The Kashmir Conflict

Kashmir is a long standing area of dispute between India and Pakistan. This has been the case since the end of British rule in India, in 1947.

Kashmir had been a state within the region, and although having a predominately Muslim population, was ruled at the time by the Maharaja Hari Singh, who was a Hindu ruler.

However, with the end of British rule, Kashmir and the Maharaja was faced with an important decision. It could either choose to be an independent state, or annexe with India or Pakistan.

Pakistan expected Kashmir to become part of their territory, due to Pakistan being the new Muslim country and Kashmir being predominantly Muslim. However at first, the Maharaja made the decision to remain neutral. This impartiality did not last long. In October 1947, Kashmir was at a large threat from revolutionaries and Pakistani tribesmen sent to infiltrate the capital of Srinagar.

Signing of Instrument of Accession, 1947

With Kashmir vulnerable, the Maharaja turned to India for military assistance. Fleeing to India, the Maharaja signed the Instrument of Accession on 26 October 1947, relinquishing Kashmir territory to India.

This conflict of territory would lead to the Indo-Pakistan War of 1947, 1965 and 1971. The Kargil War also occurred in 1999, which led to the intervention of the US to pressure Pakistan to retreat. Through this time it has led to the current situation, with India occupying two-thirds of the territory, Pakistan having northern areas and China occupying eastern regions after making claims in the 1950s. 

The significance for today:

Areas of Occupation in Kashmir

Conflict continues to persist in Kashmir today, and is often seen as the forgotten conflict to the Western world. 

It has affected the current global situation enormously. Osama bin Laden stated in his 2002 letter to the US that one of the reasons he was fighting America was due to its decision to support India in the Kashmir issue. The situation in Kashmir is also becoming more drastic due to the nuclear threat that persists, with both Pakistan and India gaining nuclear powers. As well as this, Amnesty International have brought to light the huge violation of human rights in Kashmir today. There are countless cases of human rights violation from India, including detentions, curfews, rape and torture, which India denies. Over the years, too many to count have died due to this conflict, which continues to persist today. Only today, have 16 people been killed due to violent clashes, in the village of Mahashay Kothe.  (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-29532066)

Even though this is one of the many conflicts that exists in our global society, it is a conflict that has seen horrors for nearly 70 years. This disputed territory, that began with the Maharaja Hari Singh has led to numerous wars and devastated the lives of Kashmiri people. With 43% of Kashmiri people seeking complete independence and 50% of Azad Kashmiri's wishing to join Pakistan, the end of this conflict, unfortunately, sees no end in sight. 

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