Solutions

Everybody seems to have a solution to the ‘Kashmir Problem.’ There is wide disparity as to how to go about achieving peace here, but there is a key phrase that everybody seems to use: peace with dignity.

Alrightey then, where did that come from.

Here’s a little bit of pop analysis: As far as India and Pakistan are concerned the Kashmiri is not Kashmir.

Having spent an entire day wandering around Srinagar – which included lunch at a Vaishno Dhaba overlooking Dal Lake – I managed to talk to a lot of people. Most use the phrase above, after they get a little comfortable, the peace gets replaced with freedom.

There seems to be a general feeling that a free Kashmir nation can benefit greatly. The key areas of economic growth that were identified:

hydro-electric power

agro-business

beer and wine

tourism

When asked how they would develop any of these industries: ‘the money will come from MNCs.’

And the possibility of playing India, Pakistan and China against each other for economic gain is something that sounds quiet nice to these guys.

I decided to bring up other sensitive subjects: the army presence for one.

What I got was a mix of accepted wisdom about how bad they are, minus real experiences and a certain disdain for them – a we don’t need them around shrug of the shoulders.

Which is not to say that the army is all good. There is the story of the major who went around extorting money from people, with the help of surrendered militants. He was courtmartialled.

Then there’s the guy who was running guns for the militants – in his official jeep. I found that one a little hard to believe at first. But the source of this information has credentials that drove away all doubt.

There is however a general feeling that the soltion may lie in encouraging complete selfishness – it’s a show me the money situation. Basically, encourage industry, trade and economic ties that make India a more practical solution for the common Kashmiri.

But I can’t help but wonder: will money beat religion.

It seems the trump card that the mujahideen hold is that they are Muslim.

So, will paycheques manage to edge out feelings of Islamic brotherhood?

I definitely don’t have any answers.

Originally published on ] t h i n k [ (tootb.blogspot.com); recovered from the Wayback Machine.