The current vitiated situation vis-a-vis Kashmir crisis holds multifaceted mayhem repercussions, whilst implants a devious drive in deteriorating the corridor of regional perpetual peace by pushing two nuclear states towards escalated hostility with looming threats of war outbreak and intensifying regional geopolitical intrigue by engaging global contending powers.
Kashmir – under siege, bedews in blood, Laden with flagrant protracted violence and gross human rights violation by brutal Indian armed forces, with no end in sight, yet another “deceitful political gambit”- victimizing special status of Indian occupied Kashmir by rushed presidential decree, which vehemently wrecked an unprecedented havoc to the fundamental freedom rights of innocent Kashmiris and also fueled nefarious design of “Hindutva chauvinism” in the valley.
In the aftermaths of a perplexed and pugnacious strategic move, Pakistan brought a pragmatic shift in erstwhile rapprochement policy towards Delhi and took stringent policy measures- limiting diplomatic and economic ties and extended its support to end the plight of Kashmiri people in their longstanding seventy years resistance. Islamabad’s diplomatic manoeuvring with foreign governments and international organizations brought the issue in limelight consequently the U.N. Security Council formally discussed the disputed region of Kashmir for the first time in nearly four decades.
Firstly, domestically, the ruling party BJP tend to seek political mileage and intent to the revamped demographic structure of occupied territory of Kashmir in foreseeable future conceivably will spree into ethnoreligious conflicts, leading to genocidal violence.
Secondly, The fallout of integration of Kashmir territory into Indian Union through constitutional amendment of 370 nullified various local laws and acts – in particular, JK public safety acts and the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) of India that grants special powers to the Indian Armed Forces have become redundant and the government holds no legal position to charge the Kashmiris under such awful acts and also coerces to release all the prisoners with immediate effect.
Thirdly, Delhi’s rhetoric of democracy already preluded with skepticism due to its fascist tendencies which further validated by “myopic decision,” leaving India red-faced in front of entire world and also signposted democratic dysfunctioning where amendment made through military clampdown, imposing curfews, detentions of political leaders, enforced disappearances of masses, complete blackout of social, print and electronic media, and subjugating masses from basic rights.
Fifth, The grave apprehensions of protracted conflict utterly frustrated the indigenous masses and growing antagonistic tendencies of educated class reached to alarming height, youth chanting one slogan “There is only one solution gun solution gun solution”, depicting that freedom struggle now retracing its feet into militancy provocation and Jihadi outfits once again would hold centre stage. As a consequence, the miscued policy of Delhi would overtly backfire, intensifying asymmetric warfare in the valley with the plausibility of spill-over impact in the periphery cannot be annulled in the foreseeable future.
Sixth, embroiling turmoil in the valley has shut down businesses and markets in the valley. Besides, Successive unprovoked ceasefire violations by Indian armed forces along the LOC ensuing colossal blow to the economic sector, in particular, the tourism industry which has been a key source of revenue generation for entire Kashmir. If the unrest prevailed it may plug in economic soft patch-opening the doors for the illicit economy.
In broader regional geopolitical spectrum, the Indo-Pak confrontation means the avenues of cooperation over Kartarpur corridor and bilateral trade would also face a major setback. The intensifying hostility has rung alarm bells for the great powers in the region, as the US tend to play the role of conflict mediator whereas China converges its narrative with Pakistan. Likewise, Beijing cannot afford a hostile regional environment because it dents contours of BRI flagship project CPEC. It is pertinent to highlight that Afghanistan conflict is undergoing through a peace process between the US and Afghan Taliban, in amid political stalemate of an eruption of war would impede conflict resolution and in due course pushing the region to the enduring crisis.
To conclude with, Delhi grisly tried to rub Kashmiri nose further into the ground through scraping 370 which holds the significance of fig leaf in front of dedication for their rights of self-determination however, the antipathy would create the hostile configuration. Thus, decision reversal has become considerably important to maintain regional stability in order. Indian Policymakers must realize that such zero-sum tactics merely a wild goose chase in dark whilst the fate of Kashmir can only decide by the Kashmiri people. Great powers should play their role to mitigate the crisis and to stable regional security architecture to better enhance the prospects of collective peace and cooperation.
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy and position of Regional Rapport.
