Study groups: Three surprises from a visit to Kashmir

Anyone who has visited Pakistan must have used their fair share of news about Kashmir. And after 15 years of traveling in this country, I know the Pakistani version of the Kashmir story backward. But now, after the first trip to the Indian side of the Line of Control, I have the opportunity to make my final decision on what is happening in Indian-administered Kashmir. Without purpose, a brief history.

The Indian state has failed miserably to conquer the people of the Kashmir Valley. Even the pro-India National Conference accepts Indian rule as an inevitable reality rather than the desired outcome.

When the British left the subcontinent in 1947, the status of Kashmir was not resolved. To sum up a very long and fought story, the Hindu Maharaja or the King of Kashmir decided that his Muslim-majority state would join India, not Pakistan. This conflict has led to wars and today Pakistan is two-thirds of Kashmir and India, including the Muslim majority, and there is a lot of politics in the Kashmir Valley.

India will have to deploy 400,000 security personnel to maintain control. Although all the numbers on Kashmir are deeply disputed, it would be fair to say that more than one lakh people have been killed in the conflict between Kashmiris and the Indian state.

If you listen to the Pakistani version, India is pressuring the Kashmiri people to join Pakistan or maybe be free. If you listen to India, it is defending its territory against jihadi militants sent to the Line of Control by an ugly Pakistani security device.

I arrived in Kashmir on an Indian tourist plane. They see a beautiful place. He was warmly welcomed by Kashmiri businessmen. If they have to stay away from tourist hotspots, Indian troops are on patrol, there is an assurance for them. But in most Kashmir tour packages, the holidays are better than political controversy. They will face only minor inconvenience as many of their mobile phones do not work in Kashmir.

This is one of the reasons why Kashmiris have a very different view of life in Kashmir than tourists. Kashmiris have learned to live with both political violence and Indian intelligence agencies. If you are talking about politics in a cafe in Srinagar and a stranger is sitting at the next table, stop talking. If a foreign journalist asks you how many people in the Kashmir Valley support the alliance with Pakistan, you say 25% but according to the record, you reduce that number to 10%.

The Indian Army has been in Kashmir for so long and has been given so many resources, that it now has a strong grip on Kashmiri society. Rumors of militants in the Kashmir Valley are now fighting against an army that not only monitors all communications but also has a well-developed network of paid informants and Every kind of information is known.

So what surprised me about Indian-administered Kashmir?

Kashmir is not only about amazing natural scenery but it is also known for its handicrafts and Kashmiris' gift items. Kashmiri artwork is known worldwide for its unique art and grandeur. Whenever you visit a place, you always choose something that is unique and for which the place is famous. Kashmir tour packages would be a better choice for you.

Three surprises from a visit to Kashmir:

. What do these young Kashmiris face in the future after years of struggle?

. Everyday life in Kashmir is very different from the average tourist scene.

. Cricket is an interesting sport that is followed in Kashmir.

At first, I had no idea how fast the insurgency had subsided. For more than 20 years - as widely shown on Pakistani TV - there has been intense violence between separatists and the Indian military. Clashes are still taking place today, but they are so rare that it is now possible to pass through Srinagar after sunset in relative safety. There are now more outposts in Peshawar or even Islamabad than in Srinagar.

Second, the Indian state has failed miserably to conquer the people of the Kashmir Valley. Even the pro-India National Conference accepts Indian rule as an inevitable reality rather than the desired outcome. Whether it comes from political traditions that look to Delhi or Islamabad, there are very few people in the Kashmir Valley who do not accept freedom and ease. Many students in Srinagar are stubborn, Indian rule is oppressive and they are willing to spend their whole lives in resistance if need be.

And the third surprise? Given the level of violence and division, this seems an invincible claim. But I have never been where people are so tolerant of each other's different political positions and religious beliefs. Consider the relatively minor issues that liberals and conservatives have felt about the political divide in the United States. Well, in Kashmir, you have heard a hardline separatist describe the Indian Army Chief in Kashmir as a Kashmiri man.

Many Kashmiris do not agree with each other. But for the most part, they do so with grace and kindness.

This is an approach that, in part, is a survival strategy. Everyone knows that India is not likely to reach an agreement on Kashmir in the near future. Although post-imperialist powers like the Scots are offered a free vote, emerging powers do not give up. If there is an opportunity for Kashmiris to choose independence, they will not vote for it.

When it comes to Kashmir, Western diplomats raise their eyebrows and tell some jokes about how complicated it is. I have always considered it a very disturbing behavior. Kashmir is one of the most complex and important disputes in the world which has claimed millions of lives.

Well, in Kashmir, you have heard a hardline separatist explain the Indian Army Chief in Kashmir as a Kashmiri man. To forget all this, you should choose Kashmir tour packages once.

And there is something about this controversy that is not surprising. There is no end to the eyes.

Study groups

Three surprises from a visit to Kashmir

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