Peace For Kashmir

PEACE FOR KASHMIR

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBILITIES?

The people of Kashmir have lived in absolute misery for over half a century due to the constant state of siege and war and neglect by the United Nations and the superpowers of the world. Massacres, rapes, mutilation of bodies, uncontrolled abuse, horrible poverty, and a constant state of war and terror exists (Fai, 2002a). The media has not focused on the plight of the Kashmiri people to address the humanitarian concerns in Kashmir.

At this late stage, it is time to seriously consider how social justice can be established in Kashmir. The United Nations and the United States need to step forward to seek meaningful solutions for peace in the region, and to establish human rights for the people of Kashmir. The people of Kashmir have a movement in place to seek selfdetermination and a free reunited Kashmir (Fai, 2002a).

Indeed, Fai (2002b) has linked the aggression against the Kashmiri to the global campaign against terrorism. Fai is concerned that the United States, hopefully, will not support India’s brutal occupation of Kashmir and will take the lead in providing an arena for self-determination for the Kashmiri people. He notes that

• A quadrilateral dialogue involving the US, India, Pakistan, and Kashmir • Appropriate use of the newly developed procedures and mechanics by • the United Nations (2002c, p. 1).

Fai (2002c) also proposes that all future negotiations between India and Pakistan can be meaningful and successful if all parties concerned, i.e., the governments of India and Pakistan and the Kashmiri leadership take the following steps: The first requirement is that there has to be a cease-fire from all sides that must be followed by negotiations. Negotiations cannot be carried out at a time when parties are trying to kill each other.

Negotiations should be initiated simultaneously at four different levels, including, (a)an intra-Kashmir dialogue between the leadership of All Parties Hurriyet Conference, Dogras, Buddhists, Sikhs, and Pandits. (b)Talks between India and Pakistan. (c)Talks between the governments of India and the Kashmiri leadership, without detracting from the necessity of trilateral negotiations, Kashmiri leadership should be ready for a preparatory dialogue with the Indian government provided an environment of nonviolence is established. (d) Finally, tripartite talks between India, Pakistan, and genuine leadership of the people of Kashmir (pp. 1–2).

The Kashmiris need facilitation and assistance from the international community to help them establish a free country, and India and Pakistan need help in establishing peace in the region. We need to utilize the advances that psychology has made instead of the traditional use of force and warfare?

Sengha (2002) argues that it is possible for Indians and Pakistanis to communicate, as evidenced by the outcome of a youth conference on Kashmir held in Singapore. where Indian and Pakistani youth came together to discuss Kashmir. It is reported that by the end of the conference the youth were completely converted from their original polarized position that they had brought from their countries, and felt empathy for each other’s position .

The youth came to the conference completely committed to their political positions as representatives of their countries, yet they left with an appreciation for the other side’s perspective. It is time that we let the youth, who will be the leaders of tomorrow, show us how we can achieve peace in the Indian subcontinent.

India and Pakistan have military troops on their respective borders creating a very volatile situation. A war between India and Pakistan can lead to some drastic outcomes for our planet given that both nations now have nuclear capability and have the capacity to destroy our planet. (Brenes & Du Nann Winter, 2001)

57-year crisis that is impacting the Kashmiri people must be resolved. Using worldview, communication skills, genuineness, warmth, and social perspective-taking skills, it is be possible to teach warring nations to solve their problems with strategies that will not only create peace, but will also ensure continued success in maintaining peace.

Further, these strategies should be implemented within the framework offered by the United Nations as a prerequisite to the worldview and communicating skills training. It is time to to solve global crises and to move away from violence.