“Borders and lines” from the time they have been drawn, always created unsatisfied souls. Unsatisfied because there is innate desire of every human to expand, their horizons and most importantly the limits others have posed on them.
The issues that are to be thoughtfully reasoned at this point of time may be the basic intentions of religion, regionalism and patriotism, the three basic seeds on which the world in the form today could trace its roots. This reasoning is important as it will decide the fate of our basic moral values and intensions, as we see them. To see its importance, we can consider the case of a suicide bomber whose basic moral values are very different from the normal person working to earn his bread and who can never think about killing a person as his moral principles would not allow him to.
When we talk about Jammu & Kashmir as a focal point all these three come into play along with the basic desires of every human being. It is a region that is divided between India, Pakistan and China, all wanting a chunk extra. It has been more than sixty years that this fight has been going on but no solutions. It’s difficult to find one when there is less importance given to the people living there and more to the history and unending desires of the few.
The region of Jammu and Kashmir can be further divided into Jammu, Kashmir (the valley), Ladakh, Askai chin and the areas of Balistan & Gilgit. Each one of them has a different history and different reasons of being as a region. Ladakh finds its roots in the Tibetan culture with an added touch of the Indian culture. The area of Ladakh desires its own autonomous government while staying with India.
Same is the case with Jammu is part of Indian J&K has been culturally related to India. Their choice of remaining with India in case of a plebiscite is almost certain. So considering the two areas of Ladakh and Jammu the Indian association and support is certain.
The areas of Balistan & Gilgit have a different history all together. They have been linked to Tibetan culture from the time it had spread in Ladakh. The attacks of Mongols at that time have resulted in many changes in their culture and religious acceptance. After the 1947 partition these areas have come under Pakistan and have been under them for more than 50 years. In spite of the majority Muslim population these areas still wants to be connected with Ladakh and their culture which still has much resemblance to Tibetan culture than with others. There have been many uprising going on inside these areas to join with Ladakh.
Askai Chin is a china occupied region which has the same roots as Ladakh itself. China’s road to Tibet passes through Askai chin which is a major route for Chinese to go to Tibet. Chinese have taken the area of Askai Chin from India in the 1962 war. There is very little population living in this area because of the extreme climatic conditions.
The most controversial part of the whole is Kashmir valley, which is presently under India and Pakistan. Kashmir as a whole has a higher Muslim population and favors total freedom rather than staying with either India or Pakistan. The area has a different culture called as Kashmiriat and the locals have been crying out for independent nation from the time India and Pakistan have got freedom from British rule.
Now to analyze the situation the three basic principles that we have seen come into the picture along with the history and desires of the locals and the government of the region.
Siachen, which has been touted as the most strategic part of Ladakh has turned out to be the most wasteful battlefield on earth which has no practical importance for either India or Pakistan. The need to keep the Saltoro heights in our capture is the logic behind this war according to our military leaders and on the other side, political leaders on both sides have colored the issue with the patriotism but according to experts this reason has no strategic significance for both the countries (the nearest national highway to the hills is over a hundred kilometers away). As a result, it is difficult to understand the need to protect such a sparsely populated area with hundreds of lives and billions of hard earned tax-money.
Coming to Kashmir, at the best it can be said that both the countries should consider bringing in UN as a third party to solve the issue permanently i.e. to either create an autonomous state or let it be a part of any of the two countries.
In terms of religion, these should be divided into two parts, Kashmir, Balistan and Gilgit in favor of Pakistan and Ladakh region & Jammu in India. Almost the same status that we have as on now, except for the region of Kashmir valley. The problem with considering this point of view is the basic culture of the society can never be singled upon the religion hence the problem with this solution.
The other consideration of regionalism issue is centered on three different cultures: the Ladakhi-Tibetan culture in Balistan, Gilgit, Ladakh and Askai chin; the Kashmiriat culture in the Kashmir valley and the Jammu culture in Jammu. So, if autonomous status has to given to any part of J & K then it should be given keeping in mind the individuality of three regions. The feeling of patriotism is strangely colored in the colors of these individual regions. Hence, whatever comes out of plebiscite in specific regions should result in a stable solution.
Till the plebiscite is being done, J & K region remains a puppet to the whims and inflated egos of political leaders.
In any case…
“Borders and lines” have always divided...
-Varun Sharma & Adesh Oberoi
Authors of
Dead Beautiful Truth
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