Comments on: Review of Kashmir by Sumantra Bose

by: Kumar

Mon, 20 Feb 2006 11:33:46 +0000

All the disputes between India and Pakistan is because of Kashmir. There is no rear lines that’s why problem creat on border and both go to war over Kashmir. But the Government now refine the policies for bringing stability in the entire state of J&K.

by: Primary Red

Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

It is a mistaken notion that only the “jingoistic Hindu chauvinists” stand in the way of settlement in Kashmir.

As a secular, right-of-center thinker, this writer believes that even if one focuses on the so-called “root cause” of the Kashmir problem, and one sets aside jingoism, one is left with the inescapble conclusion that neither India nor the world can afford yet another political system such as those exist in Pakistan and Bangladesh.

These systems neither promote freedom nor equality. Even if, and this is an absurd hypothetical, all Kashmiris were to decide they want a Pakistan-like State, their wish cannot be granted — no people have the right to choose a system that reduces freedom and equality.

See more at:

http://secular-right.blogspot.com/2004/11/kashmir_21.html

Regards.

by: Dilip D'Souza

Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Thank you Sauvik, Yazad — and Sumantra Bose — for these thoughts on KAshmir. I visited the state for the first time (!) this year, now three times, and I found many echoes of my experiences just in Sauvik’s review, some of which I’m trying to write about in my own way. So I am going to get the book now.

I also want to say that Kashmir is a tragedy not least because of attitudes like Permanent Red’s (who otherwise I have a deal of respect for): “no people have the right to choose a system that reduces freedom and equality” is absurd. Though in different words, this is more or less what Churchill had to say about Indian independence. What SA had to say about SA and Namibian independence. I could go on.

by: Dilip D'Souza

Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

What SA had to say about SA and Namibian independence

Sorry, this should have been clearer: what I meant of course was, “what SA under apartheid had to say about revoking apartheid and Namibian independence.” You could say that revoking apartheid equates to SA independence, but still, I should have been clearer.

by: Primary Red

Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Is Dileep seriously comparing our liberal democracy to apartheid in an attempt to defend the right of jihadists to forge a Pakistan-style quasi-religious dictatorship?

My respect for his eloquence is tremendous but his assumption that all political ideas are equal is a deeply dangerous intellectual construct.

No, jihadis who behead young Kashmiri women for not wearing veils do not have an equal political idea to ours.

No, soldiers who overthrow elected leaders — and sometimes hang them — do not have an equal political idea to ours.

No, States that wrap themselves in particular faiths while diminishing others do not have an equal political idea to ours.

Or do they, Dileep?

by: Primary Red

Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Just noticed that I misspelled Dilip’s name. This was inadvertent and I hope Dilip will ignore my lapse.

PR.

by: sauvik

Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

i think we should also look at the ECONOMIC COST of kashmir. in british times, the state of jammu & kashmir contributed both men and materials to the govt of india. today, acording to muzaffar beg, finance minister of j&k, whom i met, the state can only meet 10 per cent of its annual budget: the rest comes from the govt of india. add to that the huge costs of the army, bsf, crpf, rashtriya rifles, ladakh scouts and local police. add to that the 3 crore a day spent on siachen (and this is going on for over 20 years. add to that the 24,000 crores manmohan has just gifted away to the j&k govt. my point is: what is the use of holding on to territory at such a huge cost - plus add human lives lost in the battle.
as someone once told me : kashmir is a ‘non-performing asset’. we indians who pay these taxes should refuse to support the government of india’s continued occuption of that territory.

by: sauvik

Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

one small error on yazad’s part: this review was first published in the new york sun. it later appeared in greater kashmir.

by: Another Blog in the Wall

Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

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by: The Biography Place

Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

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