The Peace in the South Asia   

By Wasi Siddiqui

The recent train blasts in the Mumbai, India claims 186 innocent lives and leaving many injured, it is indeed a crime which is highly condemnable. Those involved in this kind of terrorist acts must be brought to justice, because this is unacceptable, no matter whose life it is, it is a loss of human life.

This act of terrorism is not a new occurrence to both India and Pakistan, in fact Pakistan has been a real victim of terrorism, since it gain independence in 1947, both countries are bitterly divided over the issue of Kashmir, which is the burning issue and both country claims it to be the part of its territory. Pakistan has denied it's involvement in the blast, but this blame game continues to go on and on.

The Kashmir conflict was born when India annex the part of Kashmir and declare as it integral part of India, and Pakistan refuses to accept this action, thus created big tension in the region. The truth is that issue of Kashmir was never decided at the time of independence which indeed was a big mistake and unfortunate thing to have happened.

 The issue of Kashmir led to the formation of so many freedom fighters groups who were ready to fight with India to gain independence of Kashmir, many people lost their lives in this fight and even after 58 years of independence of India and Pakistan the issue of disputed territory of Kashmir remains unsolved. These freedom fighters in the 70's and 80's were at their peak when Russia invaded Afghanistan; many of this freedom fighter was involved in cross-border fighting against Russia. These groups still remains active and armed and also brought many terrorist acts inside Pakistan in the name of Shia and Sunni conflict which resulted in worst bloodshed ever seen in Pakistan.

Even thought Pakistan says it has controlled and has managed to stop this acts of cross-border terrorist activities, it seems there are some elements who don't want to see peace prevailing in the region.

There was a slight of hope was born when than Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited Pakistan in1997 to start a new peace process between the two countries and remove the mistrust issue which is the main cause of problem. Although he said very openly that "The division of India and Pakistan is a still a fresh wound". But then he visited Minar-e-Pakistan to accept the reality, where Pakistan's as a separate homeland resolution was passed.

But the relation between India and Pakistan turned for the worst, when the ugly conflict of Kargil took place, and brought these two countries back on the war zone, as history has witness two wars of 1965 and 1971, where East Pakistan becomes Independence state of Bangladesh. It was a indeed a biggest defeat for Pakistan and brought a shameful note to all Pakistanis.

Another issue of Saichen is a long running dispute of these countries where so many soldiers from both countries has died , it is a estimation that more soldiers died as a result of severe cold condition then actually in a combat , this continues to be a big problem as India occupied a portion and another under Pakistan control. I wrote a poem which I would like to share called "A view from Saichen"

A VIEW FROM SAICHEN

At the most highest level of the world
Where the mountains are all covered with snow
Where the quietness of the mountain often breaks
Every time when gunfire sounds that echo through
Two of the fierce Army sitting on top
Waiting for the just one word " GO"
Every movement is being watched by each other
Any single step could bring a disaster that one can know
Pakistani and Indian troops exchange heavy gunfire
The division that started many years ago
Pakistan and India deeply divided on Kashmir
Which is the main issue that continues to grow
In the most coldest area of the world
The Kashmir issue is still burning deep down below
Is the issue of Kashmir will ever be solved?
Is PEACE will ever making its way between the foes?

Wasi Siddiqui   Copy right (2006)

In the present condition where both India and Pakistan has Nuclear weapons, this has brought them on a serious collision situation and any misunderstanding can bring disaster to the whole region.

It is in the best interest for both countries to settle the issue of Kashmir with some bold steps which can bring ever-lasting peace in south Asia. It is good that Pakistan always ready to initiate the peace process despite the Kargil conflict, it is time to forget and forgive and move forward in search for peace. It is time for both nations to think about poverty and rising social issue in their countries , It is famous saying of former Indian Prime Minister Mr.Vajpayee who said " India and Pakistan is the not the enemy of each other , but it is poverty which is the enemy of both countries".

I wrote a poem regarding the Kashmir issue which is called "Across the Border" for which I received a letter from United Nation Secretary General as my poem reflects the theme of Peace of the organization.

Across the Border

Pakistan and India has something in common
Our blood is same our language is same
Our history has given us nothing but pain
So many times we went to war!! What a shame
It is time to put our past behind
And move forward with the PEACE as our only aim
Whenever there is a tragedy happens
Both country starts war of blame
Lack of understanding is the biggest hurdle
In 57 years of existence TRUST has never came
It is time to solve the issue of Kashmir
Which both country has always claim
It is time to sacrifice for an ever-lasting peace
Give independence to Kashmir
Let's walk away from the border
And feel proud of ourselves for a better deal

Wasi Siddiqui (Copy right 2006)

I met one of the Indian colleague and asked why India don't want to give independence to Kashmir and he said that "if India even think about independence of Kashmir then India afraid that it will led to more ethnic groups within India asking for Independence such as sikhs who want to create Khalistan, and then moist rebels who also want a independence in Assam" and these issues will led to total disintegration of India, which any Indian cannot think of.  His concern as Indian is also correct, as nobody wants its country to break apart.

The South Asia already witness the bloodiest separation of India and Pakistan , the biggest migration in the history of the world , leaving thousand displace, missing , and wounds of losing love ones still lingers in the heart and minds of the people. We cannot afford to see another war in the region. Our leaders must work hard in finding the Kashmiri solution without triggering any sort of provocation which escalates to war.

1-     Abolish the LOC (Line of Control).

2-     India should declare disputed Kashmir which is the control of India as a whole India.( Optional)

3-     Pakistan should declare dispute territory of Azad Kashmir as its part of land.( Optional)

4-     Or Kashmir should be declared as a city in both countries as East Kashmir and West Kashmir.

5-     Make highways and roads to connect the Kashmir where people can live in a peaceful way and set up businesses and trade.

6-     Dismantle all the nuclear weapons and reduce the army.

7-     Funds should be available to spend on development of the undeveloped areas and fight poverty.

8-     Water and health issue should be a top priority in the agenda.

9-     Declared international border instead of LOC.

10- Efforts should be made to have electricity and basic needs available to people on the both sides.

11- The war concept between the two countries will end automatically.

12- There should be joint efforts between India and Pakistan to eradicate poverty from the region.

13- Indian and Pakistani nationals should visit each other country as often to hold culture value exchange programs.

14- Issue such as HIV/AIDS should be deal as priority as well.

15- The trust must be restored and blaming game must end.

16- Pakistan must take steps to stop cross border attacks.

17- India must withdrawal all its troops from occupied Kashmir.

18-  Businesses should be set-up in city of Kashmir in both countries which can bring prosperity to all the people and improve the living standard and create jobs.

19- Identify those elements that often cause this acts of terrorism and eliminate those individuals and groups.

20- Set up a monetary institution which will concentrate on Lending funds and loans to youth to establish businesses.

21- Any country that violates the agreement of Peace must be punished by United Nations with tougher economic sanction.

It is a sincere hope that Peace can still be achieved with some positive move and which our generation will be very thankful to our leaders for their bold steps in bringing prosperity and ever-lasting peace in the region. It is always said that leaders should be a model for our new generations who can inspire them to work in a positive way instead of hate and war. We can make this South Asia a model for the rest of the world by walking away from the war zone to Peace initiatives. Let's bring joy and give Peace a chance to prevail in South Asia.