Why Is Kashmir a Disputed Territory Between India and Pakistan ?

 

    The Jammu and Kashmir issue is one of the most sensitive issues for the Indians since Independence. After 74 years of independence the problem has not been resolved. The actual geographical area of Jammu and Kashmir is 2,22,236 sq km. But today India has the domination of only 1,06,566 sq km of the original state of J&K. 72,935 sq km of area is illegally occupied by the Pakistani force, which is know as Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK). China Occupied Kashmir (COK) consists of 37,555 sq km of Aksai Chin, which is occupied by China. Later Pakistan illegally leased Shaksgam Valley, Indian Territory in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (POK) to China in exchange for military and nuclear technology in 1963.

How does The Problem Arise ?

    The source of the problem is rooted in the history of India's Independence.

 Indian independence Act, 1947 :

    Lord Mountbatten , the viceroy of India, brought out the partition plan also known as the Mountbatten plan on 3rd june, 1947. According to this plan, Indian Independence Act was enacted on 20th July. The act ended the British rule in india and divided the country into two nations : India and Pakistan.

The act granted freedom to the princely states to join either the dominion of India or the dominion of Pakistan or to remain independent not joining either of these two dominions. 

 Accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India :

The ruler of the state Jammu and Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh decided not to join either India or Pakistan and remain independent as an independent Nation. 

But Pakistan did not accept this decision as the people of the state was mostly Muslims. So the Pakistani army attacked the state on 20th october, 1947. 

In this circumstances Maharaja Hari Singh asked the indian government for help and agreed to join the dominion of India. The agreement 'Instrument of Accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India' was signed by Jawaharlal Nehru and Maharaja Hari Singh.

 Aftermath the Agreement :

    After the accession, Jammu and Kashmir became a part of India but it conceded 1/3rd  of the territory to Pakistan. Indian army stopped the mission after recovering 2/3rd part of the territory from the Pakistani force . This decision, taken by the then Indian Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, was a big blunder. He then went to the United nations and asked to mediate into the kashmir issue.

UN Resolution on Jammu and Kashmir :

    The United Nations Security Council published the 'Resolution 47' on 21st April 1948. The resolution recommended a three-step solution for the resolution of the dispute. In the first step, Pakistan was asked to withdraw the Pakistani troops immediately, who entered into the territory illegally. In the second step, India was asked to reduce its forces gradually to the minimum level required for law and order. In the third step, India was asked to appoint a plebiscite administrator nominated by the United Nations who would conduct a free and impartial plebiscite. But the resolution was never implemented. The pakistan government did not accept the resolution .

    Present Scenario :

    Since independence Jammu and Kashmir is the matter of dispute between india and Pakistan. Half of the territory is still occupied by Pakistan and China. Different nations and International organisations tried to mediate, but went in vain. India has witnessed many terrorist attack over the years and many civilians and soilders have lost their lives.

          The dispute will not be resolved until India gets back the remaining part of the territory of J&K.