What is Kashmir conflict ?

Question

What is Kashmir conflict ?

Answer 1

The present conflict between

India and Pakistan revolves around the territory called Kashmir, which is located to the north of both countries . Both India and Pakistan say Kashmir is a part of their territory.

Kashmir was one of many princely states in India. Under the Partition Plan in 1947, these states were free to join either India or Pakistan. The ruler of Kashmir, the Maharaja, was Hindu while the majority of the population was, and still remains, Muslims. The Maharaja had three choices - join with India, join with Pakistan or remain independent. In the end, he agreed to make Kashmir a part of India.

This event is much in dispute. Pakistan argues that the Maharaja was forced by India to sign over Kashmir to them while India maintains that this was not the case. Pakistan also argues that the people of Kashmir (Kashmiris) were never given a chance to decide their future as the Maharaja never consulted with them . Since Muslims make up the majority of the population, Pakistan claims that Kashmir should be a part of Pakistan.

It should be pointed out that in accepting Kashmir as a part of India, the Governor General of India, Lord Mountbatten, made it clear that this decision would be made final only when the people of Kashmir vote in a plebiscite or referendum on the matter. India accepted this position but has never allowed such referendum to take place. The United nations passed three resolutions calling for a plebiscite to be held but India ignored such calls. Many believe that India refuses to hold a plebiscite for fear that the majority of Kashmiris would vote to join Pakistan. Since then, India and Pakistan have gone to war twice over Kashmir, the first in 1947-8, and again in 1965. Over the years, sporadic clashes have taken place between the two sides.