Quote:
Originally Posted by Victory
I do not think the public opinion in India will allow for a separation of kashmir state. However, after few decades, who knows?
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You might be interested to know that back in 2007, a survey conducted across major urban centers in India and Pakistan showed that only 35% of Indian respondents and 11% of Pakistani respondents would consider an independent Kashmir "unacceptable" if it was the result of a free & fair plebiscite.
Indian and Pakistani Publics Show Flexibility on Kashmir - World Public Opinion
Granted, this is probably biased towards the opinions of more educated, cosmopolitan people, but its certainly promising.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Victory
If it takes 190 years or even hundred years, demographics can change and the public opinion in kashmir might change. My point was that Kashmir of today is not what it was 1500 years or even 500 years ago. The change of the religion has brought a major change in the lifestyle and thinking of the people.
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Kashmir's "demographics" haven't changed per se. We are the descendants of they very same people who inhabited Kashmir 1500 years ago. The fact that our ancestors opted to convert to Islam about 700 years ago doesn't change our basic identity as Kashmiris. Kashmir existed as a sovereign state both during its pre-Islamic history, and afterward as well.
As for public opinion changing...well, I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you. I'm sure the French thought that the Algerian independence movement was a passing fad too...
The sooner India realizes that maintaining a full-on military occupation in Kashmir (because that's what it takes to keep Kashmir in India) is a waste of her resources, the sooner we can all move on and India can actually start focusing on improving the miserable situation in places like UP and Bihar (where the people actually WANT to be a part of India).