Destiny of Kashmir – Pakistan or India?

1947 saw the first of many fights which the world witnessed between Pakistan and India, over Kashmir. Although more than 70% of the population of Kashmir is Muslims, the Raja of Jammu and Kashmir politically found it convenient to join hands with India on the time of partition. Muslim Kashmiris were too depressed on this act and rebelled. In a fit of desperation, Raja signed the accession treaty with India as Indian troops took over one part of Kashmir. Until this date, the other part of Kashmir belongs to Pakistan.

After the first war of 1947, the valley was divided into two parts. Pakistan had control over a thin strip of land encompassing Western Kashmir, Gilgit, and Baltistan. The rest of Kashmir came under the control of India. But the point was that the UN treaty had made it clear that the state was a disputed territory and neither of the countries could lay claims to it. This led to indecision and ill feelings between the two nations, a matter still unresolved 64 years later.

Is it not time all of us learn to make peace? That is all we could say. Democracy and the sorting out a problem through political discussions can lead us to prosperity, while incidents like the 1948, 1965, and the 1971 wars will only hinder the progress of both countries.