The Religious Dimension in the Kashmiri Conflict

Slides:



Advertisements
Similar presentations
South Asia Gains Independence! h For years, independent movements lead by Gandhi made little leeway in India’s independence h After WWII, Great Britain.
Advertisements

Elizabeth Mtshali, Mackenzie Goertel, Jeannie Pundor, Valentin Le Besnerais The Beginning The Beginning How Can We Help?
Unit XXII – Colonialism and Independence in India and Pakistan The Colonial Period (1-4) The Independence Movement (5-11) Kashmir (12-17) Copyright 2006;
TEKS 8C: Calculate percent composition and empirical and molecular formulas. Modern Conflicts Divide Nations.
Kashmir Controversy Presented by Ven Merja. The Kashmir conflict is a territorial dispute over Kashmir. The Kashmir conflict is a territorial dispute.
In our November 22 issue, you’ll read how a family in Bangalore, like many others across India, has risen from poverty and helped transform India into.
The Partition of 1947 Photo courtesy: abro
Clashes of Ethnicities
© 2015 albert-learning.com Kashmir KASHMIR. © 2015 albert-learning.com Kashmir Vocabulary Autonomous : Having the freedom to act independently Monarchs.
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN STUDIES
Kashmir By Yash Desai.
How dangerous is the Kashmir dispute? How dangerous is the Kashmir dispute? It is potentially one of the most dangerous disputes in the world and in the.
The Partition of 1947 Photo courtesy: abro
How dangerous is the Kashmir dispute? How dangerous is the Kashmir dispute? It is potentially one of the most dangerous disputes in the world and in the.
Agenda for the day! -Map of the Middle East -Middle East Mini-Essay -Religious conflicts - Kashmir.
+ Warm-up Take out your homework. Use your knowledge of the founding of the United States to answer the following questions: What is a colony? What geographic.
The Relation and Separation of Church and State CPW4U Mr. Carney 2011.
Q8. Ho Choong Kai, Ma Si Cheng, Nicholas Phung-Zhang.
The Indian Subcontinent Achieves Freedom
Human Geography of South Asia: A Region of Contrasts TULOSO-MIDWAY HIGH SCHOOL.
Decolonization and Independence in Africa and Asia circa Push for Freedom from European Imperialism.
Colonization Timeline
Terms/ Concepts for your notes: In addition to the previous printout Line of Control Kashmir Wars – –1965 –1971 –Kargil War (1999) Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Account for the development of cultural differences in a continental /sub continental region of your choice that you have studied.
Aim: How did the conflict between Muslims and Hindus impact the creation of Pakistan? Do Now: Ethnic relations at Grover Cleveland. AIM/Goal: How did the.
British Imperialism in India Where is India? End of Mughal Rule 1600s, the British East India Company set up trading posts at Bombay, Madras, and Calcutta.
PEOPLE, ECONOMY, AND GOVERNMENT OF SOUTH ASIA.
A Controversy Over Territory.  The end of British rule in 1947 divided India  Each Indian state could decide if they wanted to join India or remain.
MODERN HISTORY SOUTH ASIA NOTES #3. BRITISH COLONIZE INDIA British able to win control of India by setting up trading posts. Textiles (cloth) were the.
India Pakistan Conflict.  Ancient India was land to many rulers and emperors whose religious influence was very impactful on the people.  The Aryans.
Table of Contents I. Colonization II. Nationalism and Independence III. War/Peace and Results IV. Other Major Events.
Imperialism and Colonial India. Definition One country’s domination of the political, economic, and social life of another country.
Partition of India Cultural Conflicts: Religion Toda y.
EUROPEAN RETREAT FROM EMPIRE AND THE AFTERMATH
Unit 9 South Asia. South Asia and Southeast Asia make up the two regions in Southern Asia.
“You want soma this?”. Conflicts between Hindus & Muslims Separate homeland created for Muslims (Pakistan) India & Pakistan both seek control of Kashmir.
I. U.S. Urban Ethnic Diversity. A. Distribution of Ethnicities 1. In the U.S.: – clustering of ethnicities – African-American migration patterns 2.Ethnicity.
The Indian Subcontinent Gains Independence
Partition 1947 –Aug 14 th : Pakistan Independent (midnight) –Aug 15 th : India Independent 1948: –Jan 4 th : Myanmar (Burma) Independent –Feb 4 th : Sri.
Population Pressure  India is the second most populous country on Earth.  India makes up 2.4% of the world’s land mass but 16% of the world’s population.
The Cold War Begins Conflicts Divide Nations Section 1 Explain the complex causes of ethnic and religious conflicts. Describe how war ravaged Chechnya.
Emily, Claire, Krum, Maud. August India and Pakistan gain independence from Britain September- Muslims are killed in Jammu and thousands flee.
South Asia Notes South Asia Nuclear Proliferation Jammu and Kashmir.
Government in South Asia January 29, After Independence  When Britain first granted the Indian colony its independence, the Indian National Congress.
World Gold Agenda 10/8/15  Map Quiz #2  5 minutes for review  Mini Unit: Kashmir  Editorial Cartoon  Small group research  Class Timeline  Secretary.
Pakistan. Basic Facts Population: 159 million ( July 2004 est.) Rural: 65% Urban: 35% Per capital income: US$ 652 Export: Cotton, textile goods, rice,
Indian Nationalism & Decolonization Gandhi and the Indian National Congress… Non-Violent, Non- Cooperation.
TEKS 8C: Calculate percent composition and empirical and molecular formulas. Chapter 19 Section 1 Independence in South Asia.
Conflict over Kashmir.
Pakistan and Kashmir.
TEKS 8C: Calculate percent composition and empirical and molecular formulas. Modern Conflicts Divide Nations.
CHAPTER 19 LESSON 1 SOUTH AND SOUTHEAST ASIA Independence and Nationalism in the Developing World.
SOUTH ASIA: INDIA & PAKISTAN
AIM: HOW DID GANDHI HELP INDIA OBTAIN ITS INDEPENDENCE?
Partition.
ChAPTER 8: POLITICAL CONFLICTS
** The Dispute over Kashmir**
Unit 13 Notes Independence Movements and Human Rights
Objectives Explain the complex causes of ethnic and religious conflicts. Describe how war ravaged Chechnya. Understand how Yugoslavia broke apart.
I. U.S. Urban Ethnic Diversity
Ethnicities into Nationalities
Kashmir: Territory in Turmoil
Describe the impact of Mohandas Gandhi’s belief in non-violent protest
India and Pakistan Conflict
Independence in South Asia
Indo- PaK Relations Dissolution of the British Raj in 1947
Independence Movements and Human Rights
• Hinduism is one of the world’s oldest religions
CHAPTER 8 National Self-Determination
TIMELINE OF THE KASHMIR CONFLICT
Presentation transcript:

The Religious Dimension in the Kashmiri Conflict Presentation for B0B50a Capita Selecta. Current Issues (II) of Society, Law and Religion 2014-15 Student: Nathan Horne

Introduction The conflict over Kashmir is an interesting topic of discussion in relation to the themes studied in the Capita Selecta II course due to the fact that religion plays a central role in the disputes. This presentation will consider the background to the situation in Kashmir and how religion has had an important influence over the years. Some of the research carried out by the Berkley Centre for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University, (August 2013) will be considered.

The historical background of the situation in Kashmir

Background - The Separation Kashmir is a country in the north-western region of South Asia which borders Pakistan, India and China. To understand the conflict in Kashmir it is necessary to bear in mind the impact of colonialism on that region. In 1848 Kashmir was sold by the British Raj to Hindu Dogra kings. Although living in harmony until this point, a division between Hindus and Muslims began to emerge. Following the 1947 partition of India into a Muslim majority and a Hindu majority, a conflict began between Pakistan and India concerning the border region of Kashmir.

Background - Conflict Begins Due to its location Kashmir could have joined India or Pakistan. Maharaja Hari Singh, who was the ruler of Kashmir was himself Hindu, but most of his subjects were Muslim. As a result he decided to be neutral on the issue. In October 1947 Pakistan ordered Muslim tribesmen to enter the Kashmiri capital Srinagar. This forced Hari Singh to seek the assistance of India where he eventually signed the ‘Instrument of Accession’ handing Kashmir over to India. This resulted in the first of three wars.

Background - The Wars The three wars took place in the region during 1947, 1965 and 1971. The 1947 conflict was the first war. The dispute was handed over to the United Nations by India. A resolution led to the gradual removal of troops in both countries, although Pakistan continued to fight until a ceasefire in 1949. 65 per cent of Kashmir was now under the control of India, with the rest controlled by Pakistan. Another conflict started in 1965 which was ended when the leaders of the countries signed the Tashkent agreement. In 1971 a war began in the region over the independence of East Pakistan which became the new nation of Bangladesh. The conflict over Kashmir continues to this day.

Background - Map of the Region The borders of Kashmir extend into India, Pakistan and China. Pakistan controls two of these regions: Azad and the northern territories. India controls three regions: Ladakh, Jammu and the Kashmir valley. The Line of Control although not legally recognised, has remained the de facto boundary between Indian and Pakistani controlled areas since the Simla Agreement in 1972.

Religion in the Kashmiri Conflict Current Issues

Religion in Kashmir The religious element is one of a number of factors in the rise of violence and division in the region of Kashmir. According to recent statistics the Kashmir Valley, along with the capital Srinagar, is dominated by Muslims as they account for 95 percent of approximately six million people resident there. The region of Jammu is dominated by Hindus as they account for 67 percent of approximately 5 million people there, followed by Muslims at 30 percent. The division of Muslims according to ethnicity in Jammu and Kashmir has increased difficulties in the region. The Ladakh region has a mixture of both Buddhist and Shi’a Muslims. Source: Kashmir: Religious Diversity Becomes Religious Militancy, Berkley Centre for Religion, Peace & World Affairs (Georgetown University) Religion and Conflict Case Study Series, August 2013.

The Rise of Religious Actors In 1999, the religious conflict within Kashmir became more apparent, a year which gave rise to the Kargil conflict. This began after Pakistan moved a number of troops over the Line of Control into the Indian side. The conflict was distinctive due to the prevalence of religious actors on both sides of the dispute. Both India and Pakistan experienced religious revivalism and religious nationalism in the lead up to this conflict.

Division according to Religious Beliefs The leader in Pakistan, General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, was critical of what he saw as secular and Western influences on the country and so decided to introduce a program in which Islam would be promoted. As a result of this campaign, the differences between the two nations were highlighted more than ever before. Pakistan was seen as a the mainly Muslim nation which contrasted to India where Hinduism was more prevalent. Religious nationalists began to make themselves heard at the governmental level, and as they strove to gain advantage in Kashmir, the Kargil conflict erupted.

Religion as a Tool for Conflict Kashmir was known as a place where different religions were generally respected as people lived more often than not in harmony. This harmony was described as kashmiriyat (Kashmir amity). Since the 1980’s, sectarian violence began to grow in the region which has triggered the Kashmiri people to take sides, often according to their own religious beliefs. The role of the governments in using religion as a way to influence citizens, and thus bolster their policies in Kashmir, has also had a significant impact on the conflict.

Instances of Religious Extremism The destruction of the Babri Mosque by Hindu extremists in 1992 led to more tension in Kashmir. The Pakistani government has also shown elements of support towards religious extremists, such as Jihadists, in dealing with the conflict. Whilst religious harmony was to a greater degree a hallmark of life in Kashmir, the influence of governments and political leaders have succeeded, it seems, in using religion as a way to divide people rather than to unite them together.

Conclusion Looking to the future

Final Thoughts The longevity of this conflict and the fact that it remains unresolved is captured in this quotation by Li Peng:

Future Solutions In researching future solutions for Kashmir the BBC suggest the following possibilities for a peaceful resolution. However, each solution has positive and negative consequences for all concerned. A smaller independent Kashmir An Independent Kashmir Valley Kashmir divided along the line of the River Chenab which was proposed first in the 1960’s. Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/south_asia/03/kashmir_future/html/default.stm

Conclusion Whilst there is a religious element in the conflict in Kashmir, this is not a war over religious beliefs, but rather religious affiliations have caused (to some extent) partitions to form between the peoples and nations. This point is comparable to the situation in Ireland where Catholics and Protestants were divided not over their religious beliefs per se, but rather religion was used as a way to demarcate people into separate groups. This demarcation often results in growing sectarianism and consequently increased violence between competing factions. Any future resolution in Kashmir will always have to take into account the way in which religion has been employed (for better or for worse) in this conflict.