Kashmir The Story

Kashmir, nestled in the Himalayas, an ancient centre for Shaivism, then Buddhism, and by the 14th century, Islam. A Muslim majority kingdom for five hundred years, in the early eighteen hundred, Kashmir comes under Dogra rule, and for 100 years it remains so, under the watchful eyes of the British. In 1947, Kashmir has to choose between joining Pakistan or India. Or, could she stay sovereign?

India and Pakistan become independent nations in 1947 but Kashmir, a Muslim majority region ruled by a Hindu king is reluctant to accede to India or Pakistan. An impatient Pakistan moves to annex her. Kashmir accedes to India in return for military help. An interim government in set-up, but due to Pakistan's proxy war and tacit British interference, Kashmir is irrevocably fractured.

Kashmir is fractured by Pakistan's proxy war. Nehru decides not to send the army to certain non-Kashmiri speaking regions of J&K. Article 370 is incorporated in the Indian Constitution. China occupies Sinkiang and Tibet and tries to annex Aksai Chin which leads to the Indo - China war of 1962. In 1965 Kashmir under president's rule and has transformed from autonomy to integration.

Kashmir becomes an issue that defines the India-Pakistan relationship. In 1971, skirmishes flare into war and India helps to liberate East Pakistan to form Bangladesh. When India wins the '71 war and captures Siachen in the 80s, Pakistan launches Operation Topac. A multi-phased insurgency that among others, drives out Kashmiri Pandits from their homeland

The exodus of the Kashmiri Pandits in the early 90s drives wedges between Kashmir's communities. Arvind Gigoo, a professor recalls the manner in which the pandits were ousted from their homeland to live in refugee camps. Pakistan uses the resulting instability to further accelerate insurgency. And in 1999, Pakistan attacks Kargil which erupts into the Kargil war. Could she hope for normalcy?

All though Kashmir has seen brief periods of peace, seven decades of cross-border militancy, constant military presence, wars, the resulting home-grown rebellion, and political unrest have all affected the pace of development in Kashmir. Can the current generation of Kashmiris hope for a better tomorrow? BJP-PDP alliance has fallen apart. Is there a solution, will there ever be peace in the valley