Two thirds in Kashmir want independence: poll

[Ruzaan]

Re: Two thirds in Kashmir want independence: poll

@Tasavur

Even though I readily admitted that India considers Kashmir its internal issue, I also declared that that particular position is irrelevant; India is not an isolationist nation which blindly disregards all other nations and does what it wants; as I said before, India is a willing member of that global organisation (the UN) which regards the question of Kashmir as an unsettled, internationally recognised dispute. Which is why it cannot carry through with the suggestion of the Indian member who wrote the following on this very thread: "they should just bring Kashmir into mainstream India, [and] remove all the special clauses…"

This would be, as I am sure you would agree, illegal according to international law. As for the UN resolutions, they are *non-binding *but specifically lay out terms of a cease-fire, withdrawal of troops and a free and democratic plebiscite under the auspice of the UN.

As for Pakistan ceding the Trans-Korakoram Tract to China, this was a good-will gesture to our Chinese friends and is by no means an illegal action because it is not a permanent solution. The ultimate status of this piece of land will be settled subject to the final answer to the Kashmir question. Regardless, India considers Azad Kashmir, GB as well as the T-K Tract to be her territory, and hence, the issue is - according to her own position - one that surpasses her national borders (ergo, hardly the ‘internal’ issue that your government would decry).

To conclude and with regards to your final sentiments: India’s national security or her considerations with regards to Kashmiris being Indian citizens or not are subjects of supreme irrelevance. India has no locus standi on the issue of that people’s fundamental right of self-determination. You may not admit to that now because of the pitiful blinkers of xenophobia over your eyes and ears, but oppression and tyranny last only so long. I end with this poignant quote from Thomas Jefferson who said in 1785: “Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that his justice cannot sleep forever.”

Tasavur, it is of absoloutely no importance what a group we belong to considers ‘Kashmir’. You belong to the UN too, but do not recognize Israel.

It is absoloutely illegal, iniquitous, brazen and crooked to unilaterally transfer a piece of territory- while it is still under dispute- to a third party, and thereby to make it party to the dispute, no matter what the pretext is - “goodwill gestures” notwithstanding.

The United Nations, that same comity of Nations to whose membership you appeal our good sense, is very clear on this:

United Nations Maintenance Page

This will provide you a beginning guide to UN resolutions on the nature of territorial dispute:

Taylor & Francis - Fostering human progress through knowledge

You’re spot on on the part of UN resolutions being “non-binding”. You’re also spot on on the part of the ‘free and fair democratic plebsicite under the auspices of the UN’. What you’ve missed is that a complete and total withdrawal of troops, a cessation of any and all, and every acts of terror, and a complete and total dismantling of terrorist camps and terrorist-training infrastructure on the Pakisthani side- are a necessary precondition for the holding of that plebiscite; conditions which have not been forthcoming from Pakistan in the last 63 years.

The Constitution of India is very clear on what ‘Kashmir’ is to India, and that is an inalienable, integral- yes integral, part of India. Our foreign policy, our domestic policy and our mandate is informed by that.

On the other hand, Pakistan is very clear on what its status is on Kashmir- ‘disputed’: how could it not be, for the legitimacy of its argument is predicated on the ‘self determinacy’ of the people.

The only thing, and I mean the only thing, that will prevent us from removing Article 370- special consideration for the state and territory of Jammu and Kashmir- is consideration for the Kashmiri’s feelings. And the Congress government is very clear about consideration for the Kashmiris feelings.

Besides, I believe, what article TakethatSixer was talking about included- the much hated ASFPA- the Army Special Forces Powers Act- that allows the Army to go on killing with impunity. We are in favour of its removal also, we do not want our citizens living under Army control.

Believe you me, there are no ‘pitiful blinkers of xenophobia’ over my eyes and ears. I consider myself a very liberal person, with friends of diverse kinds and stripes- including hardcore Somalians, latin Americans and fundamentalist Christians. And yes, even ‘Azad’’ Kashmiries. On the other hand, I do notice an egregious blanket of illogic-ism over yours.