Kashmir Discussion

In our International Studies (Prof. K. Schmidt) course today, at Concordia University--St. Paul, we are discussing the long-standing conflict between India and Pakistan over Kashmir.

• India has 16 different "official languages"
• Islamabad located near Kashmir intensifies the conflict
• Costs of conflict: lives and economic stress
• Military rules both sides of Kashmir
• Potential to be a major tourist destination: famous artists
• Politicians invoke religion: Muslim identity identified to distinguish self from Hindus
• Military defense offered to others in order to gain control of a region
• 1999: Pakistan nearly gained control over the region
• China involved after '99--controlling a portion of the region
• Nuclear superiority being pursued by Pakistan, India, and China

Solution: give Kashmir independence. Main problem: where should the borders lie?

India and Pakistan's nationalism is on the line.

• Kashmir conflict: mainly political conflict rather than religious
• Students don't feel same sense of prejudice as their parents
• Islam: moderate majority of religious observers respect other religions
• Muslim polygamy frowned upon in India
• Sikand sees division between two countries as helpful in defining their nationalism
• Muslim minority facing socioeconomic marginalization, target for attacks
• India: nationalism without legs because there is too much diversity
• Schools educate the children with national pride