GLH+P4+2015+Kashmir

__Historical: Mikaila Bantugan__ An overlooked yet significant event in the history of Kashmir is the Kashmir Conflict, a war that continues today fought by India and Pakistan for over sixty-four years over the land. The first days of the war took place in 1947 when the Kashmiri people fought against British rule for independence, but were forced to decide to join either India or Pakistan; Hindu leader of Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh chose to remain neutral. Muslims from Pakistan invaded and Kashmir requested help from India which led to the first war. An article states, “The fear of a full-scale war (with nuclear capability adding a deadly dimension), coupled with precarious economies and the knowledge of what international sanctions could do to them, may have prevailed in both countries” (//A Brief History of the Kashmir Conflict// 1). The United Nations were called to action and resolved the issue, but the peace did not remain for long. Kashmir allied with India and persevered to fight a 1949 ceasefire resulting in Pakistan controlling a third of the land and India controlling the rest. Full on war resumed in 1972; in modern society, the tension accumulates as constant nuclear threats do the same. In addition to the violence, human rights become a concern in the situation. An article states, “In the meantime, grave human right violations by the Indian security forces, such as arbitrary arrests, torture, rape and extrajudicial killings, continue to be reported, being extensively documented by human rights organizations. Violence and human right violations by militants continue” (//Kashmir: Nuclear Flashpoint// 1). The history continues to affect the written text today. All sides of the conflict have experienced loss, fear and death over land. Works Cited "A Brief History of the Kashmir Conflict." //The Telegraph//. Telegraph Media Group, 24 Sept. 2001. Web. 22 Feb. 2015. "Kashmir: Nuclear Flashpoint." //Kashmir Timeline | Kashmir History | Kashmir Conflict | Kashmir Insurgency | Kashmir Dispute//. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2015.
 * Kashmir **

__AIM: Elizabeth Ramirez__ Despite the conflict over Kashmir that has existed between India and Pakistan for many years, the people are finally working towards a solution. In realization of the amount of lives lost and in fear of nuclear war, small steps have been taken in the attempt of agreeance. One article states, "India and Pakistan have since February 2010  embarked on a series of confidence building measures and held regular peace talks. Both countries say that they are eager to end the dispute ” (BBC News 1). The endless argument has not only worn out the people fighting, but everyone in Kashmir as a whole. By initiating a stop to the violence on both sides, the people could potentially resolve their differences. It is said in an article that peace would be “An end to the violence and uncertainty” and “would also be widely welcomed in India and Pakistan” (BBC News 1). Although there has been no recent news on any further plans to help ensure a real truce between the two countries, many people are hopeful towards a future resolution. The basis of timespan in which a resolution could be reached is still unknown, but either way, effective measures are being taken. Works Cited "Q&A: Kashmir Dispute." // BBC News //. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2015. "Kashmir: Conflict Profile." // Insight on Conflict //. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2015.

__Cultural: Racquel James__ The land of Jammu and Kashmir, which lies between the countries of Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and China, holds the strange, yet beautifully diverse, Kashmiri culture. An article on Indianetzone.com states “Culture of Jammu and Kashmir is distinct and diverse, encompassing the various habits and lifestyles of the people inhabiting the regions of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh” ( // Culture of Jammu and Kashmir // 1). Many of the Kashmiri people have come from their previous cultures in search of independence to express their religion freely. Due to this migration for rights, many different ethnic groups, carrying with them their religion, blend together in the lands of Jammu and Kashmir. A slideshow on the culture of Kashmir states “The population living in the Valley of Kashmir is primarily homogeneous, despite the divide between Muslims (94%), Hindus (4%), and Sikhs (2%)” (Mushtaq 5). With this diverse and broad range of ethnicities and religions, the people of Kashmir have come together to form quite an interesting culture. This culture contains a mix of languages and traditions from the past, as well as new festivals and art. The Kashmir culture has even left its mark on the pages of Indian literature; the book called Rajatarangini has become quite remarkable in noting the history of such diverse people, as well as Indian culture. Although the culture of these people may be as rich as bill gates, the community thrives because they all came there for freedom. Works Cited "Culture of Jammu and Kashmir." //Culture of Jammu and Kashmir. IndiaNetzone//, 19 Sept. 2014. Web. 25 Feb. 2015. Mushtaq, Mevish. "Kashmiri Culture." //Kashmiri Culture//. Slideshare, 18 Aug. 2013. Web. 25 Feb. 2015.

__Audience: Sarah Cook__ Muslims living in the Kashmir region make up the majority of the population with a small percent living as Hindus. Because Pakistan is a nation with mostly Muslim citizens, they believed it was right to own Kashmir because of the high Muslim population. Those who would be affected by Kashmir are the people living in Kashmir, Muslims, and limited Hindus. If Kashmir were to be taken over by Pakistan, the Hindu population may be in danger. BBC states, “ In 1947-8 India and Pakistan fought their first war over Jammu and Kashmir. Under United Nations' supervision, they agreed to a ceasefire along a line which left one-third of the state - comprising what Pakistan calls Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and the Northern Areas administered by Pakistan and two-thirds, Jammu, Ladakh and the Kashmir Valley, administered by India”(1). In the part of Kashmir where Pakistan had control, 99% of the people were Muslim, but under the control of India, those 4% left were not Muslim. The non-muslims living in Kashmir are safer to express their religion in the parts where India has control rather than Pakistan. Because Pakistan and India were fighting over the land, the people of Kashmir were split, “a ceasefire along a line which left one-third of the state” (BBC 1). The Hindus would be greatly affected based on which country is controlling them. In the Indian-administered Kashmir, there is more variety in religion.

Works Cited "The Future of Kashmir?" //BBC News//. BBC, n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2015. “Kashmir” //Wikimedia//. Wikipedia. Web. 26 Feb. 2015.

Mushtaq, Mevish. "Kashmiri Culture." //Kashmiri Culture//. Slideshare, 18 Aug. 2013. Web. 25 Feb. 2015.