End the Bloodshed

Finally, it can be concluded that Pakistan has failed to internationalise the Kashmir issue. Pakistan did not find any nation to support its stand on Kashmir. The situation is such that Pakistan has now started blaming Islamic countries for their indifferent attitude towards Kashmir. Beyond doubt, it is big diplomatic win for India. But at the same time, the country should keep in mind that still there is a lot to be done to resolve the Kashmir issue. Otherwise, this win will become virtually meaningless. To make the victory at the international level permanent, efforts should be made to restore normalcy in the trouble-torn valley. All restrictions should be lifted and all those, who were arrested as precautionary measures should be released. Handing over power to elected representatives should also be a priority. The Centre has promised speedy economic developments in Jammu & Kashmir. The promise should be fulfilled. Finally, but not the least negotiations between the Centre and the Kashmiris should resume at once so that ‘Heaven on Earth’ can regain its lost glory at the earliest. Initially, the tasks at hand will not be easy as it requires a lot of clam and compose to achieve the breakthrough. Hoping for an overnight solution will become suicidal. Moreover, both the sides should keep in mind that solution can only come through negotiations, not through violent confrontation. Considering the history of Kashmir, enough maturity is needed to handle the situation. Before proceeding further let us examine the genesis of the Kashmir problem. On August 15, 1947, when India got Independence, Kashmir joined neither India nor newly created Pakistan. It preferred to maintain its separate independent identity. But Pakistan wanted to annex Kashmir and send its forces. As Kashmir was under siege, the then king of Kashmir Maharaja Hari Singh sought India’s help. But Jawaharlal Nehru refused to help Kashmir on the pretext that India should not get involved in a battle of two foreign nations. After Nehru’s refusal to help Kashmir, Hari Singh decided to merge with India and the ‘instrument of accession’ was signed and Indian forces defeated the Pakistani. This is the way Kashmir became a part of India. But there was a twist. While signing the ‘instrument of accession’ the then Governor-General of India, Lord Mountbatten wrote that Kashmir’s fate would be decided through ‘plebiscite’ after the war is over. Taking a clue from that very word, United Nations (UN) also suggested it to resolve the crisis. It was then decided that both the countries would remove their forces for smooth and neutral conduct of plebiscite. While India was willing to adhere to this condition, Pakistan was not. As a result, since the fifties Kashmir has remained an unresolved dispute. So, Pakistan will have to answer many questions before getting international support on Kashmir issue. Failing to capture Kashmir by force, it has kept the valley disturbed by promoting terrorism. It can be said without any hesitation that our neighbour will not get many friends at the international forums apart from China. The situation has provided a great opportunity for India to make Kashmir free from terror. But the main challenge for India is to win the hearts of the Kashmiris, who are fed up with mindless killings and violence. It should be the endeavour of India to maintain peace in Kashmir and allow the Kashmiri people to ponder over their future in a calm atmosphere where there will be no more bloodshed.