Kashmir Conflict: A Cycle of Violence that Must be Broken
By Mirza Waheed, The Guardian
The recent massacre in Pahalgam, Kashmir, in which 26 people were killed by militants, has once again highlighted the deep-seated tensions in the region. The victims, almost all Hindu, were selected for slaughter on the basis of their religion, and the attack has left the Indian state reeling. The Kashmir conflict has been a longstanding source of tension between India and Pakistan, with both countries claiming sovereignty over the region.
According to an article in The Guardian, "By all accounts, the 26 people killed last week in a picturesque meadow in Pahalgam in Kashmir were selected for slaughter by the militants on the basis of their religion." [1] The article further states that "We’ve read heart-rending testimony of how the families watched as the men, almost all Hindu, were shot from close range. These were unconscionable killings."
The Kashmir conflict has a long and complex history, dating back to the partition of India in 1947. The region has been a bone of contention between India and Pakistan, with both countries claiming sovereignty over it. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 70,000 people, with many more displaced or missing. As The Guardian notes, "A generation has grown old with this catastrophic binary, the cost mostly borne by Kashmiris, more than 70,000 of whom have been killed, about 10,000 disappeared, and over 200,000 Kashmiri Pandits (Hindus) displaced since the uprising against Indian rule in 1989." [1]
In 2019, the Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, took steps to annex Kashmir, stripping it of its limited self-rule. The move was met with widespread protests and international criticism. Since then, the region has been ruled directly by the Indian government, with a governor appointed by Delhi. The Guardian reports that "Since 2018, India has ruled the region directly via a governor appointed by Delhi; the following year Narendra Modi’s government formally erased Muslim-majority Kashmir’s limited self-rule." [1]
The people of Kashmir have had little or no say in their future, with their voices often suppressed by the Indian government. The region is home to a large military force, estimated to be around half a million soldiers, which has done little to quell the tensions. As Mirza Waheed notes, "The people of Kashmir have had little or no say in their future for as long as I can remember. In seasons of normality, they are allowed a semblance of localised power and an increase in economic activity, but it’s often short-lived, because every few years, the tensions bubbling under the surface burst into the open." [1]
Pakistan, which rules the other half of Kashmir, is also struggling with its own problems. The country’s military has a stranglehold on power, which has crippled its economy and politics. The US withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban takeover have also diminished Pakistan’s influence in the region. The Guardian reports that "Pakistan accuses Indian agencies of sponsoring the rising insurgency in Balochistan; in particular, the hijacking in March of a train by Baloch militants." [1]
The current situation in Kashmir is dire, with tensions between India and Pakistan running high. The two countries are again on the brink of a dangerous conflagration, with India threatening to take action against Pakistan for sponsoring terrorism. As The Guardian notes, "Now, in the wake of the recent attack, the two countries are again close to a dangerous conflagration. I will stop your water, says India. I will suspend our peace treaty, retorts Pakistan." [1]
To break the cycle of violence, India and Pakistan must engage in meaningful dialogue. The Kashmiri people must be given a say in their future, and their voices must be heard. The Indian government must take steps to address the grievances of the Kashmiri people, including the release of human rights activists and journalists who have been jailed under harsh anti-terror laws. As Mirza Waheed concludes, "Rather than exchange fire, as they have done every day since the attack in Pahalgam, and on and off for decades, the countries could do well, for the sake of their peoples and for Kashmiris, to break this cycle of forever war over this earthly paradise." [1]
The international community must also play a role in resolving the Kashmir conflict. The United Nations has a responsibility to promote peace and stability in the region, and to ensure that the rights of the Kashmiri people are protected. As The Guardian reports, "Most accounts in the press suggest that a strike by India is imminent, which will most likely be followed by a tit-for-tat response by Pakistan. Though analysts speak of minimum or ‘managed hostility’, wars have a way of getting out of hand." [1]
In conclusion, the Kashmir conflict is a complex and deeply entrenched issue that requires a comprehensive and nuanced solution. The cycle of violence must be broken, and the Kashmiri people must be given a say in their future. The Indian and Pakistani governments must engage in meaningful dialogue, and the international community must play a role in promoting peace and stability in the region.
References:
[1] The Guardian. (2025, April 29). Kashmir conflict: a cycle of violence that must be broken. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/apr/29/india-pakistan-kashmir-war-massacre
