The present conflict between
India and Pakistan revolves around
the territory called Kashmir, which
is located to the north of both
countries . Both India and Pakistan
say Kashmir is a part of their territory.
Kashmir was one of many
princely states in India. Under the Partition Plan in 1947, these states were
free to join either India or Pakistan. The ruler of Kashmir, the Maharaja, was
Hindu while the majority of the population was, and still remains, Muslims.
The Maharaja had three choices - join with India, join with Pakistan or remain
independent. In the end, he agreed to make Kashmir a part of India.
This event is much in
dispute. Pakistan argues that the Maharaja was forced by India to sign over
Kashmir to them while India maintains that this was not the case. Pakistan
also argues that the people of Kashmir (Kashmiris) were never given a chance
to decide their future as the Maharaja never consulted with them . Since
Muslims make up the majority of the population, Pakistan claims that Kashmir
should be a part of Pakistan.
It should be pointed out
that in accepting Kashmir as a part of India, the Governor General of India,
Lord Mountbatten, made it clear that this decision would be made final only
when the people of Kashmir vote in a plebiscite or referendum on the matter.
India accepted this position but has never allowed such referendum to take
place. The United nations passed three resolutions calling for a plebiscite to
be held but India ignored such calls. Many believe that India refuses to hold
a plebiscite for fear that the majority of Kashmiris would vote to join
Pakistan. Since then, India and Pakistan have gone to war twice over Kashmir,
the first in 1947-8, and again in 1965. Over the years, sporadic clashes have
taken place between the two sides.
Following the first war, a
cease-fire was declared and a Line of Control (COL) was drawn separating the
two sides. The LOC left two thirds of Kashmir under Indian control and the
remaining one-third under Pakistani control. The Indian-controlled part of
Kashmir is called Jammu and Kashmir with a population of about 9 million
people. The Pakistani-controlled sector is called Azad or Free Kashmir.
The LOC which divides
Kashmir passes through some very mountainous areas as high as 5000 meters. It
is interesting to note that the conditions in these areas are so extreme that
the bitter cold has taken more lives than the sporadic clashes between Indian
and Pakistani troops.
The present conflict between
