Developereo
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This may sound obvious to most people, but there is a tendency by some to turn this into a religious conflict. Let's always be clear that this is purely a geopolitical, nationalist conflict.
Even Kashmir is not a religious conflict; India's reluctance to solve the problem has more to do with setting a precedent than any religious overtones.
It is important to keep religion out of this debate for two reasons:
Firstly, it is unfair to Indian Muslims who are patriotic Indians, and a religious angle to the conflict opens them up to opportunistic attacks by anti-Muslim bigots within India.
Secondly, it promotes religious extemism within Pakistan because religious parties can hijack legitimate patriotism and turn it into support for their own self-serving political agendas. The next time religious parties use Islam as a vehicle for patriotism, they should be asked: do you really speak for all Muslims in Pakistan? what about non-Muslim citizens of Pakistan? is your overall message promoting national unity or disunity?
Even Kashmir is not a religious conflict; India's reluctance to solve the problem has more to do with setting a precedent than any religious overtones.
It is important to keep religion out of this debate for two reasons:
Firstly, it is unfair to Indian Muslims who are patriotic Indians, and a religious angle to the conflict opens them up to opportunistic attacks by anti-Muslim bigots within India.
Secondly, it promotes religious extemism within Pakistan because religious parties can hijack legitimate patriotism and turn it into support for their own self-serving political agendas. The next time religious parties use Islam as a vehicle for patriotism, they should be asked: do you really speak for all Muslims in Pakistan? what about non-Muslim citizens of Pakistan? is your overall message promoting national unity or disunity?
