Solution is only possible if a sizable minority of Indians gives importance to the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
AMANZIMTOTI, SOUTH AFRICA: This is with reference to your editorial titled “Kashmir conundrum” (February 21). My two older sisters were married to Kashmiris and they migrated to Pakistan in 1947 crossing the Jammu border. Since my childhood, therefore, I have always felt that Kashmiris must get their freedom. After so many years of waiting, my hopes have turned to pessimism and knowing well how India plays it cards so cleverly, I see no hope of any settlement which will satisfy the wishes of Kashmiris.
The solution is only possible if a sizable minority of Indians gives importance to the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. But they do not. I have met many liberal Indians and have not met a single person who thinks about the wishes of the Kashmiris. According to them, it is always Pakistanis who cross the border to create ‘trouble’ in Kashmir, never mind the genuine feelings of deprivation that Kashmiris may already have. With terrorism in the world on the rise, India has used this angst to convince the world that Kashmiris are better off with it for the sake of world peace. The world seems to agree with India. I am not optimistic that the Kashmir issue will be resolved, at least not in the near future.
Sharif Lone
Published in The Express Tribune, February 23rd, 2014.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
