The God’s gift; the paradise on earth; 84471 Square Miles of Landscape in the northern hemisphere of the globe on 35 degree latitude, with lush green plains offering green carpet floor to it’s 15 Million people, surrounded by high and gorgeous mountains with snow ducked peaks presenting the shine and sheen of white marble wall, proliferating from the great Himalayas in the east and dilating to Hindukush Mountains in the west, nurturing heart breaking streams with delicious waters including the river Jhelum, the river Chinab, the river Indus, the river Tavi flowing through the heart of these plains, a region with geo strategic importance linking South Asia  with the Central Asia, crowned by 96 Square Miles siachin Glacier – perhaps the highest in the world a region with sweet and delicious water encompassing two world – acclaimed, beautiful lakes – the Dal lake and the Wullar lake – perhaps the highest lake in Asia in its heart, is called the Kashmir.

It is undenying truth that Kashmir is beautiful in all respects with Srinagar - The capital city - it is epicenter of Geographical beauty, cultural Heritage, civilization ethos and political History, privileged with its record of ancient history. Kashmir state, as it existed in 1947 has five geographical regions, Kashmir Valley in the heart of it, slopes of Jammu in the South, the barrens of Ladakh and Sinkiang in the east, the lower valleys of Gilgat and Baltistan in the north. The climatic conditions of the state vary from arctic cold in Ladakh to the extreme heat of the slopes of Jammu. Valley enjoys a temperature climate in the summer and cold in the Winter, while in the frontier districts in the north extreme cold prevails throughout the year.

The people of the state vary in race, religion, language and culture depending upon the region in which they live. In the North east the population resembles Mongoloids, while in rest of the state the population resembles Cocksites. Kashmiri is the main language in the state especially spoken in Kashmir valley and its adjacent areas. Dogri is a common language in Jammu, Pahari in the western parts, Balti and Dardi is spoken in the northern areas with Laddakhi language in Leh region. Urdu and English are official languages of the state. A large section of the population is able to read, write, understand and speak both the languages. Though the people of the state vary in language, race and religion but have lived with a religious harmony and tolerance. Islam is the dominant religion with a ratio of 78% followers, Hindus, Kashmiri Pandits, Sikhs and Buddhists constitute rest of the population, with a ratio of Hindus 18%, Sikhs 1.5%, Kashmiri Pandits 2% and Buddhists 1%.The sons of the soil called their state "MOUJ KASHIR" – meaning the mother Kashmir.

Political History of Kashmir State

The Kashmir state has five thousand years old rich cultural heritage and civilization ethos however, the political history of the state is marked by upheavals, tragedies and glorious uncertainties. Before the advent of Islam, the Kashmir was a monarch ruled by various Hindu rulers in succession commonly called Maharaja’s, the last among them was Maharaja Laltaditya. It is after the demise of Laltaditya the Muslims setup Saltanat under the kingship of Rinchen Shah the founding ruler of Shahmeri dynasty. The Muslim Sultans expended and consolidated the Muslim saltanat of Kashmir and during this period the Kashmir history has witnessed peace, stability and development. The last Muslim ruler Yousuf Shahchak, however, was engaged in ruthless wars by Jalal-ud-din Akbar the Mughal emperor of India in the later part of the 16 th century. The last Muslim ruler Yousuf Shahchak in deceit by Mughal emperor Akbar was imprisoned and Mughals conquered the state and Mughals established their rule in the Kashmir state. With the advent of Mughals since 1586 A.D. the Kashmir state fall in the lap of foreign occupation, the region has witnesseth political uncertainty human tragedies and blood sheds under the successive rule of Mughals, Phatans, Sikhs and Dogras. The feeling of resentment against the foreign occupation and tyranny was all along there, but the feeling of resentment against the foreign occupation found it’s outward expression in the beginning of 20th century, which lead the people to the sustained political struggle against Dogra dynastical rule till 1947. The events of 1947 in the subcontinent led to end of the fading British colonialism and emergence of two sovereign independent states of India and Pakistan in accordance with the partition plan envisaged under the Indian Independence Act of 1947.

With the end of British imperialism in the subcontinent the Maharaja Hari Singh lost the status of princely ruler of the state on 15th August 1947. When the freedom and independence dawned on the subcontinent on 14-15th August 1947, the Kashmir state witnessed a new tragic chapter in its history on account of deceit and deception, trust and ignorance giving rise to new horizons of chaos and confusion, confrontation and conflagration, uncertainly and bloodshed, The people of the state are estranged in a fresh struggle for survival, freedom, peace and justice. Interms of the partition plan of the Indian Independence Act the Maharaja Hari Singh the princely ruler of the state of Jammu and Kashmir had no option but decide for accession of the princely state with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in view of the geographical and demographic complexion of the state of Jammu and Kashmir as on 14 th of August 1947, the ratio of Muslim majority was 89% and more than 900 kilometers frontiers of J&K were attached with state of Pakistan. The indecision on the part of Maharaja Hari Singh in deciding the political future of the state in accordance with the partition plan before 14 th August 1947, the political un-certainty haunted the state. It is believed that Maharaja Hari Singh and his Prime Minister Ram Chand Kak was of this opinion that the princely state should remain as independent state and accordingly Prime Minister Ram Chand Kak proposed for a standstill agreement with the respective Governments of India and Pakistan which standstill agreement was accepted by the Govt. of Pakistan but not agreed by the Govt. of India headed by Lord Mount Batten the then Governor General of India. The intrigues played by the leadership of Indian National Congress under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Valab bhai Patel succeeded in removal of Ram Chand Kak as Prime Minister of Kashmir State and enforcement of Mehar Chand Mahajan as successor in office as Prime Minister of the Kashmir State. And every effort on the part of the Indian leadership and Maharaja Hari Singh, Mehar Chand Mahajan was planned to force Maharaja Hari Singh to exceed to India against the wishes of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and against the spirit of partition plan. The chaos and confusion continued on account of the indecision of Maharaja Hari Singh about the political future of Jammu and Kashmir which forced the people of J&K to revolt against the Maharaja who had lost the legal and constitutional character of a princely ruler after the end of the British colonialism in India. On 25 th of October Maharaja Hari Singh had to run away from power and Kashmir on account of the peoples revolt against him and it is on this occasion the Indian authorities managed armed invasion in Jammu and Kashmir under the guise of so called instrument of accession and creating peaceful atmosphere in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. This armed intervention by the Government of India was unethical and unwarranted by all stretches of political ethics and international conventions. The armed conflict expanded and consequently the Government of India sought intervention of United Nations which resulted in seize fire between the Indian and Pakistani forces and the division of the state by the March of 1948.

From the historical and political point of view the Kashmir dispute is deeply rooted in the political history of the subcontinent and it involves the determination of political aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir for future political dispensation of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The Govt. of India has brought the Kashmir dispute before the United Nations on 5 th January 1948 and is committed to hold a free, fair and impartial plebiscite to allow the people of the state to decide about the political future of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The genesis of the dispute on Jammu and Kashmir being calling for a referendum for the dispensation of political future of the state of Jammu and Kashmir by its people and the denial of the Govt. of India never the less in violation of its own commitments and by this time the situation it same as it existed in 1949. The promises made by the Govt. of India are not honoured by the Govt. of India in holding agreed plebiscite and this denial and non observance of its commitments by the Govt. of India is the sole source of unrest and uncertainty not only in state of Jammu and Kashmir but a source of confrontation between India and Pakistan which uncertainty and confrontation between two nation states is eschewing the economic vitals, human values, peace and tranquility in the region.

All these factors are telling upon the psyche of the population in one of the most picturesque regions on earth. The figures are disturbing. Over the past 17 years, almost one lac people have lost lives between the ages of 14 to 40 years. A more disturbing factor is the number of those killed in suicide which stands at a staggering three thousand. Hospital records in Srinagar reveal that in past one year more than 575 cases of suicides most of whom being women, were recorded.

Kashmir issue in the international fora

In the context of event of 1947 and the failure of Bristishers to shape a solution to the Kashmir problem new challenges and crisis confront the people and these challenges deserve an analysis and redressal. One cannot afford to dispel the history or put blinkers on his eye to avoid the truth. The truth is that the Kashmiris are caught in peril of survival and struggle for existence with dignity and honour. The ongoing conflict in the state is the challenge for all the people of wisdom and reason. The people of Jammu and Kashmir believe that future status of the state is yet to be determined and the same is to be determined by the will of the people on the basis universally recognized and governable principle of people’s right to self determination. India and Pakistan-two nuclear states-contend their respective claims on Kashmir adding the gravity in the already grave situation in the region.

The Kashmir issue is pending before the United Nations since 1 st January 1948 the day when the Govt. of India referred the dispute to the United Nations. The United Nations at the instance and agreements of Governments of India and Pakistan have passed series of resolutions aiming at the resolution of the Kashmir dispute. 5 th January 1948 U.N. resolution resulted in seize fire between the armed forces of India and Pakistan and creation of the seize fire line now called L.O.C. In view of the seize fire the Kashmir state is divided. The state stands divided with its 1/3rd territory controlled by Pakistan and 2/3rd held by India. The Kashmir is on fire, the paradise is lost with its people crying for justice, struggling for survival, cherishing for freedom and aspiring for peace. The spectacular tragedies have clouded everything- the daily humiliation of the people , plight of families whose young men have disappeared or killed, the effects of the long years of turmoil on the psyche of the young men and old alike the changing nature of the family and faith and intercommunity relationships and the growing civic problems.

The UN Security Council resolution of 13 th August 1948 is a principle foundation of recognition of the Kashmir issue and a resolve by the respective Governments of India and Pakistan to settle the Kashmir dispute peacefully on the basis of internationally acceptable and governable principle of people’s right of self determination. To give effect the 13 th August 1948 U.N.S.C. resolutions the United Nations adopted 5 th January 1949 resolution which provides a broad based mechanism and practical approach for resolving by holding a free, fair and independent plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir. in light of the resolutions of the United Nations, the military observer groups are stationed in Jammu and Kashmir to monitor the military management of India and Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir, India and Pakistan are under international obligation to hold a free, fair and impartial plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir to decide about the political future of the Jammu and Kashmir. it is pertinent to mention interms of the U.N. resolutions the United Nations appointed an admiral Nemiz as plebiscite administrator but the Govt. of India never allowed the plebiscite commission to go its way in holding the plebiscite which confounded the confusion with the passage of time. The United Nations from 1 st January 1948 to 1964 passed 18 resolutions to give effect to the call for referendum for resolution of the Kashmir dispute but every effort was resisted by the Govt. of India which lead the entire subcontinent into an armed confrontation in 1965 between India and Pakistan. This armed conflict proceeded with Tashkent agreement between India and Pakistan signed by the field marshal General Ayoub Khan of Pakistan and Prime Minister of India Mr. Lal Bahadur Shastri with a firm commitment to resolve the Kashmir dispute. The failure of the Tashkent agreement in providing a solution to the Kashmir issue, India and Pakistan again were forced for an armed conflict in 1972. The situation obtained in the aftermath of 1972 war India and Pakistan again entered into an agreement for resolution of Kashmir dispute in accordance with the spirit of U.N. chatter. The agreement of 1972 is commonly called Simla agreement signed by the respective Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan namely Mrs. Indira Gandhi and Zulfikar Ali Bhattu. Since 1972 both the countries have failed to resolve the Kashmir dispute bilaterally which situation forced afresh armed rebellion by the people of Jammu and Kashmir in 1990 against the Indian armed occupation.

The organization of Islamic countries is tied up with the Kashmir issue since its formation and by this time the OIC has adopted dozens of resolutions in its summit meetings held from time to time pressing the Govt. of India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN resolutions on Kashmir.

The Kashmir issue is truly believed to be a nuclear flash point in the sub continent and it disturbing peace, security and stability in the south Asian region besides hampering the real economic development in the region. On account of pendency of the Kashmir dispute extremism and fundamentalism is growing with various dimensions and this growth of extremism and fundamentalism is a cause of concern for growth of democratic order in the region. In this backdrop the resolution of the Kashmir dispute is felt imperative by the global community for peaceful international relations and it is a welcome development that dispute resolution mechanism is tried to be put into practice to find a peaceful and permanent resolution of the Kashmir dispute.