Vinita Deshmukh on Kasab’s Verdict

Guest Blogger Vinita Deshmukh on Kasab’s Verdict
http://blogs.rnw.nl/southasiawired/2010/05/08/guest-blogger-vinita-deshmukh-on-kasab-verdict/
8th May 2010
by Keerthana Nagarajan.
(My comments are below)
We’ve handed over our bloggers’ chair for the day to Vinita Deshmukh, a senior Indian journalist, activist and the editor of the weekly tabloid Intelligent Pune. Vinita Deshmukh has co-authored the book-To the Last Bullet, along with the Vinita Kamte, the wife of Mumbai Additional Commissioner of Police, Ashok Kamte, who died fighting the terrorists in the 26/11 attacks on Mumbai.
Ajmal Kasab has been awarded the death sentence. Well, it would have been surprising only if he had been given anything less than death. Going by the standards of the Indian judiciary, the case you can say was closed fast. Though this is only the Special Court’s verdict and the High Court, Supreme Court and perhaps the mercy petition is yet to go by.
But considering the leaps that technology has made, the verdict was indeed snail paced. The video clips of the 22 year old Kasab showering bullets from his AK47 at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus; all clad in jeans, sneakers and the knapsack was proof enough for the court.The killings in Mumbai are considered to be the worst of the so called Fidayeen attacks - such as those on the Indian Parliament or the co-ordinated bombings of Mumbai train stations. And popular sentiment found it could concentrate its hatred on Kasab - caught on camera with his machine gun moments before he opened fire on a random public at the CST station. From the station, he ran with his accomplice Abu Ismail, to the Cama Hospital and opened fire on patients and police.
Additional Commissioner Sadanand Date was injured in this attack and three constables lost their lives. The gunmen then freely walked into the Rang Bhavan Lane alongside and killed three more officers: Anti-Terrorist Squad chief Hemant Karkare, Additional Commissioner, Eastern Region, Ashok Kamte and Inspector Vijay Salaska.
The events of 26/11 have touched a deeply emotional chord in Mumbaikers and there has been public unrest at the cost of the gunman’s imprisonment and trial estimated at Rs200,000 per day, (US$ 4500). Unsurprisingly, there has been little opposition to Kasab’s recently awarded death sentence.
When I wrote the book `To the last bullet’ for Vinita Kamte, I was anguished that her voice was not being heard by the Mumbai Police and the Home Ministry.
Firstly, her ardent requests to the Mumbai police authorities to let her know the sequence of events that led to the death of her husband, Ashok Kamte, fell on deaf ears. Despite being the wife of a senior IPS officer, she was compelled to use the Right To Information Act (RTI) to procure all call log records; which revealed conversations between the Control Room manned by the then Joint Commissioner of Police Rakesh Maria and the police officers on Ground Zero on the night of 26/11.
She along with her twin sister Revati had to burn the midnight oil for nights on end to scrutinise and analyse the call log records only to find serious goof ups by the Control Room which kept the three officers in the dark of the movement of the two terrorists. This led to a triple tragedy that could probably have been avoided.
Mrs Kamte has heard many excuses from the police about the death of her husband and his colleagues: `The three officers went in a hurry” , “We don’t know how they went together’, “They did not understand the gravity of the situation”. “To the Last Bullet” is the story of the journey of Mrs Vinita Kamte undertook to find the truth behind the maze of mistakes and cover-ups behind the death of her husband.
And the widow of the hero of this tragedy believes that the killer Ajmal Kasab got a fairer public hearing than she did.
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(K B Kale's comments)
It is unfortunate that the gifted journalists like Mrs Vinita Deshmukh never go for the jugular even when they have many leads and have the ability to dig deeper and go for the kill.
I have read the book “To the last bullet”. It is a great original work by Mrs Vinita Kamte which has been embellished by Mrs Vinita Deshmukh.
So a wife has done her duty towards her slain husband. But it has opened a Pandora’s box and each lead that has been shown by Mrs. Kamte is crying to be taken up by journalists like Mrs. Deshmukh to the logical end either by pronouncing the wrong doers as victims of misunderstanding or by pronouncing them guilty, bared in front of the readers and punished for their failures.
Journalists should keep the two columnists from Washington Post as their role models. Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein didn’t stop after scratcing just the surface of the Watergate scandal but kept digging in. They persevered till they forced President Nixon to resign.
I hope Mrs Vinita Deshmukh the jounalist doesn’t stop at surfacial scratching of this big event, but keeps digging till she sends the people who were responsible for the poor show by Mumbai Police, once considered on par with Scotland yard, on 26/11.
K B Kale

Arafat - a respected leader

Arafat - a respected leader
10th Dec. 2004
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2004/12/10/arafat-respected-leader.html
(Response of a JP reader to my earlier letter on this subject)
I wonder what kind of a world that K.B. Kale thinks he lives in. In his letter about Yasser Arafat's departure from this world (The Jakarta Post, Nov. 29), Kale stressed out that except for the nearest and dearest to Arafat, the rest of the world would be more likely to celebrate than mourn his passing. The world as in the eyes and mind of Kale does not seem to include the countries whose leaders paid their respects to Arafat and flew to Egypt, including Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
It is clear that in the opinion of a person such as Kale, what one should define as the world is those few countries that did express a kind of relief about Arafat's death. We all know which countries they are. It may be an arguable point to Kale, but to me a so-called superpower country and its allies do not constitute the entire world.
Kale also overlooked the Palestinian people, millions of them, who were heartbroken and emotional during Arafat's funeral in Ramallah. The event was often pictured on television and aired live on several TV stations. Who could have missed the images? I assume Kale did.
I would like to add that when President Susilo, a leader of more than 200 million people -- surely quite a significant part of the world -- took off immediately to Egypt to say his last goodbyes to Arafat, there was no palpable sense of relief here over his death. Susilo represented our country and many Indonesians do respect Arafat and mourn his death. Needless to say, I am proud that he went to the funeral because it is simply what a respectable national leader should do on the passing of another respectable national leader, no matter successful or unsuccessful they are (then again, ""unsuccessful"" is only Kale's opinion within his limited worldview).
IRMA FITRASARI Tangerang, Banten

Regulation on intake of artificial sweeteners

Regulation on intake of artificial sweeteners
1st Nov. 2005
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2005/11/01/regulation-intake-artificial-sweeteners.html

In response to the letter On artificial sweeteners from K.B. Kale in The Jakarta Post on Oct. 31, commenting on my previous letter Substitute for sugar (Oct. 20), I would like to inform him that he can read the book published by the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency in 2004 titled Peraturan Teknis Penggunaan Bahan Tambahan Pangan Pemanis Buatan (or Technical Rules governing the Use of Artificial Sweeteners).
This book sets out the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of sweeteners and maximum doses for different kinds of foodstuffs, including ice cream.
ADI is the amount of the substance in milligrams per kilogram that can be consumed daily over the course of a lifetime and which is safe according to the World Health Organization.
SUNARTO PRAWIROSUJANTO, Jakarta

The bus congestion conundrum

The bus congestion conundrum
09th March, 2006
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2006/03/09/bus-congestion-conundrum.html
(Response of a JP reader to my earlier letter on this subject)
K.B. Kale's recent letter in The Jakarta Post regarding making the busway open to all busses is right on the money. When I drive down Sudirman, I see an empty busway lane and a totally congested slow lane with crowded buses and many other types of public transportation vehicles that are trying to drop off and pick up passengers. This all completely fouls up the slow lane and makes it miserable for all regular traffic trying to enter and leave the buildings on Sudirman.
I challenge Governor Sutiyoso to logically explain to the public how he can basically take out a whole lane of traffic and not make the most of the busway lane.
If the entry points for the buses in the busway lane are not suited to non-TransJakarta buses, then change the system (easy to do) slightly to get all buses to use the busway lane on Sudirman. That will really ease congestion. Simple logic: If the traffic lane is called ""The Busway"", then make sure all buses use it.
Come on, let's make Jakarta a little more liveable!
DIAH HIKMAWATI, Jakarta

The year of the dream team?

The year of the dream team?
29th May 2008
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2008/05/29/letter-the-year-dream-team.html
(Response of a JP reader on my letter of 15th May 2008 re Dream Team)

This is to comment on K.B. Kale's letter on May 15, titled "Dream ticket", saying that if Hillary Clinton were to accept being Barack Obama's running mate, it would make for a "dream ticket".
I do agree with his idea, but the contest in the Democrat Party's nomination is still going on at least until June 3, after the last three primaries in Puerto Rico on June 1 and Montana and South Dakota on June 3.
What makes the dream ticket a possibility for Obama as he recently won in Oregon, is also, I think, a possibility for Clinton because she won earlier in Kentucky.
The reason is based on exit polls that Obama had difficulty with white working-class voters in Kentucky as he has in other states that gave Clinton 70 percent of those votes as well as three-quarters of votes from people who did not finish college. About 20 percent said race played a factor in their votes (The Jakarta Post, May 22).
If the above polls prove to be true, along with the CNN poll which says 75 percent of Americans are willing to accept a black president, the dream ticket may fall to either Obama or Clinton.
Whoever the Democratic Party nominee will be, to be decided in August by the superdelegates, a dream team, in my opinion, may be in sight because Clinton herself has said that whatever the end result is, she will maintain the party's unity.
Such a team would be a strong and tough contender, like the American basketball dream team playing in the Olympics. The Democrat's dream team would surely beat Republican nominee John McCain, whose ruling party has been preoccupied with the so-called war on terror for the past six years.
On which party will win this fall presidential election, I do agree that is the year of the Democrats because apart from the above-mentioned Bush policies, a California city has declared itself bankrupt (and may be followed by other cities) because it could not bear the expenditures as a result of the U.S. economic slowdown.
M. RUSDI, Jakarta

Bush, shoes, and Gaza conflicts

Bush, shoes, and Gaza conflicts
10th Jan 2009
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/01/10/letter-bush-shoes-and-gaza-conflicts.html
(Response of a JP reader to my letter of 6th Jan 2009)
I was amused to read K.B. Kale's letter titled "What a way to go!" (The Jakarat Post, Jan. 6).
He seems to admire Bush's agility very much and was mostly relieved that the Iraqi journalist's shoes missed the president's head.
K.B. Kale gives us an overview of Bush disastrous presidency, but curiously omits to mention the illegal and unjustified war on Iraq -- a war that has led to the death of a million of civilians, made thrice as much refugees.
He finished his letter by deploring and condemning Muntadhar's barbaric assault on the president.
This cartoon-like version of events (ignoring a great deal of facts and background) reminds me of the other version of the presently unfolding tragedy in Gaza where Hamas are attacking innocent Israelis.
IRA SUROSO, Jakarta

Don't blame other for your ills

Don't blame other for your ills
19th Dec. 2009
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/12/19/letter-don039t-blame-other-your-ills.html

It was quite interesting to read the letter, "Export Surplus" in The Jakarta Post of Dec. 15. The title was very carefully chosen and, in its economic garb, all kind of malicious denigration spewed at the country which for the last eight years has been engaged in the war on terror, not just for its own sake but for the sake of humanity.
Such type of propaganda only aims to belittle Pakistan's contribution towards global peace by sincere endeavors to eradicate the scourge of militancy. In the process, Pakistan has suffered immense loss of life and resources.
Without going into the gory details of the letter through which the writer implicates almost everyone in Pakistan for one misdoing or the other, I only wish to assert that one should keep one's own house in order before meddling in the affairs of neighbors. It is not wise to blame all of India's ills on her neighbor.
Frankly speaking, most of the ills India is facing today are of its own doing, the Kashmir issue topping them all. To cover up its atrocities in Indian-held Kashmir, India has never allowed an independent UN mission or human rights body to visit the area. But Kashmir is only the tip of the iceberg as there are a number of other mutinies brewing throughout the length and breadth of India.
Interestingly an article in The Post of Dec. 15 also pinpoints one such movement by the Naxalites. The article very prudently examines the issue of separatist trends in Asia and warns that viewing such tendencies as only the backdrop of religious motivation is totally wrong.
The ideology of the left is experiencing a renaissance which is particularly true of the largest democracy, India.
It is also pertinent to note that despite Pakistan's sincere efforts for resumption of the peace talks, India has not returned to the dialogue table.
It always finds one excuse or the other to stay away from the dialogue process. What moral ground does it have to blame Pa-kistan when it is refraining from talks?
India needs to do some soul-searching herself and answer as to why it has denied the Kashmiris their right to self-determination for the last six decades, why it is persecuting its minorities (read the Sachar Report) and why the countless independence movements are fast surfacing there. What are India's consulates strewn along Afghanistan's border with Pakistan doing? What are they up to?
K.B. Kale needs to do some research on that as well; I am sure that would make another good episode for the letters column.
Farhan Qutab and Faraz Liaquat
Islamabad

Again, on RI, India relations

Again, on RI, India relations
3rd Feb 2010
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/02/03/letters-again-ri-india-relations.html
(In response to my letter of 30th Jan. 2010)
Your editorial on Jan. 26 congratulating India was quite interesting to read, as was its appreciation by K.B. Kale, "India, Indonesians cross cultures" on Jan. 30.
Adding to the editorial and the letter by Kale, I would like to clarify that the assistance to Indonesia from the subcontinent in its fight against the colonizers, in fact, came from the 600-odd Muslim soldiers who deserted the British Indian Army in 1945 to join hands with their Indonesian brethren.
They never returned to areas (now part of India's immediate neighbor) from whence they came and eventually the surviving ones settled in Indonesia, but before that they saw to it that Indonesia did achieve independence.
Their third generation is now living in this beautiful country and still has fond memories of what their elders did for Indonesia. I hope some of them will read this piece and send a comment or two to verify the contention.
As far as Indonesia is concerned, its record in maintaining perfect harmony among various ethnic groups and minorities has been unblemished, thanks largely to the Pancasila ideology that its founders incorporated in its Constitution.
Indonesia never had any expansionist designs or a policy of encroachment, territorial or political, so is unique in that important aspect. There is much the largest democracy in the world could learn from the third-largest.
Although the editorial never touched on this subject, Kale says the Indian Army never raped the whole country; well, it had another alternative on which to practice this sort of a pastime. What the Indian troops did to the Darbar Sahib and the Sikhs is still fresh in the memory. Facts are facts.
I have no authority to make claims on behalf of Indonesians but the fact remains that Indonesia is the largest Muslim-majority country in the world and its people are proud of their Islamic heritage.
They don't wish to associate themselves with any other ideology or entity.
Farhan Qutab and Faraz Liaquat, Jakarta

India’s commercial interests vs the Kashmir dispute-Laura Schuurmans

India’s commercial interests vs the Kashmir dispute-Laura Schuurmans
12th August 2010
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/08/12/india’s-commercial-interests-vs-kashmir-dispute.html

For the first time since taking office, British Prime Minister David Cameron traveled to India in early July, where he was warmly welcomed by his Indian counterpart to cement their friendship, enhance cultural cooperation and boost trade.
India is a growing world power and economists have predicted that by 2020 India will be among the world’s largest economies. It has also started playing a more significant role in world politics and is one of the countries seeking a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
Cameron’s staunch support for one of the world’s fastest-growing economies was evident and he did not hesitate to openly accuse India’s arch-rival Pakistan for exporting terrorism to its neighboring countries. This outraged the Pakistani people and government, which consequently led to the Pakistan intelligence chief canceling a planned trip to London.
Analyzing the root cause of antagonism between India and Pakistan and subsequently that of terrorism in the region, former British foreign secretary David Miliband may have been more objective than the prime minister. During his visit to India in January 2009, Miliband said that a resolution of the dispute over Kashmir would help deny extremists in the region one of their main calls to arm, and allow Pakistani authorities to focus more effectively on tackling the threat on their western borders. His comments angered the Indian authorities that are not interested in foreign intervention, including that of the UN, in the Kashmir dispute.
The origins of the Kashmir dispute date back to the partition of the British Raj in 1947. Based on the partition plan and the “Two Nation Theory”, the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir with a predominately Muslim population was widely expected to accede to Pakistan.
The Hindu Maharaja of Kashmir, however, signed a controversial treaty of accession with India which led to war in October 1947. The two countries fought three more wars over Kashmir in 1965, 1971 and the 1999 Kargil conflict. China also lays claims on a part of Kashmir and went to war with India over the disputed region in 1962.
More than 60 years later, the conflict between the two nuclear giants over Kashmir has led to serious repercussions and complex security conditions in South Asia. Pakistan, on the other hand, has been a state directly affected since the “war on terror” first began in October 2001.
The US and its NATO allies have not succeeded in winning over the hearts and minds of the Afghan people. The growing instability in Afghanistan has caused a spillover effect into Pakistan where the Pakistani Taliban has been waging a war against its own people. One hundred and fifty thousand Pakistani troops have now been stationed along the Afghan border.
Over the past eight years, Pakistan has suffered severe economic losses, high inflation, a large number of civilian casualties and internally displaced people, and has lost more troops than the US and NATO forces combined in Afghanistan. Pakistan says, moreover, that their sacrifices have not been recognized by the world at large and that it continues to receive pressure from the international community to do more.
Going back to the Kashmir dispute, David Cameron is not the only one who underestimates the magnitude of this dispute and who may believe that India’s commercial interests are of more significance than a resolution of Kashmir.
The security conditions in Kashmir have recently begun to spiral out of control after a 17-year-old student was killed by Indian security forces earlier in June. Dozens more have been killed by Indian forces over the past two months. The media has given wide coverage to the ongoing human rights violations, but the Indian government has not done enough to safeguard the dignity of life and property of the Kashmiris.
Angry protesters have continued to demonstrate and even women have taken to the streets. In protest they have chanted anti-Indian and pro-freedom slogans to express their anger and frustrations against Indian occupation and over the killings of young innocent Kashmiris. In a recent statement, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed “concern over the prevailing security situation in Indian Kashmir”.
In the world’s largest democracy resides the world’s heaviest militarized region, and 700,000 Indian security forces are keeping a population of seven million Kashmiris under tight control. On the pretext of fighting militancy in Kashmir, tens of thousands of innocent Kashmiris have been killed by the Indian army since 1989.
Arbitrary arrests, torture and disappearances have deeply frustrated the Kashmiri people who are living under the shadow of guns. International media and organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have limited access to the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir. If the world truly wishes to see stability returning to the South Asian subcontinent, a solution to Kashmir is essential to complicate the security conditions even further and to deny religious extremist gaining further ground in South Asia and beyond.
World powers such as the US will have to decide whether to protect human rights or whether they give priority to their commercial interests, the latter of which may not be able to ensure a safe and just world.
The growing instability in Afghanistan has caused a spillover effect into Pakistan.
The writer is based in Jakarta and has written several academic papers on South Asia.
Post Comments | Comments (68)
yasir, kchi | Tue, 26/04/2011 - 11:04am
hay friend from jammu and kashmir.why dont u get azadi just think on that lines agan and agan the answer will be there.we pray your women children and old people remain happy and safe.pakistan is islamic state will remain till end of this world.we are fighting against terror to bring back the lost image of islam.well you need to improve your gk....
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Bronze, UK | Mon, 30/08/2010 - 03:08am
I think Laura Schuurmans has just got woken up from her sleep and had been made to write this article straight without her morning coffee. She has just penned whatever she can without any analysis.
Seems any A, B or C can write any nonsense without any thinking or analysis.
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Syed Ahmed, Mumbai, india | Thu, 26/08/2010 - 11:08am
I fully agree with Md Jalaluddin for both of his comments. Laura Schuurmans is highly biased in her views and there is a definite hidden agenda in her article. Pakistani secret service agency ISI has many Agents like her whose only job is to spread disinformation and distort the facts to highlight the Kashmir issue and try to draw the attention of the world for it's cause. Also, Pakistani Military officers are dreaming about bombing And annihilating India with it's Islamic atom bombs. In the process it is forgetting that the Islamic bomb will not spare Muslims like me and they forget that India is home to the second largest Muslim population in the world after Indonesia. Mumbai alone has two million Muslims, which Pakistanis have no qualms in annihilating. And they claim they are custodians of Muslim causes world over. What you sow is what you reap. Hatred begets hatred. It is the sins that the Pakistanis that have committed during the last six decades, which has resulted in suicide bombings, death, destruction, economic bankruptcy, social decay, fratricidal wars in Muslims killing Muslims. Pakistanis today can not survive without alms from other countries and their leaders visit every other Country with a begging bowl. Whereas Muslims in India are going from strength to strength, enjoying fruits of the economic success of the rising economic super power! And Pakistan today suffers from floods, eArthquakes, disasters after disasters...all are curses of Allah for their sins. Pakistan has no future...will break into smaller states, will be taken by the Taliban into the stone age and could get destroyed because of jehadi misadventures. I don't think any sane Kashmiri Muslim would like to join Pakistan!
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Mohammed Jalaluddin, Jammu, India | Thu, 26/08/2010 - 10:08am
Pakistan hasn't been given a contract by the world's Muslims to represent them, nor should it assume that it is the sole Representative of the Muslim voice. The nuclear weapons it has got (from stolen technology from West and gifted by China) does not give it a right to talk on behalf of all Muslims of the world, and certainly not on behalf of Muslims of India. We Muslims of India are WAY better than the terribly suffering Muslims of Pakistan, where Muslims are killed like ants in Mosques and roads by suicide bombers and jehadists. Today Pakistan has become an epicenter of terrorism and the only contribution it is making now to the world is terrorism. Pakistan because of it's obsession with my State of J & K, has relentlessly encouraged jehad as an instrument of state policy against India, Afghanistan and Shia Iran. Pakistan's such policies are solely responsible for the tarnished image of The great religion of Islam in the world. Because of Pakistanis, Muslims world over are looked at with suspicion. It should stop meddling in J & K. We Kashmiris will never join Pakistan, as were better off where we are now. In India we are safe, we are not bombed by Taliban while praying, we get all the benefits of economic progress of India, our religious rights are protected by the constitution. We elect our own government (whereas, during most of it's history, Pakistan was ruled by military tyrants). There is absolutely no discrimination against Muslims. There were two Muslim Presidents in India, the current Vice-president of India is a Muslim, there were Muslims who captained Indian cricket teams, one of the top three IT companies' owner is a Muslim, who is one of the richest persons of India, top artists and film-stars are Muslims, Indian Airforce chief was a Muslim, Muslims were Supreme Court judges, thus Muslims are equal partners in every aspect. Therefore, Pakistan, you stop meddling in our country...your country will be the last country on earth that we will join if ever we decide to secede from India.
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Mohammed Jalaluddin, Jammu, India | Thu, 26/08/2010 - 10:08am
First of all, it is clear that the author Laura S is just pretending to be knowledgeable about events and history in South Asia. But unfortunately, her knowledge about the subcontinent is absolutely shallow. She probably is on the paroll of ISI, and Jakarta Post should be careful in publishing articles from her, as inadvertently it should not give encouragement to Taliban mentality and jehadism. Dawood Gilani, the top LET terrorist apprehended by FBI in the USA has given a lot of confessions in which he has informed that ISI and LET (and Al Quaida) are inseparable, as you see the same people at both the places, when you visit the ISI office or visit a Taliban training camp! He also informed the interrogators that the LET was given 25000 USD by the ISI to buy a boat to sail the Mumbai terrorists from Pakistan to India, which killed 175 people including dozens of innocent Muslims at a Mumbai railway station and other places in 2008. He also informed that these terrorists were given marine commando training at Pakistan Navy training facilities by the ISI. Recent revelations about ISI hand in troubles in Afghanistan and other places in leaked CIA soca should also be taken into consideration. It is known fact that Osama is very much in the safe custody of ISI all the time since he fled Kabul. Jakarta Post should be careful about publishing articles by Jehadi activists supporters like the author Laura S.
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Aninda, Singapore | Mon, 23/08/2010 - 23:08pm
What do Kashmiris want? Its a bit like the movie "what do women want?" starring Mel Gibson. This article below sheds some Indian perspectives that puts Laura Schuurmans shallow, ill conceived, analysis and predispositions to shame. And all the Pakistani nonsensical yelling about "Aaaaazzzaaaddiii" is just that.... utter nonsense.
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Concluding part of "An unprecedented dialogue on Kashmir":
Sushma Swaraj stunned the students from the valley on August 18 with the question "tell me what idea of the so-called 'azadi' you have and I shall speak after that". The students decided to have one among them to define what they thought about the concept of freedom they were seeking for Kashmir. Sarmad said: "We want to include Gilgit, Baltistan, Jammu and Ladakh in 'Azad Kashmir' and will have friendly relations with Pakistan and India." Some others tried to interject with more ideas. There was no clear voice that could describe what they mean by "azadi" when they chant it.
Now the leader of the opposition explained in a motherly way that they were all like her children. She said: "So, son, first decide what you want. Some want to remain independent, some want Gilgit and Baltistan, some want to go with Pakistan. No one is clear. You already have Jammu and Ladakh; enjoy an autonomy which is not available to any other Indian state. Gilgit and Baltistan you can't have without getting into a scuffle and that may lead to a war.
The best 'azadi' that all of you enjoy is with the tricolour. The Indian Constitution provides everything that a citizen can aspire for. It has space for all the shades and opinions within its framework. Look at the educational and technological advances other Indian states are making and see the number of Kashmiri youths coming out of the valley to take advantage of it — in Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai and Delhi. That's the freedom of development and reaching the sky for lifetime achivements." She brillinatly punctured the 'azadi' fumblings and made Manjoor Yusuf, a braveheart student from Srinagar, to come to the dais and declare:
"It's wrong to say that all Kashmiri Muslims want 'azadi'. We want our future with India. It's a great country and in the last election 61% of the citizens of Kashmir cast their votes. India, not Pakistan, is our destiny." The atmosphere changed in a second. A small section of "azadi" seekers couldn't say anything except jeering at the Indian voice from Kashmir. He later complained that some of the students threatened him, "but I am not scared, sir". He was firm.
Smriti Irani, actor (Tulsi) and national president of the BJP's women's wing, charmingly disarmed the separatism advocates. "Azadi — What for and how? By making innocent kids and young people leave their homes and pelt stones on soldiers who are guarding the nation under their constitutional duty? Why should you not be concentrating on making the education system better and responsive? All the separatist leaders including Gilani and Andrabi send their children to various Indian cities and abroad to get the best education and settle down as progressive persons, but make the valley youth cannon fodder for their nefarious games, played and funded by Pakistan. Why don't you see the game?"
The Kashmiri Hindu students, like Radhika Kaul (just about to leave for Yale University) asked why none from Jammu or Ladakh supported what they said and wanted to be distanced from all their claims. "Why none of you ever, even in passing, refer to the pains and aspirations of these two areas which you think form an essential part of your so called 'Azad Kashmir'?"
"Your 'Azad Kashmir' remains a small, marginalized cry of a section of stone pelters in the valley alone," said Aditya Kaul. Utpal Kaul — born, brought up and educated in Srinagar — reminisced about his student days, about his Muslim teachers and the tradition of "Dal Cross" and "Wooler Cross" by girl students too who had pretty good hockey and tennis teams. "Where has all that vanished? Why do you want to be just confined to a small area of the valley? Give leadership to the Indian Muslims. Where is the space of Indian Muslims on your radar?" Prof Fouzia too became emotional and said: "We always had the tradition of mosques and temples existing side by side." To this, Aditya wanted to know, where have all the temples gone now? Thousands of them have been demolished and graffiti in foul language written against Hindus on their half-burnt walls. Why none of them ever protested against such happenings?
Editors' interaction with the students hinged on how political aspirations are taking a turn in the valley. Chandan Mitra of the Pioneer, Rajesh Kalra of the Times Group and Shoma Chaudhry from Tehelka tried to understand and put forth their viewpoints about Kashmir's problems and their solutions. Shoma spoke about the new wave of political demands in the valley and termed stone pelting too as an expression of anger. Chandan predictably took the nationalist line and tried to explain how the Indian democracy is the best framework. "Be part of a larger Indian milieu and everything can be sorted out," he emphasized. Large sections of Muslim students, apart from those who came from Islamic University nodded in affirmation. Rajesh Kalra asked students about their academic pursuits and their dreams. He said that unless they joined the mainstream of a struggle within the Indian framework how could they think they could excel in their lives.
The thrilling part was the arrival of the seven young turk membes of Parliament belonging to various political parties.
Harsimrat Kaur Badal was at her eloquent best. She narrated emotionally the trauma Punjab had gone through during the Khalistan movement. How every Sikh was a suspect, how young Sikhs were killed as suspects by the security forces and the massacre of 1984. "But gradually we all felt separatism was not an answer, it gave nothing but blankness, a black hole. Today Punjab youths are in the grip of drugs and all sorts of negative traits, a direct fallout of the insurgency. Punjab lost its vibrant, dynamic youth in a movement that was self-defeating." "And listen," she turned a tigress, "I am not from the Congress or the BJP, but I am an Indian and as an Indian I must clearly tell you that till the last Indian is alive, no one will ever allow Kashmir to secede from us. It's an integral part of us, of India." The conference room rose to hail her with roaring claps. The voices of "azadi'' had no answer. Neeraj Shekhar asked: "How many of you have voted in the last elections?" Islamic University students said in unison: "No one." "Why?" asked Neeraj. They said: "Because the elections are always rigged, so we have no faith in them." This was contested again by Manzoor Yusuf, who said 61% of Kashmiris voted in the elections. "That means you do not represent the majority." Aditya pointed out: "A known separatist leader, Bilal Lone, contested the election and lost his deposit. It means the majority of Kashmiris do not like separatists."
Priya Dutt said in her inimitable style: "Why on earth you declare first that you are not an Indian and then ask for more? How can one come on a dialogue table with a baggage of preconceived notions and then begin with riders? We are with you, we understand your pains and sorrows, we share your grief and demands for justice, but that can be met only under an Indian constitutional framework. And no one, no party or ideology or shade of belief, can ever give you 'azadi'. Take it today as firmly as possible."
Anurag Thakur, the young turk from Himachal who is also the president of Himachal Cricket Association and national president of the BJP's youth wing, spoke from the heart: "We are with you on every issue that creates pain or anguish, but as Indians. Nothing can ever be discussed beyond the parameters of our Indianness. We are talking to you not because you are different but because you have always been a part of us, an inalienable story of a larger Indian epic." Madhu Yashki narrated his own story from Andhra Pradesh, where he too was witness to the demand of a Telangana state. "It never pays to be an extremist, trust me. Our destinies and dreams are best protected under the umbrella of our Indianness."
Jayant Chaudhary was candid. "You want peace, right?" And everyone nodded. So friends, peace as I read somewhere, is like lovemaking. You have to keep your eyes shut and let the process take its course. Coming on a dialogue table with preconditions spoils the game. Then he said: "Tell me why some of you want ‘azadi’." The students, voicing separatist threads, fumbled, "Pandit Nehru had promised a plebiscite." "But that was to be held without any demographic changes. The valley has gone tremendous change in its population contours, with Hindus ousted and people from across the border rehabilitated post-1947," retorted Radhika Kaul.
None could explain why they want "azadi"; none could reply why Ladakh and Jammu remained absent from their worldview. Students who wanted "separation" were not keen to listen to the voices of Indianness from their own Muslim brothers and sisters from Srinagar. They said that even the 2002 and 2008 elections — universally hailed as free and fair, including by UN observers — were rigged.
"We have a lost generation in the valley, fed from their early childhood that they are different, hence they have, a separate flag, a separate constitutional provision and they do not belong to India as Bihar and Assam do. Some of the students claimed Kashmiris were a different race and a different "kaum" unlike Indians. I said: "Read at least Sheikh Abdullah’s biography, 'Atishe Chinar', in which he traces his roots, two generations back, to Kaul Hindus. There are Rainas, Kauls and Bhatts this side, exiled from their homes, and Rainas, Kauls and Bhatts on the other side. Why the divide just because one has a different way of worship?"
Ram Madhav, national executive member of the RSS, shared his views and took difficult questions with aplomb, asserting the age-old unity of Jammu & Kashmir with India. "We can never think to have Kashmir separated from India at any cost," he asserted. "We would like every person in J&K to prosper and have a government of his choice within the framework of the Indian Constitution."
This dialogue could happen because Prof Siddiq Wahid and Prof Fouzia Kazi were among the believers in resolving issues through talks. I wish I were a student of Dr Fouzia, who was so articulate and spoke with great maturity and élan. The same goes for Prof Wahid. The students were brilliant, and put forth their views assertively and decently. The dialogue has convinced us that there are people in the valley who believe in sharing the views rather than stone pelting and killing. No bullet can ever find a solution to a complex problem and building bridges in spite of all hurdles and challenges remains the course of a civil society. That has to be supported from both sides, though. The vice chancellor, Prof Wahid, invited us to continue the dialogue in Srinagar, in his Islamic University of Science and Technology. We have accepted the invitation. Friends are made. Sinead Kachroo of Aman Satya Kachroo Trust shared the feelings of Kashmiri students by offering to wear a black band to mourn the deaths of innocent people in the valley; it deeply touched the hearts of everybody.
+++++++++++++++++++
Regards
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Andy, Singapore | Mon, 23/08/2010 - 13:08pm
"... 700,000 Indian security forces are keeping a population of seven million Kashmiris under tight control."
...yes but she forgot to mention was that this is against the depredations of blood thirsty Jihadis from across the border. An armed presence cannot be turned on and off until there is sustainable security.
@John,
Nice of you to contribute to this debate from your "armchair" in London. India is not expecting flowers and chocolates, and I can guarantee you nor will it give any.
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Shoaib Malik, Pakistan | Fri, 20/08/2010 - 17:08pm
"In the world’s largest democracy resides the world’s heaviest militarized region, and 700,000 Indian security forces are keeping a population of seven million Kashmiris under tight control."
This lady has hit the bulls-eye!
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John, London | Thu, 19/08/2010 - 14:08pm
If anyone suffered the loss of his/her child or family member at the hands of the Indian occupational police or paramilitary forces, I would like to see how one would react. Speaking comfortably from your chairs, safe at home does not make for a real conversation.
I also wonder how you would react if someone came into your home and occupied it, with no recourse to justice or a legal framework, instead citing country's constitution against people's will for self-determination.
For thousands who have suffered at the hands of the Indian forces, it is normal to understand the kind of reaction the Indians should expect. Like Iraq, Palestine or Afghanistan, the occupiers should not expect a bunch of flowers and chocolate from those they are occupying under a false pretext:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-10961577
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Aninda, Singapore | Tue, 17/08/2010 - 19:08pm
@Akash,
Hahaha... you call that a "well referenced" position? Buddy, all you are doing is "selecting" sources that support your view. The main question is its relevance in the arguments we are defending. Really… what a waste. What did you really think these links are? The definite last word on the Kashmir story?! What a hoot :-)
Kashmiris are welcome to discuss a compromise within the framework of the Indian constitution. Any other option is simply unforeseeable, even, though, for the hardliners it may be the best of all possible worst options. Timor Leste type solutions, UN resolutions are non-starters or inapplicable. Terrorism... well we've seen what that can get Kashmir (and do to society and politics).
One interesting side observation is how the shaky commitment of NATO forces in Afghanistan is quickly held up to be a recipe for long-term uncertainty. In contrast, my friend, the Indian half-million presence is there to stay till hell freezes over, or there is a sustainably peaceful solution. And nothing is going to alter this reality. Merely yelling and screaming and hyperventilating about genocide and gujarat, and orissa and maoists is simply a laughable non sequitur.
Aninda.
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Tax Reserves, california | Tue, 17/08/2010 - 16:08pm
Many self-employed individuals are considered “sole proprietors” or “independent contractors” for legal and tax purposes. This is true regardless of whether you are turning a hobby into a business, selling an indispensable widget or providing services to others. As a self-employed person, you report business revenue results on your personal income tax return. Following are a few guidelines and issues you should keep in mind if you are pursuing your entrepreneurial spirit.
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Richard, Jakarta | Tue, 17/08/2010 - 12:08pm
Both India and Pakistan side can stop arguing. Both side are equally to blame in the mess in Kashmir.
UN Resolution 47 has spelled out the steps to resolve Kashmir conflict. The most important piece is the Kashmirian's right to self determination with a referendum. But both Pakistan and India won't let that happen.
We are all intellectual and knowledgeable people. Let's cut the BS and get to the bottom line. Both India and Pakistan don't want to lose claim to the land. Manmohan Singh just recently said that Kashmir is a part of India and any talk and discussion need to follow that framework. Well sure, who cares about the will of Kashmir people right?
Ever since the partition of British Indian Empire into India and Pakistan, Kashmir's status has been uncertain. Neither India nor Pakistan has a legitimate claim to the territory.
Just let the people of Kashmir vote and get it over already. Both India and Pakistan should stop giving excuses, start to step aside and let people of Kashmir decide what they want with their own future.
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Akash, kl | Tue, 17/08/2010 - 11:08am
@Aninda, it seems that your bankrupt intellectual upbringing has finally caught up with you; so I will make this my last post to you:
>> "constitutional right to protest". Sure, sure. You missed the word "peaceful" in your statement about "constitutional right to protest."
The demonstrations began as peaceful. The masses simply wanted the occupying terror police and their hierarchy to investigate the killings of the teenagers. The authorities lackluster attitude to bring the culprits to justice was a wanton display of ignorance and a lack of political will to find and prosecute the trigger-hungry Indian terror forces.
Watch this abysmal performance by one of your Indian 'political analyst' as common sense prevails over Indian propaganda:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jt5fF5x1MIY
As a simple rule; for every action there will be an equal and opposite reaction. And in the case of social justice and responsibility, the Indian occupying terror forces, this action was their inaction to protect the populace from their own brutality!
The rest of your post is devoid of facts and justice and does not answer the premise that anti-India sentiment runs deep in J&K. It is a reflection of a sanitised mind-set that blames the occupied victim for refusing to be subjugated to the brutal suppression of the occupier.
Perhaps being in S'pore has put a damper on your reading horizon and the strength of your educational freedoms, but this does not mean the rest of the world is as deluded as yourself, with all due respect. Apart from the latest news items from the BBC and other reliable global media outlets, you should be brave enough to venture into finding the CAUSES of this frequent anti-India flare-up by the majority Muslims.
Here is a good place to start:
http://kashmir.g2gm.com/index.htm
http://www.kmsnews.org
Most content is fully referenced and thus charges of partiality won't stick.
Good luck and good bye!
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Aninda, Singapore | Mon, 16/08/2010 - 21:08pm
@akash,
"constitutional right to protest". Sure, sure. You missed the word "peaceful" in your statement about "constitutional right to protest."
Please explain to me how hurling petrol bombs, and looting arms from police stations is a constitutional right in any country???
And if in the process, shots are fired in self defence then "Kashmiris are martyred" ooooohhh... what wonderful Islamic logic. These innocent little (firebombing) lads will be frolicking with 72 virgins in paradise, and these miserable (doing their duty) police are evidence of a rampage? huh?!
A better question for you to consider, Akash, is how come some of these people and their Pakistani sympathizers seem to hate their enemy more than they love their own children? And is this a viable basis for solving a deadlock? If not, then you folks need to transcend mere yells and screams at Indians on internet forums. India remains firmly in control of Kashmir and is not going anywhere. Period.
Aninda.
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akash, kl | Mon, 16/08/2010 - 12:08pm
Aninda writes:
>> Nonetheless, don't take it out on the poor Kashmiris.
We have the Indian occupying terror forces who are doing just great in "taking it out on the poor Kashmiris". They have gracefully killed and murdered over 40 civilians (mostly demonstrators), who were out practising their constitutional right to protest. Of course, we know India is no democracy and thus it becomes apparent that New Delhi simply does not value Muslim lives in the J&K.
When oppression of a whole people and suppression of their rights boils over, be prepared to face the natural consequences of your blood-thirsty policies in the state. Even mimicking Israeli genocidal policies has failed to achieve anything other than pave the way for future conflicts until New Delhi gives back to the people the right for self-determination.
If you are not aware of the many a proposed ideas to settle the conflict, I suggest you read up on the "Chenab formula". This remain the only viable solution to the problem of Indian terror campaigns in the state.
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muradali_shaikh, U.K. | Mon, 16/08/2010 - 08:08am
India is becoming world power but its friend is US which according to Eric::
Punishing the WikiLeaker misses the point
By ERIC MARGOLIS, QMI Agency
Last Updated: August 15, 2010 2:00am
George Orwell wrote: “If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.”
A true journalist’s job is to expose government wrongdoing and propaganda, skewer hypocrites, and speak for those with no voice. And wage war against mankind’s two worst scourges: Nationalism and religious bigotry. Not to lick the boots of government.
I’ve always felt kinship for free thinkers, rebels, and heretics.
That’s why I am drawn to the plight of Pte. Bradley Manning who apparently believed Ernest Hemingway’s dictum: “Never think that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, is not a crime.”
The 22-year-old U.S. Army intelligence analyst caused a worldwide furor by releasing to WikiLeaks secret military logs that exposed ugly truths about the brutal conflict in Afghanistan, including widespread killing of civilians.
To again quote Orwell: “During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.”
Manning also released a suppressed tape of a U.S. Army helicopter gunship killing two Reuters journalists and a civilian.
A civilian hacker, employed by some shadowy U.S. government intelligence “contractor” spying on the Internet turned Manning in.
Revenge was swift.
Manning was thrown into solitary confinement and faces a long prison term.
His case recalls another courageous whistleblower, Israeli technician Mordechai Vanunu, who revealed Israel’s large nuclear arsenal, was kidnapped, served 17 years in solitary, and still remains a semi-prisoner.
WikiGate provoked a flood of bombastic pro-war propaganda from America’s mainstream (read: Government guided) media, its rent-a-journalists, and Canada’s wannabe Republican neocons.
Manning’s revelations were blamed on his being gay, a loner, or maladjusted.
The Soviets used to lock away such “anti-state elements” and dissenters in mental institutions.
The neocons tried to divert attention by trumpeting the plight of a wretched Afghan girl whose nose had been cut off by her backwards tribal in-laws.
She was turned into a pro-war martyr.
This crime was immediately blamed without evidence on Taliban and served up as the reason why the Western powers had to garrison Afghanistan.
No pictures of Afghans blown to bits or maimed by U.S. bombs were published. No mentions of oil and gas.
Uncoincidentally, a few months ago, in response to Europe’s growing opposition to the Afghan War, the CIA reportedly advised NATO the best way to keep marketing the Afghan War to the public was claiming it was a crusade to protect women’s rights.
Inconveniently, the U.S. and Canada’s Afghan allies — Tajiks, Uzbeks and Hazara — mistreat their women as badly as Taliban’s Pashtun.
When I served in the U.S. Army, we were taught it was our duty to report up the chain of command all violations of the Geneva Conventions and war crimes. These included killing civilians, torture, reprisals, and executions.
Manning reportedly sought to report to his superiors just such crimes committed in Afghanistan by some U.S. forces and their local allies and mercenaries.
He was ignored. Just as was the courageous Canadian diplomat Richard Colvin when he warned Ottawa that prisoners were being handed over to the brutal Afghan secret police for torture and execution.
Manning’s motivations for whistleblowing matter not. What does matter is he revealed to the public the brutal nature of the colonial war in Afghanistan and the bodyguard of lies protecting it from public scrutiny.
If Americans and Canadians really knew the truth of this resource-driven war, and its carefully concealed cost, they would end it very quickly.
---
After 27 years, this is my last Sun column. I am grateful to the Sun for allowing me to freely express my views even when it disagreed with them.
My Sunday column continues at my website: ericmargolis.com and at the Huffington Post, LewRockwell.com, Bigeye.com and newspapers abroad.
Twitter @ericmargolis
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mansoor, kuala lumpur | Mon, 16/08/2010 - 07:08am
kashmiris dont want to be part of india. all that india wants is kashmir and keep it at any cost. kashmmir wants freedom from india.
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mukesh, Hindustan | Mon, 16/08/2010 - 04:08am
Aninda makes a lot of sense....Some of nim-wits out there should read and understand Aninda's remark rather jumping on the bandwagon of blaming India for problems when they have bigger problems back home.....
Look at the bright side... If Kashmir goes to Pakistan, then they have benefit of BEGGING the world for money help during natural disasters (earthquake, flood etc) because they cannot run their own country...because they are too busy on a permanent jihad rather than making sure their wife, kids and old people live a good life....
India is not a dream but a reality with its own set of problems that needs to be addressed....
Jai Hindustan
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Aninda, Singapore | Mon, 16/08/2010 - 00:08am
@Arshad.
Come, come my dear friend Arshad. We are all adults here so no name calling...okay, na?
Your clock and everything else should also be stuck on terrorism and Taliban. 'Cos it is in Pakistan where the bone marrow of society, culture, love, wisdom, and, indeed, civilization itself is slowly being sucked dry by the Pakistani and Punjabi version of the Taliban. These folks and their terror tactics have already reduced Afghanistan to a broken carcass, and their bones are now bleached dry and they are now slowly tearing into the flesh of Pakistan. Don't tell you have not already realized this? Yet your clock is not stuck between terror and Taliban? well, perhaps it should be. Or are you the Taliban itself? That is the other existential question that many Pakistanis may find difficult to answer. Tch, tch.
Nonetheless, don't take it out on the poor Kashmiris. We know this is a battle you are willing to fight till the last Kashmiri.
Cheers,
Aninda.
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Arshad, Dubai | Sun, 15/08/2010 - 20:08pm
your clock is just stuck in two things terrorists and taliban. Well for ur kind information no one in pakistan ever in dire situation want any sort of fake sympathy or help from indians.Even someone say anything abt kashmir u ppl are alarmed coz u know that u did so much wrong and still doing so much wrong to kashmir and kashmiris.The guilt never settle down inside indians like u.An ignorant person can change but even devine cant do anyhting abt "Morons".
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Aninda, singapore | Sun, 15/08/2010 - 19:08pm
Help from "muslim" Taliban for "muslim" Kashmiris is gratuitious and damaging and certainly not welcome by civil society anywhere in the world. You want to appeal to the Indonesian gov't or OIC or whoever, fine. go for such help. but when you wag your finger at us to remind the Taliban are coming, then you and the terorists are one and the same and will receive no quarter from the Indians, and not a shred of sympathy from civil society and governments anywhere in the world. Period. If that is so hard for you to understand, then your emotions are getting the better of your rationality. And we don't see Kashmir as "Muslim" so the notion of Pakistan having a right to have a say in this is utterly ridiculuous and is ultimately radicalizing your own country, Pakistan. If you wanted to help, you're certainly not doing much good by arming and sending in trained killers! This satisfies your bloodlust, but, does nothing, absolutely nothing to shake India's resolve. And in the process the Kashmiris suffer.
hats all.
As for all the mumbo jumbo about India's economy. That is irrelevant ot this discussion. India's economy is doing fine. Thanks for your concern and not so best wishes. I suggest you figure out a way to resolve your country's circular debt issues, IMF program, flood relief, and problems in Khyber P'khawa. You've got quite a load my friend. Cheers,
Aninda.
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Arshad, Dubai | Sun, 15/08/2010 - 17:08pm
@Aninda.. either u are naive or ignornat abt ur own country.Its not abt who is weak and who is strong..the point is here that u are supressing the kashmiris and those are muslims...how come u wont help a hindu supressed community in any country like we pakistani muslims are helping kashmiris.This is common in any where in the world..for u this is terrorism coz u want to caputure muslim land but for kashmiris this is a struggle.there is no difference b/w india and israel regarding occupation of land...if this kashmir problem has sloved maybe india and pakistan would be just like twin states. And for ur economic success that most of indians celebrate is due to recession in most of the major economic hubs.As a billion ppl population it would be a shame if u dont do economically good.this is a good sign that south asian country is doing good.but dont get into ecophobic mania. if recession can make western countries down..it can haunt u ppl too. the point is that accept the reallity and deal with it in realistic approach
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Aninda, Singapore | Sun, 15/08/2010 - 17:08pm
A little more history... The so called "plebiscite" was suposed to be administered in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir as well. And as Raj Kumar mentions, portions of POK have been gifted away to the Chinese for connecting roads b/w Tibet & Xinjiang, and, in the rest, the Pakistanis have refused to vacate POK for a plebiscite to be efectively held.
In the absence of a "statud quo ante" which means the *conditions prevailing before* the Pakistanis moved in on POK, before the gifts of Kashmiri territory to the Chinese, and before the accession of the unoccupied areas of Kashmir with India, a plebiscite has never been feasible. As such, there is no legal or internaitonal obligation on India to hold one as it is a geo-political impossibility.
Subsequently, after the 1971 defeat of Pakistan in the Bangladesh war --where Pakistani forces and allied mercenaries killed 3,000,000 Bangladeshis in less than one year...hint, hint: much more brutal than 60,000 to 80,000 dead in Kashmir in 20 yrs timespan-- Pakistan agreed to settle the Kahsmir issue bilterally with India and without any further reference to UN resolutions on Kashmir that were in effect obsolete and impractical.
So all the Pakistani screaming and yelling about the plebiscite, plebiscite, plebiscite is irrelevant and irrational. So is Laura Schuurmans misguided and one-sided assertion that India somehow didn't play by (as Zaki would say) the "rules of partition."
This is not Indian propaganda. This is geopoltical reality grounded in international treaties and on the ground developments.
So to hear my Pakistani friends yell and holler about Freeeeddddommmm is like watching Mel Gibson in Braveheart yell the same thing for medieval Scotland. Very distracting and even moving, but, ultimately immaterial if not amusing.
But then I suppose this sort of unreasonability from Pakistanis is to be expected. Afterall we're talking about a country whose main export, regrettably, is terrorism and its main import, unfortunately, is external assistance!
For those civil society Indonesians who are committed to "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika", I think you know what India stands for and is committed to. I just wish your leading newspapers like Jakarta Post provided a more balanced coverage of the underlying issues.
Thanks for reading.
Cheers,
Aninda.
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Raj Kumar.Meena, Mumbai | Sun, 15/08/2010 - 15:08pm
Hi, Zaki thanks for comments. but i am a bit disappointed by your analysis and passing sweeping judgement, it reminds me of Karl Marx who had taken selectively those historical facts which justify his stands on various theortical aspects of Marxism(as sugested by some writers). First i will let everybody know certain facts regarding Kashmir dispute.
Autonomy: As per the UN resolution, a referendum(plebiscite) should take place in kashmir involving the entire people of undivided Kashmir of 1947 i.e; POK ,Askai Chin and Kashmir,India.It is a open secret that Pakistan has gifted a portion of Kashmir to China( Askai Chin), which means that to referendum to take place, all the 3 parts of Kashmir should be involved .Buddy just ask China abt this, u will know the reality.You will be banned even expressing yourself just like wht they have done to google in china.So, just don't talk as there is no democracy in China.
2. Jammu Part Of Kashmir is predominantly Hindu& Sikh dominated, Ladhak Part is Buddhist and Kashmir is Muslim. This is a fact and entire world should know that Kashmir is a multi-religious state as stated above.
3. We love democracy and secularism and we have given this world the gospel of non-violence,
we have invited the hurriyat to join democracy by contesting election,which is a symbol of vibrant democracy, PDP had formed govt. earlier in Jammu& kashmir. This year CIvil Services Topper of the country , the most prestigious services of the country,is a muslim young boy from Kashmir, speaks functioning of vibrant democracy in India.
4. Argue for the sake of arguement should not be the way of presenting facts. Support arguements with facts with absolute objectivity and zero subjectivity and let the world decide who is right and wrong.lets readers decide.
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Aninda, Singapore | Sun, 15/08/2010 - 15:08pm
@Zki. guess what Zaki, there are several poorer, even more blighted states that Jammu and Kashmir. Bihar, Orissa, Jharkand come to mind. So should all these states become independent? On the basis of such an argument, Baluchistan shoud also be independent. Why not give the Baluchis the right to determine their future? Is the usurpation from the Khan of Kalat legitimate?
What "rules of partition" are you talking about? Who the hell are you or any other Paksitani to enforce such "rules?" Are you referring to the rules that resulted in the killing of 3 million Bangladeshis? No, your mindset reflects an ardent desire to break India, see it cut and bleeding, disunited more than your desire for genuine, practical solution to the problems of the Kashmiris (and Baluchis, Sindhis, and so on).
As long you as you hate your enemy more than you love your children, this is a conflict you are destined to lose!!
Now go immediately and start contributing some money to your cholera stricken compatriots who literally trying to stay high and dry.
Peace,
Aninda
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zaki, London | Sun, 15/08/2010 - 13:08pm
Raj Kumar is a typical reflection of a brain-washed Indian patriot who thinks that there is only 1 side to a story. Let's see his ignorance in action:
>> I will add that root cause of heavy depolyment of indian armed forces in Kashmir is inflitration of terrorist groups from Pakistan
This is a misnomer because the armed resistance against Indian occupation started long after all avenues for a peaceful settlement were shunned by New Delhi. India simply could not afford to abide by UN resolutions seeking a plebiscite because they new the result would mean J&K acceding to Pakistan or at the very least becoming an independent state. India pre-empted any legitimate struggle for self-determination bu flooding J&K with over half million terror troops to subjugate 80% of the population (which is Muslim) under its iron-fist terror rule.
By the rules of partition of 1947, J&K would have automatically become part of Pakistan had it not been for the blackmail of its Hindu maharaja who had no right to speak on behalf of the majority of its Muslim populace.
>> Kashmir has seen development in terms of opening school, hospital, colleges, tourism is growing,
Are smoking hashish again? The limited development in the region is nothing to do with Indian efforts, rather they are the result of the small efforts by its residents. There is very limited government directive for development because it knows that there is no real incentive to plough money into the region when problems can flare again at any moment (as they have just begun with the killings of tens of peaceful protesters by the blood-thirsty Indian terror occupation forces).
Tourism is stagnant and contributes not more than 10%-15% of today's J&K economy.
By blaming the victims for their right to protest, you have shown that India is neither a democracy nor a secular state.
As long as the majority of Kashmiris do not get their right to decide their future, you have no one to blame except New Delhi for all its crimes against humanity and its continues suppression of the Muslims in the state. Resistance is a natural outcome of oppression, we have seen this in many parts of the world including Palestine. India needs to understand that their massacre and genocide of the Muslims in Kashmir will not go unanswered.
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Raj Kumar.Meena, Mumbai | Sun, 15/08/2010 - 11:08am
This article is by and large well written, bringing the entire debate in a perspective. I will add that root cause of heavy depolyment of indian armed forces in Kashmir is inflitration of terrorist groups from Pakistan( Kargil war is fought b/w india and Pakistan bcoz pakistan wanted to occupy unguarded portion of indian kasmir in winter, reinforce the believe of india that as long as Pakistan mend its way and give up its illegitimate claim on kashmir,heavy forces presence in Kashmir is a must.Kashmir has seen development in terms of opening school, hospital, colleges, tourism is growing, Jammu and Ladakh is as peaceful as any other part of India. I do agree there are some human right issues involved there, but one can see this phenomenon any other part of the world, where there is armed forces operating. Media is free here to report, there is debate on very issue of kashmir.All this is not true of Pakistan occuiped kashmir.
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Aninda, Singapore | Sun, 15/08/2010 - 08:08am
@Arshad. So by threatening India with "Taliban is coming" ...you're publicly admitting that Pakistan and Taliban are one and the same? If so, Indians are absolutely right in labeling Pakistani inspired Kashmiri separatism an utterly terrorist movement that deserves absolutely no international sympathy! So Laura's article here on Jakartapost stands totally refuted or highly sympathetic of a terrorist movement. I ask all Indonesians, is that a position you would like a major newspaper like JP to take?
OTOH, Arshad, if you are considering retracting your statement, then perhaps you ought to worry a bit more about Taliban taking over Pakistan.
Don't worry about sooooo much about maoists and "other minorites", I suggest you worry about your own Baluchis, Sindhis, Mohajirs, and other crazies like TTP, PeT, SipahSahaba, LashkarJhangvi. Etc., etc. I doubt if India or any country needs lessons in democracy or humaneness from Pakistan, a country so blessed with bestial terrorists and a government that is addicted to external assistance like a heroin junkie.
And, of course India will let Kashmiris choose the future. And it'll be through constitutionally guaranteed democratic rights. Its just that secession is not a democratic right. So don't lose any sleep over it.
Cheers,
Aninda
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Arshad, Dubai | Sun, 15/08/2010 - 01:08am
A thug state like india is soon gonna see more partition when there maoists and other minorities gonna shake there abusive security forces.Beaware of that upcoming time when these western powers fail in Afghanistan then these taliban'll more concentrate on u bolloywod centric country. India can all stop this only by acting realisticly and granting kashmiris the right to choose there future.No matter how hard u try to press..If a superpower can be defeated then india is 100 years aways from becoming that..think abt it
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muradali_shaikh, U.K. | Sat, 14/08/2010 - 18:08pm
As-salaam alaikom –Ramadan mubarak.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_serial_stabbings;_ylt=AuJcoYdmGw6hDzvtikXN80Ws0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTJwbjQzbXZwBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwODEyL3VzX3NlcmlhbF9zdGFiYmluZ3MEY3BvcwMxMARwb3MDNwRzZWMDeW5faGVhZGxpbmVfbGlzdARzbGsDc3RhYmJpbmdzcHJl
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone from Qtel
--
Nadrat Siddique
email: siddiqu1@umbc.edu
I believe in life.
And i have seen the death parade march through the torso of the earth, sculpting mud bodies in its path. I have seen the destruction of the daylight, and seen bloodthirsty maggots
prayed to and saluted.
I have been locked by the lawless.
Handcuffed by the haters.
Gagged by the greedy.
And, if i know any thing at all,
it's that a wall is just a wall
and nothing more at all.
It can be broken down.
-from "Affirmation," by Assata Shakur
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Aninda, Singapore | Sat, 14/08/2010 - 18:08pm
Hah... this thread is turning into shouting and abuse. Separatist Kashmiris and their Pakistani backers cannot even frame a coherent response on this forum. And with such incoherent, inarticulate internet responses as these, the separatist case is well and truly doomed.
Look fellas...you do not score points or get a shred of sympathy by shouting and hurling abuse and mere slogans, and repeating lies such "india didn't sign an instrument of accession." This kind of insensible trash talk is about as nonsensical as Ahmedinejaad saying the holocaust never happened! As it is, internationally, your case is slowly slipping away as the world has woken up to the damaging role played by Pakistan in Kashmir in the last 20 years. The least you can do to try and salvage the future for Kashmir is to not mouth off paranoid rubbish. Come on... you owe it to Kashmir.
I offer all reasonable Kashmiris my sincere sympathies. For the unreasonable... you will be opposed, and hunted and if need be exterminated.
In its reasonableness, where applicable, as well as in maintaining its territorial integrity India will be unrelenting. That is guaranteed. And this is a fundamental reality you should never forget. All this trash talk about naxalites, sikhs, israeli links, yada, yada, yada, is a mere distraction from the fact that at the end of the day India has Kashmir. Period. And thats the way its going to be. Cheers (try to stop sulking so much! seriously, its not sooo bad).
Aninda
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zaki, London | Sat, 14/08/2010 - 11:08am
Indian state terror apparatus are quickly learning how to murder and kill innocent people and get away with it. They have been following the "Israeli terror model" well. The union of the Israeli/Indian state terrorism and genocide in their respective areas of dispute is a well-known fact; both have strong military and political ties; both conduct regular training military training as well as an "exchange programme" where they both learn the art of killing and subduing a whole population under its illegal occupation.
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Voting Allowed, Freedom Land | Fri, 13/08/2010 - 21:08pm
In a democracy, people are allowed to vote for what they want.
India refuses to allow Illegally Occupied Kashmir to vote for Independence. That is not democratic. It also goes AGAINST the alleged "Letter of Accension", which sitipulates a "Vote on Independence" in Kashmir.
Also, there really is NO "Letter of Accension". India has NEVER produced the original document.
India is AFRAID that Kashmir will want freedom.
If India is that great a country, why is it scared?
Freedom for Kashmir.
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Indians Are Idiots, Global, baby! | Fri, 13/08/2010 - 21:08pm
Blah, blah, blah!
India obey the UN Resolutions.
There are NO United Nations Resolutions against Pakistan or China. Pakistan is willing to hold a vote - India refuses.
India wants to have a UN Security Council seat but does not want to obey UN Resolutions.
Hypocrites!
Freedom for Kashmir!
Indians can say whatever, but Kashmir will financially drain India forever, just like Afghanistan finished the Soviet Union.
Fight Naxals! Fight Kashmir!
India is a fanatasy made up by the British in 1947 - it never existed before that.
All of India's greatest accomplishments are due to Muslims, like the Taj Mahal. Hindus are only known for their caste system.
India has more troops in Kashmir than the entire Pakistani military. Democracy does not need a gun.
Freedom for Kashmir.
AZADI.
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Peacelover, Jakarta | Fri, 13/08/2010 - 17:08pm
It looks like the Indians always start insulting others when they get criticised. It is a sign of weakness. The Kashmiris deserve freedom and a referendum promised by the United Nations.
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indian, india | Fri, 13/08/2010 - 14:08pm
We do not gain anything by throwing mud on each other.
I tried to talk logical in my earlier posts, expecting that someone will respond in an objective way.
Unfortunately Not a single Kashmir sympathizer has come up with any rational response.
Is there any rational thinking reader to answer my questions.
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Aninda, Singapore | Fri, 13/08/2010 - 14:08pm
@Bunny. You are truly funny. Every narrative we get from your likes is about Muslim suffering at the hands of non-muslims. Why don;t you first try to resolve the issues of Baluchis. Their homeland was stolen from them the Khan of Kalat brazenly and here you have nincompoops jumping up and down shouting Azadi, Azadi. Kashmir is special. Mark my words, Baluchistan is also special. so is Irian Jaya. so is Aceh. Is the Timor Leste solution not applicable to these places as well? If you answer is a straight no then you my accusation about your lack of onjectivity, lack of rstraint and obsession with hating others is justified. If your answer is yes, Pakistanis and Indonesians whould also look into their hearts and examine lessons of Timor Leste for long-term resolution of conflicts in Baluchistan, Papua in equal measure as the author is sugesting is the case for Jammu & Kashmir then that is a balanced position to take. My criticism is the author's lack of balance and context makes the article a sick joke, and all the pro-Pakistani Azadi-yellers are sicker clowns.
And all the mumbo jumbo about religious extremism bing a universal problem is poppy crap. Why don't you try walking around Pesahwar or Swat preaching peace and religious moderation. I can guarantee you if you did the same thing anywhere in India or for that matter in Indonesia, you wouldn't be instantly blown up, or beheaded, or riddled with bullets. So don't dish out this nonsense about ...boooo hoooo... all religious extremists are same, same. Som especially of the Pakistani kind are just deadlier. And the mass casualties in Bangladesh and Afghanistan is empirical proff of this. The dead of Kashmir is like a picnic in the park compared to the holocaust you and your sympathizers have inflicted in South Asia.
Aninda.
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venkatesh, pekanbaru | Fri, 13/08/2010 - 13:08pm
Think Balochistan, Ugiur Muslims of China, Acchai Muslims of Indonesia, South Thailand, Philipinnes, etc-where is no fight. India is blamed on Hindu but why killing of Shias and Mohajirs in Pakistan.
It is Business. Gilani of Kashmir is working for ISI and paid to create trouble. Pak is begging for flood relief but spend what it gets to destabilise India. Bunny-pl note-Maoist problem and problem at the north east is created by Church as was done by the Church to break Berlin wall
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BUNNY, SINGAPORE | Fri, 13/08/2010 - 13:08pm
It is for men and women like Mukesh and Aninda. Please think before u speak. The fire in your lungs is definitely because india is a nuclear power and blaming it on others is the strategy your india has always adopted. when you talk of restraint,then you have to match it by the words that you express. you have been a ball of fire in your comment,aninda.either you are going through extreme stress or you symbolise the typical hindu aggressive attitude. whatever be the case,your expression is not intimidating enough to be replied in the same coins. the real issue is that when the indian army killed innocent teenager kids in the streets of srinagar,were u present there? why were they killed? did u meet their mothers and sisters? how would you feel if your son or a younger brother is killed for no reason while he was going to his school or college in the morning. the issue is of human rights, which you and i and all humans in the world should enjoy in a similar manner. there can not be two sets of rules for two different religions. and with those who blame it on muslims,let me tell you that all kill in the name of religion.there is no exception. its easy to make rules and exceptions for others but when the same is applied to u, the answers are different. lets talk of peace. the world has seen enough bloodshed in the name of religions.lets put an end to it by giving the right of self determination to the people of kashmir.
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indian, india | Fri, 13/08/2010 - 12:08pm
Dear Kashmir Sympathizers,
If you want independence, please give a thought to the questions I mentioned in my earlier post.
Just emotional statements will not lead you anywhere.
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alex, bombay | Fri, 13/08/2010 - 12:08pm
this is the real problem that we the indians can see the world with objectivity...we are such a big country but we always behave in a small manner.please analyse this and someone should give me an answer...why isi is a household name in india? because we made it big to portray a threat to the world...why have we fought with china in 1962, with pakistan in 1965,1971,1998 and still continue...just to assert ourselves and lost focus onthe develpment of more than 300 million poor people...why do we interfere in tibet, nepal,srilanks,maldives, afghanistan...after all why? and on top of it all is the naxalite movement and the kashmir freedom movement...how long are we going to accuse others for our failures... our army officers are engaged in blasting the trains, our religious leaders are preaching hatred and christian are bein burnt alive... i am a christian myself and i know how we have been treated in orissa and othe parts of india, we have been burnt alive.lets look inwards you hawkish hindus and let other religions live in peace.
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Asi, New York | Fri, 13/08/2010 - 11:08am
the writer is absolutely right and i could'nt agree more with her that commercial interests must not override the interests of human rights. sustainability of relations between nations depend on respect for the human values and dignity.today's commercial interests may become tomorrow's clash of interest between the same two countries. but if the relations are sure footed and based on eternal principles, these become unshakable.we must also see that capitalism is badly effected and and the world is soon to see the rise of a new financial system..in that system, will it be the commercial interests or the interests of humanity, we have to wait and see. i commend the writer for a very thought provoking article.
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Muhammad, Islamabad | Fri, 13/08/2010 - 11:08am
Pakistan should rally rejoin the peace process. The Bombay attacks and the Qureshi was a mistake. There are still problems in India, but, the scale and speed with which things are moving in India... very few countries can keep up with it.
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Indian, India | Fri, 13/08/2010 - 11:08am
I spent my childhood in Kashmir. It hurts me to hear the deaths of young men and women on the street. I will be happy if Kashmiris can live a peaceful life within india or as an independent country.
If you are fighting for the independence of Kashmir from India, Pakistan and China, you should have an answer to the following.
1. Do you have any idea how difficult this task is to fight with the three nuclear powers. USA, Russia and all other rich countries want to have good relation with these economic powers. Who will listen to you?
2. 2. Do you have a leader who has your interest in his heart. Theoretically you can say every young man on the street of Srinagar is a leader. Do you think you can win this fight without a sound leadership? A football team needs a captain even for a game on 90 minutes duration. Your fight may take another 50 years. If you think you can get independence under the leadership of Pakistani puppets, Good luck to you.
3. What is you short term and long term plan? A football team cannot win a 90 minutes match without a tailor-made strategy for the match. You dream to get independence from the world powers without having a roadmap?
Without the answer to the above, all the deaths until now were of no use.
So leave behind the emotions. Think about the above and then start a fight.
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mukesh, Hindustan | Fri, 13/08/2010 - 11:08am
Maybe AJAY prefer be run over by a tank in Tianamen Square, imprisoned or killed like the Buddhist Tibetans or Muslim Xinjiang Province ..Taken by CIA to Guantanamo..Or Interrogated by Singapore ISD..Or Iran Internal Security.... India is not the only country on the PLANET with Problems..... At least it is a Democracy albeit with problems like everybody else.... At least we can admit..
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Aninda, Singapore | Fri, 13/08/2010 - 11:08am
@Azadi,
What a bunch of crock you have posted. 80,000 dead ! hah ... its less than half that level in the last two decades; and even that is attributable to the rabid, foaming at the mouth, brainwashed, 72 virgin loving, long bearded, bestial jihadis who have brutally killed locals as well as the Hindu minority. How come Laura Schuurmans has not a single word for their travails. Does she expect India to just rollover and die??!! Shame on Jakarta Post for providing such space to terrorist symathizers. A major Indonesian publication is playing with fire. I hope the Indian Embassy and all sane minded Indonesians who want to restrain JI type of elements, within their civil society, are taking note of this unbalanced and highly provocative coverage.
@Azadi, If you're heart is bleeding for dead Kashmiris and you're just waiting to jump into the beds of your bloodthirsty Pakistani brothers who have the deaths of 3 million Bangladeshis on their hands and untold numbers of dead Afghans, then I can only say your designs will be opposed measure for measure. And that is guaranteed.
Do not mistake India's restraint for weakness. When India's patience finally runs out Pakistan and its sympathizers, ncluding Laura (& I daresay any misguided Indonesians) had better watch out.
India has its share of dificulties, but, it tries to resolve them within a reasonable but firm framework that has worked for many local issues. It is not India but Pakistan which is tottering dangerously. A few additional shocks can really send this contry splintering which certainly will require Laura Schuurman's Timor Leste type solutions in many parts of Pakistan. But, India remains restrained. Its citizens and its government have gone on record wishing Pakistan stability and prosperity. But there is nothing India can do if Pakistanis and their Kashmiri underlings insist on hating India more than they love their own country and their own future. As long as this attitude persists, Kashmir will remain unstable -which is why India needs a lot of troops there- or Pakistan will literally go up in flames or drown in its own blood. Good day.
Aninda
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kashmiri for freedom, kashmir | Fri, 13/08/2010 - 11:08am
WE KASHMIRIS DONT WANT TO LIVE IN OCCUPIED KASHMIR.AFTER MORE THAN 60 YEARS WE ARE STILL WAITING FOR THE PLEBISCITE THAT THE UNITED NATIONS PROMISED US. WE WANT FREEDOM
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AJAY, NEW DELHI | Fri, 13/08/2010 - 11:08am
WOW...THE BIGGEST DEMOCRACY OF THE WORLD HAS MORE THAN 300 MILLION PEOPLE LIVING BELOW POVERTY LINE...MORE THAN 200 DISTRICTS ARE CONTROLLED BY THE NAXALITES AND THEIR SUPPORT IS EVEN GROWING FURTHER, 700000 TROOPS IN KASHMIR TO KILL THE INNOCENT BOYS AND GIRLS...WHAT IS THIS TYPE OF DEMOCRACY? WE ,THE BELIEVERS IN HUMAN RIGHTS, FEEL ASHAMED OF OURSEVES WHEN WE TALK TO THE FOREIGNERS AND THEY QUESTION OUR STATE TERRORISM...
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mukesh, Hindustan | Fri, 13/08/2010 - 11:08am
There are too many Muslims with anger against Hindu, Christian, Buddhist, USA, India, Russia, Philippines, Thailand, Europe, Jews, Israel, Ahmadiya Muslims, Shia Muslims, Sufis, Pigs, Dogs, Internet Freedom, Adultery, Gay etc etc.....the list continues..
GUESS WHERE THE PROBLEM IS ...
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ZARA, JAMMU | Fri, 13/08/2010 - 11:08am
its not about politics, its about human rights and dignity. we dont want to have the indian passports.india should leave kashmir just now and let us live in peace.
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Indian, India | Fri, 13/08/2010 - 10:08am
Dear AZADI and other readers not happy with India,
Let us talk without being emotional.
If you want an Independent Kashmir then your leaders should ask for the Independence clearly from India, Pakistan and China. Then it is not the fight with India only.
Has Pakistan and China already liberated the occupied parts of Kashmir? Do you think Pakistan and China will give you their occupied territories served on a plate? Believe me, they will be much worse to fight with.
The problem is that your leaders want to join Indian part of Kashmir with Pakistan as they are Pakistan’s agents. If they want independence, why do they call to celebrate Pakistan’s Independence Day on 14 August in Indian part of Kashmir.
My friend, if you need independence from three nuclear powered countries, then find good leaders who have your interest in their mind. Leaders like Gandhi, Mandela or Sheikh Mujib of Bangladesh. Do you have a leader of such standing? What is your roadmap to independence?
These Pakistani puppets will do no good to you.
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Freedom for Kashmir, Dubai | Fri, 13/08/2010 - 10:08am
There are no protests in Azad Kashmir. The Pakistani military does not need to deploy 800,000 troops to oppress the citizens of Azad Kashmir.
People in Azad Kashmir can use their cell phones, listen to news reports, have access to newspapers published daily.
Women in Azad Kashmir can walk down the street without being raped. Children can go to school without fear of being killed.
However, in the ILLEGALLY OCCUPIED part of Kashmir that is being oppressed by India - women are raped, children are killed, media is restricted, there is constant curfews, people protest against India.
India has a higher troop ratio in Indian oppressed Kashmir, than the US has in Iraq. Wow.
Not one person in Azad Kashmir wants to join corrupt India.
India is not welcome in Kashmir.
Freedom for Kashmir.
Azadi.
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Indians are murdering Kashmiri children, New Delhi | Fri, 13/08/2010 - 10:08am
"Ultimately - I say this with all deference to this Parliament - the decision will be made in the hearts and minds of the men and women of Kashmir; neither in this Parliament, nor in the United Nations nor by anybody else."
Jawaharlal Nehru, Prime Minister of India, addressing the Indian Parliament on August 7, 1952
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Kashmir is not part of India or Jammu, London | Fri, 13/08/2010 - 10:08am
Complete independence for Kashmir from India is the ONLY solution that is acceptable to Kashmir.

This issue is not about Jammu & Kashmir. This is about Kashmir.
Jammu District is only 1,195 sq miles out of 85,806 of total Kashmir land or 1.39% of Kashmir.
Pakistan controls around 30,032 sq miles of Kashmir. China controls about 16,303 sq miles of Kashmir. India controls 39,471 sq miles of Kashmir.
So India can keep the original part of Jammu and leave the rest of Kashmir alone. Kashmir has been associated with puny little Jammu starting only in 1846. In previous 5,000 years, the geographical area of Kashmir was quite distinct and separate from Jammu or India.
India, keep Jammu District. Withdraw from Kashmir.
Freedom for Kashmir.
Azadi.
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Nehru is a Liar, Kashmir | Fri, 13/08/2010 - 10:08am
“If after a proper plebiscite the people of Kashmir said we do not want to live with India, we are committed to accept this. We will not send an army against them. We will change the Constitution if necessary”.
- Prime Minister Nehru of India on June 26, 1952
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Hindu Hypocrites, USA | Fri, 13/08/2010 - 10:08am
The Indians are the ones who referred the issue to the UN in 1947, believing that the United Nations would agree to India’s ILLEGAL OCCUPATION of Kashmir, however the United Nations agreed that Kashmir has the “Right to Self Determination”.
For 63 years India has defied the international community and the UN Resolutions, it is time to place India under international economic, financial, cultural, transportation, military and athletic sanctions for India’s genocide in Kashmir.
14 million Kashmiris want complete independence from India, Pakistan and China. Kashmir wants all of its territory restored and all 3 countries to vacate Kashmir’s land.
The struggle for Freedom will continue until India is a financially bankrupt regime. India is already morally bankrupt. The original Indian terrorist was a Hindu, Gandhi’s assassin. The biggest Indian terrorist is a Hindu officer in the Indian Army, Lt. Col Purohit - responsible for the Malegoan bombings, Sumjhota Express bombing, the Pune cafe bombing and Hindu terrorists were also responsible for the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
Hindu India is killing Muslims in Kashmir and Christians in Orissa. India is not a “secular nation”. Just read any Indian newspaper, its is filled with racist comments written by Hindus about killing Muslims, Christians, Buddhists and making “India into a Hindu Superpower”.
The Indian Army rapes Kashmiri girls and kills innocent infants in Kashmir. India is committing Crimes Against Humanity in Kashmir.
Freedom for Kashmir.
AZADI.
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Indian, India | Fri, 13/08/2010 - 10:08am
The writer did not put the complete picture. Let me try it.
Pakistan and India got independence at the same time in 1947. India chose the path of democracy and continued having faith in democracy. Indian leader focused on the improving the lives of Indians. After 60 years India has started seeing the economic and political benefits of a democratic system.
Pakistan unfortunately was hijacked by military dictators. These dictators chose the path of extremism and hate-India policy just to remain in power. They allowed USA to use and abuse Pakistani people to fight USA’s war in Afghanistan. These Pakistani dictators imposed two wars on India but lost badly. Current policy of Pakistan for last two decades is to create trouble in India through extremism in Kashmir and other parts of India.
Those creating trouble in Kashmir are clearly Pakistani agents. They will celebrate Pakistan’s Independence Day on 14 August but will oppose India’s Independence Day celebrations the next day. The resistance to India is in only by 5% of misled Kashmiris concentrated in 25% Kashmir area. 75% of KAshmir has no problem. These Pakistan supported extremists dream to separate Kashmir from India and join with Pakistan. Will anyone in his senses like to do that? If Pakistan was such a great country to live in, 160 million Bangladeshi Muslims would not have kicked out Pakistani army from their soil in 1971.
As for situation of Muslims and other minorities in India, I shall put some facts here. The most powerful political person in India today is a catholic woman; the most powerful administrative (Prime Minister) position is held by another minority (a sikh) man; the most worshiped movie stars are Muslim men; the most respected last-President was a Muslim. India has more Muslims than any other country, except Indonesia. As citizens of a democratic country they enjoy much better life than those in many other countries. There are poor people in India including Muslims and non-Muslims. The beauty of democracy is the confidence that things will improve though slowly. Every Indian citizen had that confidence.
Indonesia has chosen the path of democracy in last decade as India did 60 years back. Indonesia if facing similar problems now as India faced during its early decades. Indonesians are the one of the most open minded and hard working population in the world. If Indonesians continue their faith in democracy, I foresee a great future for them. Indonesia can capture some lessons from the achievements of India.
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iqbal, jakarta | Fri, 13/08/2010 - 07:08am
The movie slumdog millionaire shows that India is a fake democracy where Muslims dont receive equal treatment. India even struggles feeding their people. India has so many internal problems which is the reason they cant become a global power. India always blames Pakistan because they dont want to blame themselves.
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mukesh, Wellington New Zealand | Fri, 13/08/2010 - 04:08am
Indonesia commercial interest in Papua should be the focus ! Oligarch commercial interest (eg Bakrie, Sampoerna, Tommy Winata etc) versus Indonesian public interest should be the focus... Don't take sides on issues in other countries when you have more "dirty laundry" at home....Clean your BIGGER mess at home before submitting unintelligent reports on other countries....
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human, USA | Fri, 13/08/2010 - 02:08am
The author is nothing more than scumbag. Who is in ISI payroll or just plain idiot.
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HonestReader, NE | Fri, 13/08/2010 - 00:08am
I dont why I feel this as one sided view..why this is happening in Kashmir after 1989.who was behind it. How come kashmir was calm in 1947-89.May be because author is associated with Institute of Regional Studies in Islamabad.
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Aninda, singapore | Thu, 12/08/2010 - 23:08pm
@Faheem,
Last I checked many more people are dying from internal terror attacks in Pakistan than any so called secessionist movements in India. You are either living in a different time-space warp to believe that Sikhs are out for a seperate state, or have lost your mind. PM Singh is a sikh BTW and well respected by his community as well as all Indians and many Pakistanis. As for the the other secessionist movements, they are no more or no less threatening that Uighurs, Basques, IRA, so what's your point??
@Laura, the Kashmir problem has been infinitely worsened by a rabid and violent call to Jihad for a long, long time in a manner which your articles simply do not provide balanced coverage of. For this, shame on Jakartapost. The most recent outburst is perhaps a spontaneous outburst of frustration, but, the Indian constitution offers a way out to deal with all local aspirations. If it is good for 1.1 billion people from all over India, it is definitely worthwhile for the handful of Kashmiris whose rage has got the better of their senses. Once again, Laura with her vitriolic , one-sided, unbalanced comments is the one pouring flame on the fires of disinformation and misinformation that pervades throughout this region, and I'm sorry to say that this process is egged on by such newspapers like Jakartapost who are the custodians of public opinion in a country which itself has a questionable track record of respect for human rights, and tolerance for religious fundamentalism.
Aninda
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Faheem, Karachi | Thu, 12/08/2010 - 18:08pm
Presently 123 Independence movement in India are struggling for their rights of self determinations. Apart from these movements in there are sort of on going struggles for social and economic justice. In fact stability in India would be a dream. It would also be pose serious threat to India stability.The Independent movements of India can broadly be divided into two types` i.e. national movements: of Kashmir, Maoist, Tamils, Assam, Sikhs and Nafaland and movements for social or economic justice which are runing all most throughout the country. However the most serious internal threat to India national security is Sikhs, Kashmir and Maoist movements.
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Paco, Madrid, Spain | Thu, 12/08/2010 - 16:08pm
Dear Ms Schuurmans,
With very much interest I was reading your article about the Kashmir dispute. I have no interests in Kashmir, India or Pakistan whatsoever, but I like peace and history is my hobby. My compliments, it is rare that somebody is trying to trace events from the far past and makes an attempt to find the causes of current conflicts.
I observe that India is a potential super power thanks to the conquests of the British and that Pakistan in comparison to India is small. (wasn't it Lord Mountbatten who decided the partition between the two countries?).
With this in mind India's mere size and potential can arouse a feeling of being endangered with a much smaller neighbor. Certainly when there already is a mutual experience of conflicts and violence whoever started it.
For a super power the only answer is patience and restraint instead of putting oil on the fire. If not it will result in more violence and high expenses that could delay economic development.
Yes India and Pakistan have nuclear weapons and China as well, let us pray that they will never use it against each other or anybody else, for it will destroy such a beautiful part of the world and so many nice people.
Paco
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timmi, Jakarta | Thu, 12/08/2010 - 16:08pm
Once again a good article by Laura. I cannot agree more that Kashmir issue must be resolved for piece in the sub-continent.The Indian state with its full might and huge army is busy terrorizing and killing the Kashmiri people. It is common Kashmiris who are being killed on the streets. It is laughable that Pakistan is persuading us Kasmiris to die on streets at the hands of baraberic Indian Army.Such attitude is insulting to Kashmiris.The killing of Kashmiris must stop the world must see they get their due right.
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Andyboy, Singapore | Thu, 12/08/2010 - 12:08pm
In addition to the mistake pointed by Abraham over events in October 1947, there are several other errors –
1962 China war was fought over Arunachal Pradesh in east, not over part of undivided ashmir (Aksai Chin). Aksai Chin was conceded to China by Pakistan to connect Pakistan to China.
Over one-third of undivided Kashmir is held by Pakistan, 1971 war was fought over Bangladesh (earlier East Pakistan), not over Kashmir
The article completely avoids Pakistan state-backed insurgency in Indian Kashmir which started in 1989, something even Pakistan freely admits Pakistan is not a "victim" of the Afganistan situation, but the very creator and backer of the Taliban, some sections of which now believe they can control all of Pakistan.
The author is supposedly a writer of academic papers on South Asia. If this is the level of ignorance on some basic facts of South Asian history one can easily guess the pathetic quality of her papers
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Abraham, Australia | Thu, 12/08/2010 - 10:08am
Sorry for the spelling mistake. It is Pakisthan.
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Abraham, Australia | Thu, 12/08/2010 - 10:08am
Please verify the information before you give it to the newspaper. The 1947-48 accesion of Kashmir to India was due to the Pakisthani attack on Kashmir. And not the other way around. And there was no problem with the people of Kashmir until 1989 when Taliban, with the help of Pakithan started causing trouble. The problem with Pakisthan is that the aid money they were given by the US went to the terrorist and the upper class rather than being used for the people and to fight terrorist, until recently. And Pakisthan has to be blamed for the Kashmir self determination issue as it was not ready to cede the Pak occupied Kashmir to India according to the UN resolution for a plebiscite to be held. The killings by Indian forces are due to the violent protests due to a mere 90 acre land transfer. Please include that too.
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