By: Habib Ur Rehman
For decades, the world has watched the tragedy of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) unfold. This has been such a long-standing debate that many people are negative about it. Governments, leaders and ordinary people now see it as a far-reaching issue that is very difficult to resolve. But while the world has changed, the people of Kashmir, especially the youth, are still suffering in silence. For Kashmir to achieve self-determination, the world needs to confront the following questions: Will the current issue be resolved if Kashmir is in close proximity to powerful countries like the US, France or Israel? If Kashmir is in the backyard of a NATO country, is the issue still unresolved, or will it be decided with or without the cooperation of international organisations? This bitter truth exposes the system that seems to be the centre of justice, keeping millions of people in Kashmir in a perpetual state of conflict.
The important state of Kashmir has become the hub of territorial disputes. The United Nations intervened in 1948 and 1949 by passing resolutions promising the Kashmiri people the right to determine their future through a plebiscite (United Nations Digital Library, Resolutions 47 and 91). But 75 years later, this promise has yet to be fulfilled.
Over time, the urgency surrounding the Kashmir issue has faded, with governments and international institutions treating it as a manageable conflict rather than a humanitarian crisis. Even in Kashmir, many people have learned to live by toil. But the normalisation of oppression does not mean the end of suffering. For young children and adolescents born into conflict, the suffering is new, and the future remains uncertain. Children born after 1990 have grown up amidst restrictions, protests and violence. Their education is frequently disrupted, their mobility is limited, and their mental health is affected by the trauma of growing up in a harsh military environment.
More than 700,000 Indian soldiers live in the region, making it one of the most militarised regions in the world (Human Rights Watch, “India: Abuses Persist in Jammu and Kashmir,” World Report 2022). Many have physical and emotional scars. Some family members have been lost to the violence. In contrast, others have been injured by pellet guns, which are often criticized for causing permanent blindness (Amnesty International, “Losing Sight in Kashmir: The Impact of Pellet-Firing Shotguns,” 2019). The stress of living with a standing army can overwhelm even the most ambitious. How can children dream of a better tomorrow when today is filled with fear and uncertainty? These young people are not the only victims; they are the victims of world apathy.
International responses to Kashmir vary greatly depending on how they resolve the strategic regional conflicts of powerful nations. History shows that the urgency to resolve the situation is even greater when a crisis occurs near a NATO power or a country with international influence. For example, in the Kosovo, East Timor and Libya conflict Rapid International Response, interests rather than principles often drive Emphasis on Global action. In the Israel-Palestine conflict, Israel has received the same support, not because it speaks for justice, but because of its military power, economic influence and, especially, its strong cooperation with the US. India’s status as a global economic hub and army power gives it ample international support and enables it to prove that the Kashmiri law is wrong. Meanwhile, Pakistan, despite its modesty, does not have the same power to counter India’s rhetoric. This illustrates the absurdity: Power and capability are often not seen as fair and just in international politics. Does international law apply only to the powerful? If not, why has the world left the people of Kashmir alone for so long?
The suffering in Kashmir is not only the result of India’s oppressive policies. It reflects the failures of multiple actors. India has taken harsh measures to suppress the Kashmiri people, including the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 and the stripping of the region of its independence (Government of India, “The Constitution of India: Article 370,” Ministry of Law and Justice). Civil reform is being implemented through new family registration laws to marginalise Kashmir’s Muslim majority (Al Jazeera, “Kashmir: Domicile Certificates Issued to 25,000 Indians,” June 27, 2020). The intense militancy in the region and the implementation of draconian laws such as the Public Safety Act (PSA) have made daily life impossible for ordinary Kashmiris, who have long defended Kashmir’s right to self-determination but have struggled to maintain strong and consistent leadership.
Meanwhile, Pakistan, which has long supported Kashmir’s right to self-determination, has struggled to maintain a strong and cohesive presence. Political divisions, the rule of law, and inconsistent policies have undermined Pakistan’s ability to function effectively. Domestically, the lack of unity among the political parties, military and other institutions has created tensions for India, which has often used it as an excuse to avoid the benefits of negotiations. Kashmir has been neglected. Trade and relations with India have often been fraught with concerns about human rights violations in IIOJK. The failure of international organisations such as the United Nations to implement their own solutions has left millions of people in Kashmir feeling abandoned. How can the United Nations maintain its credibility as an international organisation for justice and peace when its resolution on the Kashmir issue has not yet been implemented? The world must also reflect on its broader priorities. Do human rights and justice principles matter only when strategic interests are involved? Or are they universal values that apply to all, including the people of Kashmir? By continuing to ignore their plight, the global community risks reinforcing the idea that justice is reserved for the powerful while the weak are left to suffer.
The Kashmir conflict is not just a territorial dispute but a moral crisis and a test of the world’s conscience. While the global community has grown used to the status quo, the younger generations in Kashmir continue to bear the weight of its failure. They live in a world where promises mean nothing, justice is reserved for the powerful, and their dreams are stolen before they can take root.
Indian Illegally Occupied Kashmir is not just a regional dispute but a test of the world’s conscience. If global powers continue to prioritise alliances and strategic interests over justice, millions will remain trapped in oppression. The question is simple yet profound: Does might define right in today’s world?
The writer is a scholar of International Relations at the National Defence University, Islamabad, an internee at the Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR), and the founder of HEAL Pakistan, an initiative focused on humanity, education empowerment, awareness and leadership. He can be reached at habibmail.1947@gmail.com
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