More democracy is the solution to Kashmir.
One has to appreciate the clarity of thought and expression of Dr.Anil Athale in his piece on Kashmir ( India Abroad, Aug.13). Kashmir is an artificial entity brought together by the Maharaja. There is very little common between the Muslims of the Valley and the Hindus of Jammu as well as the Buddhists of Ladakh. Even among the Muslims in the Valley there are 20 percent Shias and then there are supporters of the Congress and the National Conference who are not in agreement with the fundamentalists. It was reported some time ago that only 2 percent preferred to be with Pakistan. Can the will of the majority be denied by the stone-pelting urchins, the separatists and the terrorists armed, financed and supported by Pakistan? India has to act decisively without causing collateral damage. All democratic states who believe in the rule of law must support India in this effort including USA.
Jammu and Kashmir joined Indian Union legally as provided for by the Indian Independence Act, and morally, as the merger was supported by all the political parties at the time of the merger – National Conference of Kashmir, Praja Parishad of Jammu and the Ladakh Buddhists Party..
Dr.Athale's idea to engage non-politicized religious leaders and bring to the attention of the people the political and economic situation in Pakistan and the so-called Azad Kashmir is a good one. Pakistan is no friend of Kashmir at all. It has given a part of Azad Kashmir to China and another part has been merged with itself.
Dr.Athale has rightly pointed out the need for decentralization of power to the local level. Jammu and Ladakh divisions should be given autonomy to invite investments from other parts of India which can create jobs and wealth. It is logical to divide the state of Jammu and Kashmir into three parts – Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh, and make them Union Territories for economic and political progress.
( The above letter was sent to India Abroad in response to the article in http://www.indiaabroad-digital.com/indiaabroad/20100813/?pg=22&pm=1&u1=friend#pg22)
August 15,2010.
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