Tag Archives: Kashmir

Press freedom has deteriorated over the past five years in India for a variety of reasons, the most important being the rule of right-wing Hindutva nationalists who try to redefine India and Indians.

Modi’s plans aside, his colonial action will backfire and serve as a blessing for the Kashmiris. India’s misadventure has in fact paved the way for Pakistan to internationalize the issue. It is now established that India is an illegal occupier and it ultimately will have to leave the entire Kashmir. 

The Modi government, in ushering a new era of “one nation (read Hindu), one India,” has completely misunderstood the original intent of the special provisions for Jammu and Kashmir. The space for minorities, particularly Muslims and the tribal population in northeast India, has shrunk. Outside Jammu and Kashmir, Article 371, which gives constitutional and legal status and powers to those tribal communities in acknowledgment of their distinct culture and practices, also appears to be in jeopardy.

The silver lining, by its action India has brought Kashmir “front and center” into international focus.

Imtiaz Gul, Editor in Chief, Matrix Mag, on the implications of the Indian abolition of Special Status of Kashmir and says the credibility of the permanent members of the UN Security Council is at stake if they do not take a common position against violation of UN resolutions on Kashmir.

The 46th session of Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Conference held in Abu Dhabi recently was unique in many ways: it was held at a time when India and Pakistan were on the verge of war over Kashmir; Indian foreign minister Sushma Swaraj, for the first time, was invited to address an OIC conference; Pakistan’s Foreign …

The current calm in tensions between both the neighbors at this point in time provides an opportunity for soul searching for both India and Pakistan. India must ask the question why Kashmiris feel so deeply alienated and are ready to die. Pakistan must ask the question whether the militants allegedly operating from its soil have become an albatross around its neck. Pakistan also needs to ask how these militants and proscribed groups are undermining the Kashmiris’ just cause.

India cannot keep the people of Kashmir under its rule through brutal suppression and human rights violations. The only solution is implementation of UN resolution calling for plebiscite in the disputed region.

India is being advised to be careful in its response to the Kashmir attack. One Pakistani analyst calls on cooler heads on both sides to defuse the situation while The Hindu, one of India's respected dailies, calls on Pakistan to act against Jaish-e-Mohammad, the group that has taken responsibility for the deadly attack.

A new “thought” in Islamabad is gaining momentum. This thought from within the military circles certainly reflects a new pragmatism. The thought asks: Why not develop a new strategy that is economic, and not “praetorian”, in its focus?