The universe has really outdone itself when it comes to the landscape of Kashmir however, humanity has failed itself to keep it safe. The struggle to freedom and independence is a battle that every Kashmiri fights to date in the region that is administered by India. The heavenly valley has experienced a lot of things, but autonomy over their land has never been one.
Pakistan and India have fought two of their three wars on the issue which held a ceasefire by the establishment of the Line Of Control. The border skirmishes were a part of the routine and many times both the governments have tried to seek a ‘durable solution’ but alas!
Forcefully Occupying The Land
To make matters worse, India clawed on the autonomous rights of Kashmir by revoking Article 370 and Article 35A of Indian Constitution that led to a forceful shut down in August 2019. For a layman, it means that someone forcefully occupying land and claiming to have full possession of it which isn’t theirs in the first place.
They proved as a buttress for Kashmiris all these years. Where Article 370 gave them to make their own laws. Article 35A barred non-residents from purchasing a property in Kashmir. It also empowered Kashmiris since a privilege was given to permanent residents amidst all uncalled for civilian bloodshed.
Fighting over a disputed territory over political differences is one thing but stripping away the basic human rights is purely inhumane. One doesn’t even need to set forth the focus on religious or political aspects in order to see that.
Imagine being locked in a dark room with limited resources to feed yourself, no source of income and constant fear of life in danger. This is the current situation of Kashmir in addition to a complete blackout of communication. A halted life and goons identifying themselves as Indian soldiers. Prime Minister Imran Khan says, “India is using troops in Kashmir but they are losing the battle of hearts and minds. It is like treating cancer with dispirin”.
Freedom of Kashmir
Initially, while Pakistan had continuously extended a friendly hand in solving the issue on bilateral or even multilateral terms, the fascist Hindutva ideology shunned any notion of peace talks. While Pakistan chanted that war is not the solution, the Indian government made this issue as an ‘internal affair’. What a way to brainwash the masses of the actual history! Kashmir had its own Constituent Assembly and own set of laws.
They understood politics, democracy and rights. India was never in the equation for Kashmiris to have that sort of freedom. It never wanted Kashmir to have their long overdue freedom since she sees it as a threat to their democracy or else, why would it be so afraid of the plebiscite to choose their own fate now more than ever? The obvious answer that the chauvinistic mindsets cannot stomach yet. Quite not the Nehru’s India that the residing government touts about.
President Trump had visited India earlier this year and he has once again offered to be a mediator between India and Pakistan regarding this issue. This also ignites a hope not only for the Kashmiris but for Pakistan as well who wants this subject to take positive steps. It is high time that the right to self-determination is given back to the rightly deserved Kashmiris.
They must have full autonomy and demilitarization in that celestial city soaked in blood and barbarism. United Nations should take pragmatic measures to ensure peace in the region and the authority to decide whether Kashmiris want an independent state or a friendly merger should be left on them. Reiterating the stance, that war is never a solution, eliminating a fascist ideology is.
