The Kashmir Crisis

THE KASHMIR CRISIS

April 7, 2003

In 1947, the British Indian Empire was divided into two countries: India and Pakistan. “The partition of British India into an independent India and Pakistan was a very complicated problem. The British had made no preparation for such things as the division of financial assets, of the Indian Army, the communications system or the water supply to irrigation projects” (Lamb 11). The land and military resources were unfairly divided, based on a ratio favorable to India. Kashmir, a province in the northeastern corner India, which is predominantly Muslim, yet is ruled by a Hindu government, has been the primary cause of tension between India and Pakistan. Both countries dispute over whom should be in command of this significant province. Pakistan should gain control of Kashmir because it received less land in the separation of British India, Kashmir is mostly Muslim resembling Pakistan and the resolution of the dispute would enable both countries to gain more economic stability.

When British India split up, Pakistan retained less land and military support on the basis of a “30:70 ratio” (Ganguly 19) land division. “ The partition of British India… was an extremely complicated process for which the British had absolutely mot preparation (Lamb 11).” Britain chose to allow “exactly seventy-seven days in which to draw up the divorce papers (Collins 175)” not contemplating the aggravated effects the rapid separation would bring. This hasty partition brought many ill feelings that continue to boil today. Some of the effects were “ the division of the Indian financial assets, of the Indian Army, … of Indian communications, of the water supply to Indian irrigation water projects… (Lamb 11).” Because of the unequal division of these important assets, the Pakistani people are seriously handicapped. The consequences of the drastic disjointing are still effecting many people and their ability to make a profitable living for themselves. Because of British India’s inequitable partition, Pakistan received a smaller amount of land and military support.

Pakistan’s agricultural and economic resources are much more restricted than India’s, due to the significant difference in land size. For example, “Pakistan resembles most Asian, African and Central and South American countries in being “under-developed.” Outstanding among her problems at birth was almost total lack of large-scale industries. The subcontinent was not devoid of these; but they nearly all happened to lie on the Indian side of the new frontiers. This was through sheer geological mischance. The main known mineral deposits…” such as coal “…were beneath the areas predominantly Hindu” (Stephans 225). This clearly indicates that the division hurt Pakistan’s ability to maintain a stable economy. Together with the expenses of supporting a large army, the economy of Pakistan suffers many shortages. Because Pakistan is much smaller than India, its agricultural and economic assets are more limited.

Kashmir should unite with Pakistan for the reason that the greater part of its inhabitants are Muslim. “Kashmir was one of a handful of Princely states in which the ruler did not practice the same religion as most of his people (Jones 56).” Because Kashmir is on the border of Pakistan and that the majority of its people are not Hindu, is one of the main reason that Kashmir should belong to Pakistan. It seems logical that peace would come to the region if the majority were to unite with Pakistanis of their own faith. “Originally, Kashmir was up to 70% Muslim” (Lamb 19). This percentage has lessened over the years due to the growing number of Hindus in Kashmir, but the Muslim majority still is larger in Kashmir. The same way the British Indian Empire was split still rings true: based on demographics, Pakistan should secure control over Kashmir. The Pakistanis are the same faith as the people in Kashmir.

Muslim control over Kashmir would bring contentment to the Muslims. “If Hindus and Muslims were to learn to trust each other, and were willing to respect each other’s economic and defense needs- there would be less religious conflict between each faith in Kashmir (Lamb 43).” The Muslims in Pakistan would feel less threatened if they acquired control over Kashmir. If the Hindus agreed, this action would help to promote peace as well as a sense of unity that will hopefully be productive in later years. “ There are many factors behind the Kashmir problem, but there can be little doubt that the most significant has been Hindu-Muslim antipathy (Lamb 139).” Religious hostility is a dangerous problem in India, Pakistan and Kashmir. Sadly, many people have died as a result of mosque bombings. There would be a chance for peace and prosperity among the Muslims if they controlled Kashmir.

The end of the Kashmir conflict would bring many things, such as greater financial stability for both Pakistan and India. “Both India and Pakistan have expended considerable blood and treasure fighting each other since their independence (Ganguly 1).” Throughout the conflict, India and Pakistan have exhausted their financial, military and economic resources. Instead of putting the much-needed money into their country’s economic well being, both countries are putting the money towards guns, grenades and men. The end of the conflict would bring greater economic stability for both parties. There would be more money to spend on jobs, good, and other necessities. Because of the increase in money for food, fewer children would die of starvation. The end of the conflict would provide greater financial strength for India and Pakistan.

The end of the Kashmir conflict unfortunately is not yet in sight. “A quarter of a century later, Kashmir’s disputed possession would remain the principle subject of discord between India and Pakistan, the one seemingly insurmountable barrier to their reconciliation (Collins 358).” The history of Kashmir is one of conflict and strife, since the partition in 1947. The deep religious divisions, together with political differences, are the main reasons for the hostilities between the two warring countries. The partition gave much more land to India and Pakistan got land with more mountains and less natural resources. Here, the proper divisions of the land between the two religions were not followed, because while Kashmir is mainly Muslim, it was given to Hindu India. The end of this long-lasting conflict is undetermined and will most likely remain so for some time because of the deep-rooted feelings that both minorities have for one another.

Pakistan should gain control over Kashmir because they received less land and military support. The Kashmiri Muslims should be able to join their fellow believers in Pakistan, instead of being split up with a Hindu ruler. And joining Pakistan will enable both Muslim Pakistanis and Hindu Indians to create a better future for themselves and their children by putting the much-needed monies into the agricultural and industrial industries, as well as providing their families with food and clothing.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lamb, Alastair. The Kashmir Problem. New York, New York: Frederick A.

Praeger, Inc., 1966

Ganguly, Sumit. Conflict Unending. New Delhi, India: Oxford University

Press, 2001

Collins, Larry and Dominique Lapierre. Freedom At Midnight. New York,

New York: Simon and Shuster, 1975

Stephans, Ian. Pakistan. New York, New York: Frederick A. Praeger, Inc.,

1967

Jones, Owen B. Pakistan: Eye of the Storm.