution. So the possibility of a solution emerging from war is slim. So why should we even consider the option of war? Talk of war is sheer madness.

While politicians may find war talk necessary, it is peace that is in the interest of common citizens. Whenever they meet, people on both sides share warm cordiality. A little over ten years ago, when we undertook a peace march on foot from Delhi to Multan, people along the way supported us warmly, on both sides. Thousands signed our signature campaign.

Punjab Agri Uni.jpg - The marchers were warmly supported throughout their journey

The marchers were warmly supported throughout their journey

One gentleman from a gurudwara near Jalandhar even suggested that the order of our demands on the signature campaign should be reversed. The first demand, which was our third, should be to make cross-border interactions easier by removing visa restrictions.

The other demands, he said, would follow. These were, and remain: 1) India and Pakistan must resolve all their issues through dialogue and resolve the Kashmir dispute according to wishes of the Kashmiri people. And 2) end nuclear weapons, reduce the defence budgets and spend them on development instead.

I was shocked at the amazing simplicity of this very intelligent suggestion. If there are friendlier relations between people, it will be easy to have a dialogue at the official level and there will be more willingness to accommodate each other’s point of view. It really is just as simple as that.

The Kashmir issue has to be resolved so that no soldier or ordinary citizen has to die. It is the Indian government’s responsibility to normalize the situation in Kashmir and talk to Pakistan to arrive at a solution that is agreeable to all Kashmiris.

 IndPk peace march 2005-Hindi-Diep.jpg - Peace march 2005: A warm welcome in Lahore

Peace march 2005: A warm welcome in Lahore

While it is admirable that our soldiers are brave and prepared to lay down their lives performing their duty, their lives are precious, especially for their family members. Why should we let them die unnecessarily?

Government policy will determine how safe we are. The governments of India and Pakistan can instantly create friendship and in the next moment become treacherous enemies. Why should the soldiers have to pay with their lives for the whims and fancies of leaders?

The Indian government has been trying to prevent the internationalisation of the Kashmir issue. By raising the Balochistan issue, it has in fact internationalised the issue. It may raise the Balochistan issue but its priority should be Kashmir. If more than 80 people are killed in J&K over two months and India uses pellet guns in which people, including children lose their lives and people lose their eyesight, it sends a very negative message to the world. It shows that the people of Kashmir are not with the Indian government.

Peace march-Multan.jpg - India-Pakistan peace marchers concluded their yatra in Multan.

India-Pakistan peace marchers concluded their yatra in Multan.

India blames Pakistan for the situation in J&K. But when women and children pick up stones against security forces it is a failure of India’s policies. Without putting its own house in order, blaming outsiders for every wrong in Kashmir doesn’t build any credibility for India internationally.

India and Pakistan have a shared culture, which provides a readymade basis for friendship. In any case Pakistan denies involvement in terrorist attacks on India and wants to join the peace effort.

The suggestion by the man in Jalandar remains relevant. Increased interaction among citizens will help the process of normalization and contribute towards resolving the Kashmir problem.

We, the people, expect our governments to stop talking about war and focus on finding solution to Kashmir problem. It should be a declared state policy that India will have peaceful and friendly relations with Pakistan. All it takes is an instant decision like the one Narendra Modi took when he decided to stop over in Pakistan on his way from Afghanistan. The time to act is now.

The writer is a Magsaysay awardee and Vice President, Socialist Party India, based in Lucknow. Email: [email protected]




3 thoughts on “Wanted: Solution to Kashmir issue, not war

  1. Ranjisdh

    Hi Sandeep,
    Why India always want to leech itself to Pakistan ? India and Pakistan are two different country with different aspirations and different destinations and both are completely different. If we want peace between two nations, we should not have any relationship except allowing people from both sides to visit there relatives and religious places..
    For Kashmir problem, solution is to declare LoC as international border and India should change its side of Kashmir status to pre-1953 ..giving local Kashmiri Valley people full control excep Defence, Foreign and Communication for 25 years and then review of how it goes.. Create separate UT for Jammu and Laddakh .( as they are getting discriminated by Valley govt)..
    Open Borders along LoC so that PoK and JK people can freely move around to meet there relatives and friends etc..
    Thanks
    Ranj.

    Reply
  2. Ranjisdh

    India and Pakistan fought 4 war in last 70 years which indicates that we can’t live as good and peaceful neighbor. This aman ki asha will never work.India and Pakistan should sign pact for 20 year to suspend all kind of relationships including consulate etc and stop meddling issues in India like related to Hindu Muslims and there is a court system in India..and Constitution provides equal right to everybody ..
    Let’s see how it goes..

    Reply
    1. Beena sarwar

      Suspending relations will not work. There are too many interlinked issues and relationships. You can choose to shut your eyes and your doors. We, people on both sides, will keep working and fighting for rights, peace, and justice.

      Reply

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