New Thinking on Kashmir: United States of Kashmir

By Burhanuddin Hasan

In the wake of the earthquake disaster in Kashmir (both Azad and Occupied), people on either side have come closer in times of distress. The sacrosanct LoC may now be crossed over at five points for the first time in the history of the Kashmir conflict. This can be a monumental step forward if it is sagaciously exploited in an atmosphere of goodwill and mutual trust. On the sidelines of the Saarc Summit in Dhaka, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz put forward a proposal before the Indian prime minister to demilitarise the LoC which, he said, would reduce the "trust deficit" between India and Pakistan. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, however, expressed certain security-related reservations.

The president of All-Parties Hurriyat Conference, Mir Waiz Umar Farooq, has also emphasised that the conflict over the disputed territory of Kashmir can be resolved only if a pragmatic, realistic and tangible strategy for a durable solution is adopted. Addressing the Hindustan Times' Leadership Summit on 'New Thinking on Kashmir' in New Delhi, he exploded a bombshell by publicly proposing for the first time the setting up of a 'United States of Kashmir' which in other words means converting both parts of Kashmir into an independent state. As a prerequisite to the move, the Mir Waiz has charted the following roadmap:

• A phased withdrawal of both Indian and Pakistani troops (including paramilitary forces) from areas under their respective control.

• In order to do this, it might be necessary to take the first step towards the reduction of Indian and Pakistani forces from the Kashmir borders.

• The immediate and complete cessation of military, paramilitary and militant action.

• Withdrawal of the military presence from towns and villages.

• Dismantling of bunkers, watch towers and barricades.

• Releasing of political prisoners.

• Changing cavalier attitudes towards human rights violations, especially custodial killings.

• Annulling various special repressive laws.

• Restoring the rights of peaceful association, assembly and demonstration.

• Permitting the Kashmiri leadership that favours a negotiated resolution to travel abroad without hindrance.

• Creating necessary conditions and providing facilities for an intra-Kashmiri dialogue involving both sides of the ceasefire line.

• Allowing a transitional phase, a phase of detoxification, before decisive elements are put into effect.

These are indeed very sensible proposals from a representative body which may provide a logical framework for the solution of the Kashmir dispute. But India and Pakistan would both have serious reservations about converting Jammu Kashmir into an independent state.

The reasons are obvious: from the very beginning, India has declared J&K its atoot ang, and has enshrined it as an integral part of the Indian constitution. The million-dollar question is: would it be possible for any Indian government to change this policy, to which India has been adhering for over half a century? Likewise, some parts of JK have also been a part of Pakistan since the conflict started, and are strategically very important in the country's geopolitical scenario. Would Pakistan be willing and able to give them up? The immediate answer is likely to be 'No'.

In view of these compulsions, it seems next to impossible for Pakistan and India to accept the proposal put forward by Mir Waiz Umar Farooq. Despite all the recent goodwill and friendly vibes between India and Pakistan, Kashmir still remains a hard nut to crack. No doubt this is the best opportunity that has been offered for the solution of the Kashmir problem. Both India and Pakistan should grab it with sincerity and a spirit of accommodation. They must show broad political vision and strive for a satisfactory solution.

It would be advisable that as a first step the Kashmir issue should be freed from the clutches of the secret agencies of both countries and hard-liner bureaucrats, and tackled with political wisdom and foresight. The hostile propaganda warfare carried out by the media of both countries, which has been adding fuel to the fire for many years, should be stopped forthwith.

This writer had suggested in an earlier column that since the options of a plebiscite, an independent Kashmir and the division of the state on the regional basis proposed by President Musharraf are not acceptable, the only viable solution might be India agreeing to grant full autonomy to Occupied Kashmir, just like Pakistan which has given an almost 'independent' status to Azad Kashmir with its elected assembly and own flag. The Indian governor, who is the de facto ruler of Occupied Kashmir, and the Indian armed forces, which are on Kashmiri soil to crush the struggle for self-determination, should be pulled out. The elected government should be allowed to function freely with the full cooperation of all indigenous political groups. Pakistan too should abolish the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs.

The veteran Kashmiri leader, Sardar Abdul Qayyum, has also put forward a similar, four-point peace formula which supports maximum autonomy for Occupied Kashmir, conversion of the LoC into a soft border for easy interaction between all Kashmiris, demilitarisation of Kashmir and a ceasefire between Indian forces and the jihadis. MQM Chief Altaf Hussain, who may have discussed the Kashmir issue with the New Delhi leadership during his visit to India, had also pleaded the case of converting the LoC into a soft border. He proposed an all-parties conference to reach consensus on a formula for the solution of the Kashmir problem. Since India is also in favour of full autonomy for Occupied Kashmir, it is time for Pakistan to consider this seriously and make it a basis for further negotiations on Kashmir.

The writer is a former director of PTV

Source: The News

Date Created: 11/28/05

Date/Time Last Modified: 11/28/2005 10:31:06 AM

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