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Thursday, October 14, 2010

Pritam K. Rohila, Ph.D. THE JAMMU & KASHMIR PROBLEM: PARAMETERS OF A FINAL RESOLUTION

Recent unrest in the Kashmir Valley, once again has drawn attention to
the Jammu & Kashmir problem. Statements of Indian, Pakistani and
Kashmiri leaders reflect the same old rhetoric.

To anyone who has closely studied developments there, that the
successive governments as well as political leaders of India, Pakistan,
and Jammu & Kashmir are responsible for what has happened within the
bounds of the former princely state, since 1947, and for what is
happening there currently. Therefore, all of them need to share
responsibility for finding the final resolution of the problem.

The final resolution must be long-lasting, equitable for all parties,
and acceptable to the people of all ethnicities, living in all parts of
Jammu & Kashmir.

Violence and wars have not only failed to resolve the problem, but also
have made it worse. The final resolution must avoid any military action,
violence or bloodshed. Dialog and negotiation are the best ways to reach
this goal.

The final resolution must lead to a peaceful transition. In no way, it
should end in involuntary dislocation of people. It should avoid
replication of the human tragedy that happened in the subcontinent at
the time of the Partition.

The final resolution must provide for full restoration of their
properties to all those who, since 1989, have been forced out of their
homes, and who, around that time, had felt compelled to do so. Also it
should ensure their safe return to and residence at their former homes.
Allowance must be made for their rehabilitation and that of their
properties.

The final resolution must provide for a way to help people of all
regions to air their past grievances in a safe and empathetic
atmosphere. It will help them come to terms with the tragic events of
the past, and enable them to cooperatively work with their neighbors for
a better future for all.

The final resolution must allow people of each region to govern
themselves in the way they deem fit, but in such a way that preserves
the Kashmiriyat tradition of religious and cultural tolerance and
peaceful coexistence.

The final resolution must clearly define relationship of each region
with others regions as well as that with the governments of India and
Pakistan. It must provide for suitable institutional mechanisms to
conduct and govern these relationships, including those required for
impartial settlement of future disagreements and disputes.

Lastly, the final resolution of the Jammu & Kashmir problem must be
accompanied by a `No War/Friendship' pact between India and
Pakistan, including the following:

Banning of all hostile activities against each other by all government
agencies, and private groups operating within their boundaries;

Granting each other the Most Favored Nation status with provisions for
free movement of goods, people, and ideas across their mutual border;
and

Commitment to a peaceful resolution of all outstanding and future
disputes and disagreements.


Dr. Rohila is the Executive Director of the Association for Communal
Harmony in Asia (www.asiapeace.org). He can
be reached at asiapeace@comcast.net 

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