For the oppressed

On the occasion of Kashmir Day, 68 years after the first war was fought over the disputed territory, a resolution seems as distant as ever. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, like all his predecessors, gave a speech calling on India to respect UN resolutions for a plebiscite, but right now that seems like a rote declaration meant more for domestic audiences than India’s ears. Under the leadership of Narendra Modi, who even campaigned in Kashmir on a platform explicitly appealing to its Hindu population, the chances of international mediation are close to nil. India is still maintaining that the Simla Agreement after the 1971 war, forced on Pakistan at gunpoint, only allows for Kashmir to be discussed bilaterally. And under Modi the Muslim population even outside of Kashmir is so brutalised that to expect his government to care about the plight of Kashmiri Muslims is unrealistic. The area remains among the most heavily militarised in the world, giving the lie to India’s claims of secularism and being the largest democracy. India, despite its denials, continues to follow a kill-and-dump policy, imposes regular curfews and makes life miserable for Kashmiris.

We, though, should not feel too morally superior because of Kashmir. We still insist that Kashmir should be part of the country rather than be given an option of independence, which is likely what most Kashmiris would opt for. We should also acknowledge that in the 1980s the legitimate revolt in Kashmir was hijacked and diluted through sending militants across the border, something which has allowed India to claim the uprising has been staged by Pakistan. To this day, Pakistan has maintained that the Kashmir issue needs to be resolved, and for that third-party mediation is acceptable to us. This is something India has not agreed to, insisting solely on bilateral talks on Kashmir and then backing off from them as well. India’s refusal to allow third-party mediation is there perhaps because it knows it doesn’t have a moral leg to stand on. We should continue to press Kashmir’s claim for self-determination at international forums and point out India’s constant human rights abuses. But let’s apply the same principle to ourselves as well. Kashmir Day should also be an occasion to press for the rights of indigenous people everywhere.