Why doesn't India give Kashmir independence?

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Before independence in August 1947, India was under the rule of the British crown. On account of World War 2 and struggle of Indian freedom fighters, it became impossible for the British to rule India anymore. They had to leave India. However, before leaving India they divided India in two independent nations-India and Pakistan. Pakistan became a country of Muslims while India remained a secular nation.

(Map sourced from wikipedia)

With declaration of Independence, British paramountcy over 562 princely states ended. British government declared that princely states were free to choose whether they would remain independent or merge with India or Pakistan. All princely states except Hyderabad, Junagarh and Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) merged either with India or Pakistan. King of J&K was Hindu while citizens were 77% Muslims and rests were Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhist. Maharaja Hari Singh wanted J&K to be an independent nation. But in September 1947 attack of Pakistan army and tribal forced him to sign the instrument of accession with Indian government. It is said Pakistan army and tribal killed many people, raped women and made it possible for Maharaja to rule J&K anymore.

In May 1948 Pakistani army officially declared war. Indian army fought bravely but at the instance of Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru India sought mediation of the United Nations. Ceasefire was declared, and it was proposed that Pakistan would withdraw its troops and India would keep minimum army in J&K. A plebiscite was to be done. Pakistan army had control over a large part. It didn’t withdraw. So, Indian army also remained there. Plebiscite could never be done. In 1962 China attacked India and annexed part of Aksai Chin from the state. Now, India has 43%, Pakistan has 37% and China has 20% control over the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

India had given a special status to Jammu and Kashmir, according to which this state has full autonomy. It has a separate constitution and the flag which other status in India cannot think of. India and Pakistan had fought in 1965, 1971 (which led to secession of Pakistan in Pakistan and Bangladesh) and 1998. Kashmir issue is vital for both the nations.  India which controls just 43% part of J&K cannot afford to lose this part because of many reasons:

Accession of instrument: Maharaja Hari Singh signed and agreement with India which makes J&K an integral part of India. 

Historical reasons: Kashmir had always been the part of India. Historically, it was ruled by Hindus and population were there Hindus and Buddhist before the advent of Islam. Jammu division is still Hindu majority and Ladakh valley is Buddhist dominated. If Jammu and Kashmir declared independent, these people will be wiped out. In 1990, Hindus, especially Kashmiri pundits were made to flee the valley by Islamists. People of Jammu and Ladakh division are apprehensive of such a fate.

Vested interest of the parties: Issue of J&K is important for Pakistan as it wants to take revenge of separation of Bangladesh in 1971 war. Pakistani army rules country directly and indirectly. It is in the interest of Pakistani army and its politicians to keep this issue burning. Separatists in Kashmir valley also get benefit because of this issue. They get funding both from India and Pakistan. Also, some political parties and people of Indian army have their own vested interests. India spends billions of dollars per year on Kashmir valley. This amount also goes to corrupt people.

Strategic position: State of J&K is connected with a part of Afghanistan, China (Tibet and Turkistan) and Pakistan and it is very near to central Asian countries. Ancient silk route also goes from there. This makes it a highly important from the point of view of strategic position. That’s the reason that not only India and Pakistan but also other countries are interested in this part. The USA, Russia etc. and other powerful nations keep meddling in this part indirectly.

Islamic extremism: Once the Kashmir valley were following Sufi tradition. Now, fundamentalist Islamic thought like Wahabism and ISIS ideologies are flourishing there. Even well educated and well-to-do families’ youths are attracting towards terrorists groups. Rise of terrorism instigates Indian government to apply more force, which results in escalation in terrorism. India cannot afford to free Kashmir as it will also increase separatist tendencies in other parts of the countries. Hindus are afraid of growing Muslim population in India which was around 5% in 1947 and now it has crossed 14%. Islamic terrorists will see it as their winning and will encourage dismantling India which India cannot bear. Also, India cannot allow one more partition of country in the name of religion as it was done in 1947. Birth of Bangladesh proved that only religion cannot be the binding force behind a country.

This issue has become very complex. India has its own problems and has Pakistan. Pakistan cannot afford to free part of Kashmir which it administers. Pakistan claims over whole Jammu and Kashmir stating that it was the Muslim majority state before merging with India. So, according to Paksitan, it should be a part of Pakistan as other Muslim dominated areas became part of it.

People of Kashmir should understand that they cannot remain independent among powerful countries like India, Pakistan and China. Global politics will force their leaders to become puppets of powerful nations. It is not possible to get independent from these nuclear powered nations. Also, political independence always benefits politicians. Common citizens seldom get enjoyment from it. A slave never gets independent, no matter who is the ruler of the country. So, Kashmiri youth should understand this fact. 

Governments should be considerate towards the condition of people. Human rights violation should not be allowed in the name of fighting against terrorism. 

(Other images has been taken from pixabay.com)