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SRINAGAR: There is a mixed response from Jammu and Kashmir on February 5. Some say that Kashmir Day is of “great significance” whereas others believe that the observance has been reduced to mere ritual and that Pakistan’s official stance over Kashmir appears to be “wavering”.
Also read: Kashmiris fighting a new battle
Is pro-Pakistan sentiment in still Kashmir alive and kicking?
In the past, Kashmiris in their wills have requested their children and grandchildren to hoist the Pakistani flag on their graves once the region merges with Pakistan, but is the pro-Pakistan sentiment so deep in today’s Kashmir?
Some observers say that in a suppressed environment like the one that prevails in Kashmir, wherein democratic spaces for expression and dissent stand choked, it is a difficult question to answer.
Ajazul Haque, one of Kashmir’s leading columnists, is of the view that “February 5 symbolises Pakistan’s deep-rooted relationship with Kashmir. Every year, this day revives the cultural, religious and the geographical proximity the valley enjoys with Pakistan.”
“The pro-Pakistan sentiment in Kashmir is neither dead nor diminished, it's suppressed and the reasons are rooted in the conditions we are going through since the 1990."
"Moreover, the worsening situation in Pakistan is creating a bad feeling among Kashmiris and that is perhaps one of the reasons people don't display their pro-Pakistan emotions as openly and plainly as they used to,” Haque says in a response via e-mail.
However, many in Kashmir continue to express their love for Pakistan overtly through various symbolic gestures like cheering for the Pakistani cricket team, waving or hoisting the Pakistan’s national flag, setting Pakistan’s national anthem as the ring tone on their mobile phones, and attending funerals of militants of Pakistani descent in colossal numbers.
Khurram Parvez, programme coordinator at Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society, insists that one must make a distinction between the Pakistani state and its people.
“February 5 is a day when the people of Pakistan and Kashmiri diaspora organise various programmes in schools, colleges, universities and even mosques to make Kashmir visible internationally. On this day, the Pakistani missions also spread awareness about Kashmir. It is an opportunity for people to engage with Kashmir,” Parvez says.
He feels that Pakistan's policy vis-à-vis Kashmir has been “problematic” and says there is no dearth of people in Kashmir feeling frustrated over what he calls Islamabad's “inconsistent Kashmir policy”.
Bashir Manzar, Editor-in-chief of Srinagar based English daily Kashmir Images, feels Kashmir Solidarity Day is “ritualistic” and meant only to address Pakistan’s domestic constituency.
“Honestly speaking, I don’t attach much importance to this ritualistic day. It may be good for the successive Pakistani governments domestically, but Pakistan’s state policy on Kashmir has been as inconsistent as India’s,” Manzar says.
He says Pakistani officials say one thing on one occasion and something else on another. “There are times when they [Pakistani officials] swear by the UN resolutions on Kashmir and then say that these very resolutions have become obsolete. Afterwards, they talk about the four-point formula,” he says.
Anuradha Bhasin, Executive Editor of Jammu based Kashmir Times, in tune with Manzar’s views says that Pakistan’s stand on Kashmir is necessitated by the country’s internal political demands.
“Pakistan maintains that it lends moral, diplomatic and political support to the struggle of Kashmiris. However, of late, the people in Kashmir have become suspicious of Pakistan’s state policy. Also, Kashmir Day has been reduced to mere symbolism,” Bhasin says.
“At one point in time there was much enthusiasm in the Kashmir valley regarding Pakistan. I am curious to know how things pan out when the sentiment and politics appear to be changing in today’s Kashmir,” she says.
The state government in Jammu and Kashmir seldom allows the resistance leadership to hold public rallies but whenever that happens, pro-Pakistan slogans like ‘jeeve jeeve Pakistan’ (long live Pakistan) can also be heard alongside the dominant slogan ‘Hum Kya Chahate, Azaadi’ (we want freedom).
“Even in our suppressed environment, many youths in Kashmir openly showcase their love for Pakistan at the cost of paying heavily for their expression," Parvez says.
"This expression of love for Pakistan does not necessarily indicate that they are in favour of Kashmir’s merger with Pakistan,” he says, adding that for many Kashmiris, a visit to Pakistan is no less than an “emotional pilgrimage”.
So why do Kashmiris exhibit their love for Pakistan despite knowing its serious ramifications?
“Well, it is perhaps the deep anger against the Indian state and deep-rooted alienation with India’s treatment of Kashmir,” opines Ms Bhasin.
According to Dr Showkat Hussain, the pro-Pakistan sentiment has always been there in Kashmir, as the “sentiment for secession” remains the dominant one.
But there are some voices who see things a little differently.
Zafar Choudhary, commentator and political analyst based in Jammu, says that over the last many years “jihadi elements like ‘Lashkar-i-Taiba’ [LT] have hijacked the Kashmir Solidarity Day” in Pakistan.
“Earlier, the people and the political leadership of Pakistan were involved in observing this day as a mark of support to the struggle of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Now with changes in Pakistan's political dynamic with regards to Kashmir, you only get to see some advertisements in newspapers and a national holiday observed on this day,” Choudhary says.
“Worse, the day [Kashmir Solidarity Day] has been hijacked by the extremist community, which is a difficult proposition for all,” he adds.
Shabnum, a lecturer by profession, says that pro-Pakistan sentiment among the new generation is on the decline and some of them have even started cheering for the Indian cricket team. She says several among the young generation also seem to see their economic future with India without surrendering their aspiration for Kashmir’s independence.
“I can tell you from my experience of working with young students. They think a little differently. They have a strong sentiment for ‘Azaadi’ but they do not support Pakistan or Kashmir’s merger with Pakistan, given the nature and magnitude of violence that is being perpetrated in that country on a daily basis,” she argues.
However, Mr Manzar begs to disagree. According to him, the pro-Pakistan constituency in Kashmir has become stronger than before.
“Nowadays, the youths in Kashmir think globally. Some are attracted to global Islamisation as well. I can tell you with a sense of responsibility that the pro-Pakistan constituency in Kashmir has strengthened.”
In the absence of any empirical study, it is very difficult to assess whether the pro-Pakistan sentiment has weakened or enhanced, or whether it is dead or diminished in this region and there are voices in support of arguments either way.
History of Kashmir Day
According to Srinagar-based international law expert Dr Sheikh Showkat Hussain, Kashmir Day has been observed historically right from 1932, after being first proposed by the then Kashmir Committee.
“In the 1930s, the day was observed to express camaraderie with the Kashmiris’ struggle against the autocratic Dogra ruler Maharaja Hari Singh. In present day context, Kashmir Day is being celebrated to show solidarity with the struggle of Kashmiris against India,” Sheikh Showkat says.
“Basically, it [Kashmir Day] started from undivided Punjab and it has been celebrated ever since, with pauses in between. This day will continue to hold importance until the Kashmiris achieve their objective of right to self-determination,” he says.
The day was revived in the 1970s when in 1975 Kashmir’s then tallest political figure Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah agreed to become Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir after an accord was signed on behalf of Sheikh Abdullah by Mirza Mohammad Afzal Beg and on behalf of the Indian government, headed by Indira Gandhi, by G Parthasarathy in New Delhi.
Following the infamous Sheikh-Indira accord of Feb 1975, Kashmiris had then observed a complete strike on the call of Pakistan’s then Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to protest against the agreement.
Historically, such has been Pakistan’s influence on Kashmir’s political landscape.
In 1990, Pakistan's late Jamaat-i-Islami leader Qazi Hussain Ahmed had proposed that February 5 be observed as Kashmir Solidarity Day in Pakistan.
Gowhar Geelani is a journalist, who has served as Editor at Deutsche Welle (Voice of Germany) in Bonn, Germany.
Comments (108) Closed
...and the answer is indeed Kashmir is and will always be with Pakistan...
We know that kashmiri sentiments are 100% with pakistan. That is why, pakistan confidently push for UN plebiscite as a decider, while India evades it at all costs. UN waits, till India sees sense. India is delaying the inevitable merger of IOK with pakistan and India is perpetuating the suffering of the kashmiri people. Indian people should, drop the jingoistic rhetoric and push their govt to honour the UN plebiscite and allow peace to prevail.
Pakistan stands with Kashmir.
Pakistan zindabad.
Kashmir is and will always be number one priority of Pakistan's foreign policy. Kashmir is very emotional for Pakistanis too. We share close geography, history, language, culture, religion and blood:family ties.
Indi took Junagarh State by force even when it's leader signed instrument of accession to Pakistan because of Hindu majority. Pakistan can never forget Kashmir. This is also a religious issue.
All of pakistan must understand, muslims in india stand for pakistan, they want kashmir to be merged to pakistan.
The question is not about whom they will affiliate with. Its about their own Freedom.
With a great love , peace and emotional attachment to Kashmiris , I want to state that Pakistani people are always with you despite of our government's inconsistent policy on Kashmir issue. Please ,never doubt at our nation's sincerity. We are very ashamed that we could not resolve your issue in last 69 years but every Pakistani is praying for you. Every time , I read about Kashmiris' struggle , sacrifices and pains I feel very hurt. We are always with you whether you choose to get freedom by merging with Pakistan or by founding a separate independent state. Even If all Kashmiris with their mutual consent ,decide that their better , prosperous and peaceful future is possible by merging with India then we will respect your desire . Kashmiris have been suffering a lot
Suppose India agrees to cede Kashmir, if J& K mandates , would J&K like to go with Pakistan? What is boundary area of J& K? Would it include area with Pakistan, area ceded to China and Indian Leh, Jammu and Kashmir? Should any house in India and every man who so ever may so choose, demanding freedom be made a separate country, because his or his family views may be different from the country as a whole.... Should countries be made on the basis of religions or faith one follows
I as a Pakistani will always support Kashmiris' right to self determination
As Pakistanis we should focus on improving the situation in Pakistan and life of Pakistanis. We have enough of our own problems to solve. We are facing an existential threat from extremists. Imagine what we will do with addition of another 12 million population with generally poor education, low skills, poor work ethics and poverty ? It's time that we understand that a lot of water has gone down the jhelum, chenab and sutlej; and its time to really focus on nation building before it is too late.
@Ahmed USA Kashmir will never be with Pakistan.
@Zak do u know what are terms and conditions for pelbsite
Why writer forget one thing that is to gave the view Of real kashmiri called kashmiri pundit
@Surya Kant let kashmiris themselves answer that, hold plebiscite under UN, let not India or Pakistan tell them what to do, or think. All your questions will be answered, once kashmiris decide their own fate. Occupations under all circumstances are wrong and never succeed, but cause a lot of pain and suffering to everybody.
@rakesh123 I see you are still stuck on the terms and conditions. If you are sincere, you will want to see kashmiris vote their own future. If you are insincere, you will look for clauses, terms etc to somehow avoid and evade the kashmiris deciding their own fate. First install sincereity ,then wish everybody best in plebiscite.
According to \un \resolutions Kashmir has to decide whether to join India or Pakistan Independence is not an option Period
@sanjay bhattacharyya and who are you to decide, you are not even from the nation of Kashmir. Foreigners cannot dictate to kashmiris anymore.
@sanjay bhattacharyya ... Dream on!
@rakesh123 ...Please read the historical facts about Junagadh, Bantva Manavadar, Hyderabad and Kashmir states... and take into account Pakistan's position on these issues which is in sync with international and local population's perspective... It is not about faith... Matter of fact is as per pre-independence agreement princely states were to accede to either Pakistan or India on the basis of democratic will of the people... Junagadh, Bantva Manavadar, Hyderabad and Kashmir states saw Indian military invasion before any sort of free and fair plebiscite could have happened which is against international rights/norms guaranteed in UN charter thereby denying them the right to choose... Junagadh and Bantva Manavadar plebiscite was held after Indian forces invaded the states and cannot be termed as free and fair…
@Surya Kant ... Good question... Countries/Nations should be made solely dependent on the free will of the people... Will could be on the basis of any reason and it is for the people to decide... In case of Junagadh, Bantva Manavadar, Hyderabad and Kashmir state’s case people were denied their right to choose in a free and fair atmosphere...
Being an Indian Kashmiri, I can proudly say that opinion of Kashmiri youth about Pakistan has totally changed in recent years. Except few political and religious organisations, nobody has any problem with living in India. Majority of us do not want to merge with Pakistan after looking at the sorry state of PaK, and disturbance in rest of Pakistan.
Good luck
We are ‘celebrating’ Kashmir Day, while shutting down all economic activities, despite already having fragile & oblivious economy…shutting down all businesses on this particular day means hefty financial loss…damaging our own economy rather benefiting Kashmiris…what a ‘Nation’ we are….????????
Kashmiris in India have as much azadi as Biharis and Tamilians and anybody else. They have the same rights and liberties and freedoms.
@Zak sorry sir but its not about two parties India and Kashmiri population, Pakistan is also a party so we need to get into the nitty gritty of the clauses keeping in mind the past relations of both the countries.
No matter how long and how hard the Indians try with soft or hard power, they will never be able to completely change Kashmiri people's mindset to be with India. Kashmir belongs to Pakistan in heart and soul.
@Ahmed USA Polls after polls have been conducted in Kashmir and people supporting Pakistan are less than 2% and limited to Kashmir valley.
@LS ... Polls have no legitimacy my friend... Only free and fair plebiscite is the answer and the demand of people of Indian occupied Kashmir... If Modi is so confident of winning then why shy away from UN demand...
I am from Secular India ,I want to say to our Kashmiri friends and our Pakistani friends. the Kashmir Plebiscite will not decide the future of Kashmir, it will also decide the future of south Asia. Please don't force any the reason for migration as in 1947. please Put your all grievances to respective government. If possible the fresh generation come who has not all bad memories, let them do plebiscite,
I as an india support Kashmir, all of them shia, sunni, bhudist, sikhs, hindus
pakistn have all right to celebrate kashmir day
and india has all right to be in Jammu and Kashmir to protect all religions there
Kashmir requires the attention of the world
@Mudassar sensible.,..,. Very sensible.
@Rohit Please find out what azadi or as in your language mukhti means. One cannot be free if they are forced to be a part of India. We are not Indians my friend please understand that Tamilans and Biharis maybe similar but we are different from you racially and culturally.
@coverpage How did you know that. Do you represent them? They know where their future lies.
@Ahmed USA When but?
@LS Then should be the one demanding a plebicite in Kashmier as you are confident that you will win.
Well I do not see any solution, Indian will not let go Kashmir and so do Pakistan. Now, what is the solution? With all the problems, India is marching towards a progress state however same is not true with Pakistan. Moreover , it seems to be a kind of road block for Pakistan in her development. We have to wait and watch and progress in a fashion when this national boundaries are meaningless , they way it’s happening in west ( European union ) &UK ( e.g. Ireland and Scotland) . have prescience and look for development , time will deiced the fate of Nation and their ppl
@Ahmed USA There is NO demand from UN. Further more, there is no demand for plebiscite except from Pakistan.
Why nobody in Pakistan bothered to take the matter to UN?
We just draining our resources in the name of Kashmir and get a bad name world over, let us stop dreaming with our eyes open and spend the resources for education and people's welfare so we can at least stop children from dying.
@Rohit Biharis and Tamilians don't have 500,000 troops Occupying their homeland. Their women have not been raped by the Army. Their men have not been "disappeared". There are no half-widows in Bihar. Don't even think about saying that Kashmiris in Occupied Kashmir have the same azaadi as people in India proper. That is an absurd statement.
@Zak It is not about sincerity. We will NOT, NEVER.
@Aspects.hani.......in the IT company where I work, there are colleagues who are kashmiri Muslims and educated from IITs or regional engg colleges, well they have same views as yours. One of them says that even if Kashmir becomes independent they want it to develop on Indian pattern
@Ahmed USA You will have to go back to 1947 situation for plebiscite. Can you? Everything has changed. The people, the environment, the atmosphere, even the will.
Reading the Pakistanis' comments here, I had a feeling that they are still under the impression that Indian Muslims and Kashmiris are not happy with India. As a Proud South India Muslim from Andhra, I can confidently tell you that we are very much part and parcel of India. Religion shouldn't be the basis of someone's Nationality.
@Kabir Kashmiries have served in Central Ministries of India. They have served in Indian arm forces. First prime minister of India was Kashmiri. They have privilege of working and owning properties any where in India. And they do. rest of India can not own properties in J&K, same as some other states.
@Abdul Ghani Well Said!!!!
You may not like my views but this is the truth. Our country is in ruins. Facing extemism, poverty and zero future for our kids. Why the hell are we not thinking about rising high and instead keep on talking about Kashmir etc. Maybe India wants us to be like this so we never prosper. Get my point?
@naeem UN resolution requires Pakistan to vacate the area under its control. Pakistan has never agreed to it.
@coverpage : You are correct.
@Mudassar : Very well said.
@Abdul ghani.......in the IT company where I work, there are colleagues who are kashmiri Muslims and educated from IITs or regional engg colleges, well they have same views as yours. One of them says that even if Kashmir becomes independent they want it to develop on Indian pattern.
Pakistan can clear the confusion by holding an internationally plebiscite initially in Azad Jammu & Kashmir and later in the northern areas. The plebiscite should be on three options. Going independent, joining Pakistan as a provenance or Joining India. There is no doubt that the AJK Kashmiris will vote for joining Pakistan. This will revive the UN resolutions, give AJK Kashmiri voice international recognition and put the ball in India's court. AJK union to Pakistan in this manner will be legitimate and India will lose the narrative that the real Kashmir issue is the Pakistani Occupied Kashmir.
@Abdul Ghani "Being an Indian Kashmiri, I can proudly say that opinion of Kashmiri youth about Pakistan has totally changed in recent years. "
Being a Kashmiri refugee from Khanyar Srinagar, I can proudly say that majority of Kashmiris are still either pro Pakistan or pro Independence. I cannot even imagine supporting the Indian occupiers. Their army has committed crimes against humanity in the valley.
@Himanshu then implement under UN auspices and if india is sincere, implementation should be no problem.
@kkk if these are true kashmir, why they are supporting the occupation by foreign indian army against their own kashmiri brethern. When they end up supporting enemy of kashmiri, means they are not kashmiri anymore.
@Mudassar we in India have same problems of poverty and lack of education. I believe, if kashmir is resolved , by respecting kashmiri wishes, we will end up befriending each other. Peace is way forward, not conflict and keeping people who don't want to stay with us.
India and Pakistan should both free Kashmir and get on with their business as friendly countries on pattern of US-Canada relationship in terms of trade, cultural exchanges and visa free tourism between them. Enough is enough, it is foolish to hold 1.5 billion people of India and Pakistan hostage to Kashmir.
@lafanga That's called extremism & intolerance.
@Abdul Ghani ,Thank you very much for your comment, brother.
I think it is time we stop sacrificing all our relations with neighbors for Kashmir issues. lets get our house in order before meddling in other's affairs. Kashmiris will have to handle their own situation by whatever means.
India will have to reciprocate by stopping the daily humiliation and subjugation of Kashmir under it's control. Why cant he two kashmirs be one and independant from India and Pakistan. Is it too sensible to say this?
@LS factually incorrect. The inconvenient truth for Indians is that they know if Kashmiris actually were given chance to decide they'd certainly demand independence from Indian occupation. This is fact.
@Ghaznavi well said brother
India with their wealth and economic success can afford to keep playing the K-card, without budging an inch. Also the international community supports them. But we cannot do that. We are wasting resources falling in their trap. The sooner we realize this the better. Lets just develop all areas what we have first, then think of adding more territory.
Kashmir is an integral part of Pakistan. United we stand.
Im from azad kashmir, pakistan. Mangla hamlet near mangla dam (if you want to kno). My family was one of the first in mangla hamlet when it was a mere jungle(believe me it was) prople were scared to even pass by.now its a developing city which much larger populations.how ppl gnna say ajk is sufferomg when ever pak kashmiri are thriving.any one u ever been here or just watch india propaganda on utube.if a pakistani with beard can be bribed for terror attacks u tellin me aam civilians cnt be bribed for fake azadi vid.pls ive been everwhere is kash.its more pro pakistan than rest of pakistan!!!!
@Rohit They have more Rights than others, for e.g., non-kashmiris can not buy anything in kashmir and India granted that. Standard of living in India's Kashmir is much higher than non-kashmiri indians. As per kashmiris themselves, there is not a single homeless person in kashmir with most people living in multi-storied bungalows which can be verified by a visit.
@Reality Bites Please visit Kashmir(India) with full-strength press and media delegation as do others from the whole world including US&EU, as India never stops anybody from visiting kashmir and reporting as they see it.
@sanjay bhattacharyya / I agree what you say and I also say Kashmiri people should decide their fate and MUST NOT India or Pakistan interfer. India is an occupying force
@Naxalite :Learn the political and territorial dynamics first!
Kashmiris in IOK celebrate Pakistani independent day, Pakistani Republic day,pakistani Cricket team victories over India, speak urdu,follow islam, share culture and land with Pakistan etc.
Cooperation not Confrontation.....nothing has ever been achieved through confrontation....specially when the other party is ten times bigger and wealthier in all aspects.
@sanjay bhattacharyya haf of it already is. The other half depends on you. Im a Kashmiri in UK. We will never ever join Hindu India. PAKISTAN. THE "K" STANDS FOR KASHMIR
@LS then logically they will support india even less than 2%. Im Kashmiri.my whole family is from there. We have deep roots and we will never ever merge with India. India that keeps 700000 troops in Kashmir and is trying to convince the world that Kashmiri loves them
Eventually there is only one option. Referendum. As Mr Nehru promised us. India can keep going round in circles but no matter what happens the people will have the final say this time. Its pretty obvious that Kashmir is Pakistanas proven by the religious cultural historical geographical political and linguistic ties between Pakistan and Kashmir. Its a majority Muslim state it makes sense to be with Pakistan. 600 million people in India dont have toilets and 700000 Indian troops occupy Kashmir by force. So India cannot sell te Indian dream to Kashmiris. Just like Israel is finding out now that you cant sustain a brutal occupation for long. India will find out soon aswell. Whatever happens we Kashmiri will decide this time. Not outsiders.
@Sonny Afridi Don't be over confident. You can't read people's mind especially where voting is concerned.
@Abdul Ghani: Awesome dude.
@Jatt Culturally every state in India is different. Biharis are different from Tamilians, who are different from Kannadigas, who are different from Bengalis, who are different from Malayalees. But that is India - unity in diversity.
@Ahmed USA " If Modi is so confident of winning then why shy away from UN demand..."
There is no demand from the UN. The resolutions from the 1940s are dead legally. Simla Agreement rules.
@Zak All decisions are not made on emotions else no court of law is required. Rules regulations are part of a democratic system. It has to be followed even if a entire population gets hurt.
All the Pro & Con comments, statements, declarations notwithstanding; the reality is Kashmir problem can only be solved by dialog between India and Pakistan and Kashmiris, unfortunately, will not have much to say about it or the right to veto. Both nations would have to give and compromise. No one is getting the whole Kashmir - PERIOD. I say this only for one reason. Because it is the hard truth; the reality. The secret agreement between General Musharraf and Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh is the road map for such a compromise. I hope both countries take it and move on to develop their nation.
@Arvind Ajimal This has no meaning . Indias biggest strength is its progressing and growing minorities ,
@Jatt Yes Kashmiris maybe a little different from parts of India, but they are also different from parts of Pakistan. And if they are also similar to parts of India such as Himachal and to a smaller extent Punjab..
@anony ...In that case why are you still unhappy
@Ahmed USA As per Independence Act rulers will decide the merger not will of the people.
@Zak Do you understand the language and context, do you know what are the basic condition laid out by the UN to conduct plebiscite
@Jatt you mean to say tamilians are indians and kashmiris are not indians , I think you have to know the history of india then, It is other way, Tamil do not have anything indian compared to kashmiris have with indian religion and culture,
What about China held Kashmir?
incidentally all best comments are in favor of India, LOL
@Ahmed USA - you got it totally wrong, there was also choice to become independent nation too which were not part of British India,, 2 princely state kalat, and Mysore were part of subsidiary alliance of British queen not part of British India,, and there was no need for them to choose either india or pakiatan,, they are subsidiary of British queen not British India. So your saying princely state had to join either india or pakistan applied to not all kingdoms,, Kalat and mysore enjoyed special privilege. Mysore joined india willingly instead of become separate country while Kalat did become seperate country which pakistan occupied- I am from Mysore- south india- current karnatka state
We Indians are now so westernised that we really want Kashmir to break away from India. Kashmir is like a iron chain choking India. How long are we Indians going to keep pumping in billions to support a few goat herders living in the past.
Kashmir people will never want J & K to be annexed to Pakistan after what Pakistan did, ceded a part to China for its personal benefit. India will never do that. We lost Aksai Chin due to war and not submission. India also won in 1967 against China and successfully integrated Sikkim to the Indian Union.
@Abdul Ghani I would request you to kindly comment with your real name. Secondly, if you are so proud of India, why are so afraid of the plebiscite, it would kill the issue once and for all. Food for thought.
Those from, who often quotes human right violations in J&K, to kindly note :
1) Indian Army is not using helicopter gunships and air crafts against rebellion in Kashmir as the Pak Army does in FATA and KPK 2) There is total freedom of Press in J&K, whereas journalists do not have access to FATA and KPK. There is no independently verified reports coming out of FATA and KPK. The world has to rely on the Pak military censored and distorted versions.
Please come to your senses. Stop dreaming about Kashmir.
@ZAK , You wrote @Surya Kant let kashmiris themselves answer that, hold plebiscite under UN, let not India or Pakistan tell them what to do, or think. All your questions will be answered, once kashmiris decide their own fate. You make lot of sense my friend. God bless you!
@Ahmed USA If elections are rigged as per you, how difficult is it for us to rig the plebescite?
How come nobody has suggested that India and RAW are deliberately raising the issue of Kashmir being part of Pakistan so that Pakistan can waste its resources on its Military rather than on the economic welfare of the common Pakistani through Education, health , and better infrastructure?
I think no more then 1% or 2% of Kashmiris want to break from India.
Most of plebiscites in world are carried out by those countries which were almost sure to win.England allowed Scotland a plebiscite as they were almost sure to win. In case of uncertainty they might have thought otherwise. India and Pak are not like East Timor or Indonesia. They are ready to eat grass for their egos. A destructive war can bring solution but how many of us look forward to it.
If India is so confident to have won the hearts of kashmiris after "facilitating" them for last six decades, why to evade UN Plebiscite??
@Cavalier, Plebiscite is dead dear. Get a life and move on.
@Ajay My friend thats only your stance. So you better have a life and let others move on.
The simple answer is if Kashmiri's want to be a part of Pakistan then fight for it and I really mean fight for it protest , sit in , civil disobedience etc etc .now since that hasn't happened for the last so many years there has not been enough pressure on India .and so if that is the case then maintain the status quo with regards to cessation because Pakistan is in quite the quagmire of its own !
Let all regions of India and Pakistan get a chance of plebiscite. After all people everywhere else too and not just Kashmir have right to self determination.
@Sachin agreed whole heartedly. Let all nations within pakistan and each nation within India ( all 27 ) vote again. My view Pakistan will quadruple in size and india will shrink to Gujarat.
@Well_Wisher ur true brother.
@Zak just your view.
@Abdul Ghani We have been supporting you and Kashmiri struggle for self-determination. We stood by with you in your times of difficulty. But now when we are faced with problems you don't want to be ours. Then sorry this is a kind of fair-weather friendship which is not accepted.