Jammu Martyrs Day: Reminder for peaceful resolution of Kashmir dispute

Every year Jammu Martyrs Day is commemorated on November 6 to honour the martyrs of Jammu and remember the atrocities they faced. Besides that, it should also be a reminder of the importance of a peaceful solution to the
Kashmir dispute.

Seventy-five years after the massacre the people of the disputed territory are still deprived of their right to self-determination. The diplomatic path for the resolution of the dispute between Pakistan and India has also been blocked. Indian policies of politically and militarily suppressing the people and demographic trends in the Muslim majority region continue which commenced with the Jammu massacre.

The massacre of thousands of Muslims and the expulsion of tens of thousands from Jammu was a direct result of the denial of the right to self-determination. The Dogra ruler Hari Singh decided to cede Jammu and Kashmir to India against the will of Muslim majority population which had opted for Pakistan. This led to protests and chaos in the region. The Dogra army along with extremist Hindu and Sikh groups aimed to stamp down the Muslim majority and change the demography of the region by either killing or expelling them. Around 237,000 Muslims were massacred — including
20,000 on November 6 — by the state-sponsored forces from October to November 1947.

However, these figures have been long contested. As a result of the massacres and expulsions, the 60% Muslim majority population was effectively converted into a minority of 33% in Jammu.

The policy of depriving the people of their right to self-determination and altering demographic change in the Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir continues till date. Throughout the years of occupation, military deployments
were made to suppress any armed and political movement for independence. In continuation of its policy, India annulled Article 370 of its constitution in August 2019 ending the autonomous status of the region of Jammu and Kashmir. It also legitimised the settlement of people from other areas in Jammu and Kashmir. India also threatened Pakistan’s militarily
which led to a small-scale but dangerous armed confrontation between the two countries. It also resulted in the blocking of diplomatic channels for the resolution of bilateral issues.

The Jammu massacre and its commemoration day should remind us of the importance of a peaceful resolution of the dispute. The cost of any military solution to the dispute could be unimaginable destruction and loss of civilian lives on both sides as both India and Pakistan have strong military power and nuclear weapons. Any conventional war between the two powers could bring them to the brink of a nuclear war in which entire populations could be annihilated. So the only way to resolve the dispute is dialogue and diplomacy. Although confrontation has mellowed to some degree — thanks to the back-door diplomacy — more needs to be done.

The peaceful resolution of the dispute requires political will on both sides. Attempts have been made in past to resolve the dispute peacefully like the four-point formula by the former President, General Pervaiz Musharraf, was considered at the Agra summit in 2001. However, the cross-border terrorism and India's labelling of the Kashmir independence movement as terrorism led to a roadblock in diplomacy. Another obstacle is the current populist Hindutva government in India led by the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP).

It has used brawls with Pakistan as an election card, that too quite successfully. Modi-led India even tried to expand the dispute further when he adopted the rhetoric: “blood and water cannot flow together”. This populist narrative shows the lack of political will for dialogue and peaceful resolution. Political will in leadership can be developed through several means.

Confidence-building measures from any side and extending a hand of peace can pave the way for dialogue and diplomacy. The softening of political rhetoric and exchange of prisoners can be seen as steps towards peace. International forums like SCO and SAARC can also play a role in melting the ice. For instance, SAARC summit of 1998 led to a direct meeting between the Prime Ministers of each country and it was followed by the Indian PM's visit to Pakistan to sign Lahore declaration in 1999. The opening of trade between the parties can also increase the chances of a peaceful resolution or at least decrease the chances of war.

To recapitulate, the Jammu Martyrs Day reminds us that the price of any attempt for forceful resolution of issues will be paid by people across the border especially the people of Kashmir. Until the people of Jammu and Kashmir are given their right to self-determination peace cannot sustain. The leadership in both countries must recognise the fact that Pakistan and India being irreplaceable neighbours have permanent mutual interests and cannot remain in a tense relationship forever. Hence diplomacy is the most appropriate way to push for the resolution of the Kashmir dispute.