Re-thinking Kashmir

Hmmmm . . . another article on Kashmir.

Let me try to, if I may, place the view from my perspective as an equally avid watcher?

a) Kashmir is a ``core`` issue for Pakistan. It becomes a reason for Pakistan`s very existence. I see this in all forums in and about Pakistan.

b) Kashmir is a ``core`` issue for Indo-Pak relations. Kashmir is, therefore, a ``core`` emotive issue for Indian and Pakistani news media, especially in the Punjabi/Hindi/Urdu belt.

c) Kashmir is not a ``core`` issue for India. Truly, Kashmir is not a reason for India`s existence. I do not see Kashmir cropping up in all forums about India.

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The day Pakistanis understand this, will be the day India & Pakistan dialogue emerges from the dark cave its been in for the past few decades.

Now, next question - does it suit the benders of minds, the perception builders, to portray this?

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Thank you.

From : Shoaib Zafar

Kashmir is not only the issue for the establishment of peace and existace of two countries but it is also a topic which has given a lot of benifits to the film industry of India and Pakistan. Some of the top hit movies of India are on the subject of Kashmir. (I don`t think India would like to lose this subject by solving the problem of Kashmir)

#1

That is always the case when one is a status quo power. India is content with what it has, hence no need to have it as a core issue. In fact India would not like it to be an issue at all.

What good would that do Pakistan?

The events in Kashmir in the past few months, where a score of people from occupation army are regularly being despatched to the Narkh by Kashmiri freedom fighters, indicate that the freedom struggle is and it always was indigenous. Now that Pakistan has a certificate of good behaviour from both Hindus and their papa amrika, all those who balmed poor mullah must realize the truth.

stuka #3

``That is alway the case....``

Not true. In the context of Indo-China, neither India nor China is the real status-quo power. Both are `revisionist` powers but neither has made that difference a core issue.

The world is full of such examples. We are dealing here with a very particular country with a very particular worldview.

Shoaibzafar

Post #2

Quote:

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countries but it is also a topic which has given a lot of benifits to the film industry of India and Pakistan. Some of the top hit movies of India are on the subject of Kashmir. (I don`t think India would like to lose this subject by solving the problem of Kashmir)

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That maybe true about Pakistan.

As to India, IIRC on an average around 700/800 movies are made/released in a year (around 150 are in hindi language rest are in other regional languages). Out of these, can one tell, how many are made on the subject of J&K? Leave alone the hit ones how many altogether in a year? And then, also inform how many have been made in the last 25 years..and/or even before that.

Point is, what is the basis of this assertion that movies made on the subject of J&K have given lot of benefits to Indian film industry, and because of that they would not like to see J&K imbroglio solved?

Why make a film on Kashmir? Why not make one on Taliban in Afghanistan or power relations in rural Pakistan or Balochistan/NWFP madrassas or women in jail for zina ?

Why is virtually every bit of activism is directed at India?

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Kashmir is not worth all this stupid expensive nuclear deadly enemity between Pakistan and for the last 56 years. there are thousands times more benefits in peace and harmony between essentially the same people on either side of the border -- than this mindless daily fratricide of the flowers of the Hindu Muslim Sikhs and Buddhist communities.

the following that are -- the NON STARTERS -- and items not in fashion today`s subcontinental politics:

-- Plebiscite
-- Separation of Muslim Valley from Hindu Jammu and Buddhist Ladakh
-- Division of Indian Kashmir on communal or any basis
-- Exchange of territory under any pretext
-- ``Islami Hukoomat`` in the Muslim Valley -- an impossible nightmare
-- Independence under any circumstances

so what remains is :

-- full autonomy for each section of Kashmir on either side of LOC governed by the Kshmiris themselves with -- Defense, Foreign affairs and Finance -- in the hands of India and Pakistan for their respective Kashmiri regions......
-- LOC not as an International border but as a Kashmiri Border manned by the Kashmiris
-- a secular democratic governance in BOTH Kashmirs with ironclad guaranteed rights of minorities -- as equals...

the Indians are ready .... to bury the Hatchet -- if only Musharraf is...

If Musharraf can bring his army and all the the leaders of the mainstream parties (that will be the day) and all the the fringe lunatic brigands -- together -- toward the consensus to solve the `core issue` of Kashmir......

.....then all his sins and criminalities will be forgiven by the history...and he will live immortalized in the history of the subcontinent as the GREAT UNITER not as -- the Great Divider -- which he is right now of his own country....

Pipe Dream?....

btw Beena -- a great write up...blessed are the peacemakers..

Ralph:

China is the status quo power. It would be wrong to say both are revisionist. China may have been revisionist about it in the early 50s but after changing the facts of the ground they are very much the status quo power. It is India that runs after China trying to get some progress in the border case.

Pakistan is a revisionist entity in Kashmir. Strategically their mistake has been to allow a high degree of emotional involvement of the people in the national stake. All the Pakistani establishment has done is paint itself into a corner about selling a settlement to its own people. If India does a status quo on China, politicians may yell and scream but the people won`t be involved beyond a feeling of relief.

#9

You really need to ask that question?

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rather than playing around the issue and blaming india for the unauthorized rule over kashmir or accusing pakistan of fighting a freedom struggle it has no right to deal with, its more important that we try and see what can be done to help save the lives of those being harmed by this conflict. so those of u who talk about social injustics in both countries whether its the zina and blasphemy laws in pakistan or the results of the purely hindu ideology of the BJP, shut up and give those who seek solutions a chance!

#1 by veeresh #8 by nikki7777

Did you even read the article before penning your valuable input?

It just does not get into your head that anytime you have an insurgency local or foreign inspired, it is a core issue for any country. Would India give up Kashmir because it is NOT a core issue? India’s sovereignty and authority in Kashmir is being challenged and we have some cretins telling us that it is NOT a core issue. The India govt may not say it but they know it is a core issue and that’s why they wanna talk to Pakistan and Kashmiris.

Now a word about this Status quo crap. Why is India talking to Pakistan about Kashmir, if it is a status quo power? Why we have 700K odd Indian army in Kashmir, if India is a status quo power? Why is India calling for solution of Kashmir if it is a status quo power? All India had to do is state its claim and say good bye and that would show that it is a status quo power but it is talking/negotiating for some results and that means some give and take. Come on! Scratch your head couple of times. If India is a Status quo power then Pakistan is a fauking kick-ass power as it is making India talk disregarding this status quo crap.

The documentary clearly has a purpose. The Pakistan army plays many games and I will be hard-pressed to believe that Hoodbhoy does not have connections in the right places. Is there anybody who believes that Hoodbhoy or his cronies would be allowed to make and release a documentary about Kashmir and support a new approach to Kashmir issue w/o some mighty support from higher ups in Pakistan?
The army in Pakistan would never allow anything about Kashmir that is not first cleared by the army. Hoodbhoy is not the type to say things that would irk the army and He ends up wearing the designer Shalwar in the Pindi Jail.
The documentary is being shown in Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore to the Pakistani elite which is already convinced that they need to resolve the Kashmir issue with India then why is Hoodbhoy preaching to the already converted? In fact, Islamabad is 80% federal govt so, now Pakistani foreign office learning about its Kashmir policy from Hoodbhoy? Give me a break.

Here is what I think, I may be wrong; I hope people would correct me.
The army in Pakistan needs to move away from the Kashmir crap now. It is taking up a new role for the US in the area and that new role would eliminate the need for Kashmir as its basic plank to justify its dominant position in Pakistan.
Recently Khalid Ahmed discussed the army and terrorism issue in TFT. He pointed out that the army is keeping the terrorist as it wants to hold on to its options in Kashmir. IMO, Pakistan’s reluctance to go after the terrorist does not come from its desire to have an option in Kashmir. It is keeping the terrorist, as w/o the terrorist somewhere on Pakistani soil, it would be a hard sell for the army to take up the role that the US thinks the Pakistan army should play in the central Asia and the Middle East. (Long term question- Would Pakistan be the new Israel in the Middle East?)
The US is practically begging the NATO countries to supply arms to Pakistan until it gets congressional approvals in the US. Now new arms supplies to the Pak army are a sensitive issue for India. There have to be some Ironclad guarantees for India to believe that those arms would not be used against India in future. If both Pakistan and India are still talking to each and it appears they are, then India already has those guarantees from the US and India would accept those guarantees if Pakistan gives up on Kashmir issue discreetly.
What other things are happening to support my view:
1. Pakistan is re-admitted to commonwealth with support from India.
2. Pakistan is again a favorite nation for EU countries.
3. Pakistan is now a non-Nato Ally of the US
4. Pakistan is admitted to Asean with India’s support and heavy lobbying from the US.
5. Pakistan promised that it will not raise issues w/India in Asean.
6. The US is getting ready to provide massive economic support to Pakistan.
7. The US is looking for ways to find more arms supplies for Pakistan.
8. Pakistan’s own internal set up is being readjusted for long term needs.

This documentary is a PR exercise to convince foreign legions and other interested groups to be ready for dropping of Kashmir issue somewhere along the lines. Who best to sell it- A perfectly acceptable scholar, who is known to have somewhat radical positions on Pakistan foreign Policy- Hoodbhoy.

re:#4 by Urstruly
The fencing on the LOC is nearing completion. After that, all this discussion on who should have control over the valley will, i think, be academic. LOC will become the defacto I.B. Chew on that, Mr Mullah.
Sridhar