If you keep repeating one theory like a manna even a lie starts sounding like the truth.If one really tries to go deeper into the issue,one can clearly see that neither the pakistanis of today nor the disgruntled people of the valley know what it is that they want,and why they want it.Because there is no longer any sync between what was and what is,we will see this problem resolve itself with the passage of time IMO.
M.A. Jinnah had once said, "Kashmir is Pakistan's Jugular".
Q - Why did he say so?
A - A major part of the rivers on which Pakistan's whole agriculture is based, comes from the rivers originating in Kashmir. The map below will give an idea of how dependent Pakistan is on rivers originating from Kashmir.
The key to solving any problem, be it of mathematics or politics, is correct problem identification. Without proper problem identification, effective problem solution can be a pipe-dream at best.
Having said that, it startles me to observe that Kashmir is probably the biggest lie Pakistan's rulers ever told their populace...
Q - Why?
A - Because Kashmir, as they have told their people, is about:
1. Islamic brotherhood with a majority of kashmiris being muslims.
2. Human rights violations allegedly being carried out by India in kashmir.
3. Suppression of Kashmiris' voice
4. Denial of a right to choose their own fate, be it independence from India, accession to India or accession to Pakistan.
But if one just stops for a while and thinks over it, one will find that all these 'reasons' are nothing but mere emotional pretexts to galvanize the support of the masses.
Masses...a very important yet unfortunately trivialized word. The masses, just like they are anywhere on earth and more so in the Indian subcontinent, are an emotional lot. Their support cannot practically be garnered unless the issue be of an emotional connect to the masses.
And what better way to connect to the masses than religion?
Religion...the focal point of the common man's life in the Indian subcontinent. Something that can make him so emotional that he will stand in endless lines to kill or die for it.
And that's what the rulers wanted. Men who would just line up to die for the stated cause of religion and unstated cause of the rulers' desires. Pawns in a game of chess.
Now think about it, would those men be willing to put themselves in the line of fire had their rulers just told them,
"We need to claim back our rivers from India."
or if they had told the masses,
"India is the devil suppressing our Muslim brethren in Kashmir and hence we must wage a war against India."
It's obvious that to the mind of a highly religious muslim belonging to the Indian subcontinent, the second pretext would seem to be much more powerful and convincing a reason to both go to war and death.
Hence Kashmir was the greatest lie that Pakistani rulers ever told their people.
It is not about religion or human rights or freedom etc. It never was.
It is, was and will remain solely and firmly about the rivers and their waters.
A solution to Kashmir is possible only if both the sides understand this.
Like I earlier said, only correct problem identification can lead to problem solution.
