Kashmir

Tensions in the disputed region of Kashmir have escalated after India moved to revoke the autonomy of the region (1), causing Pakistan to reaffirm its claim to the territory (2) and threaten military intervention (3). India claims the move will help to root out “terrorism” (4) and return the region to “past glory” (5). However, the local response is far from appreciative of India’s efforts (6) and the curfews (7) and phone blackouts that have come with it (8). Pakistan has responded by boycotting the Bollywood sector (9) and increasing border security (10), while India has pushed to increase their missile strength (11).

Modi’s government is considering that the “special status” afforded to Kashmir is facilitating the spread of extremism (12) as calls for jihad against India (13) and “unrelenting blows” against the government (14) have been issued by Islamic clerics. Little good has historically been seen by nations attempting to hold on to Muslim-majority regions as their proclivity to consider themselves “Muslim first” causes tensions to rise in periods of unrest between themselves and their neighbours (15). Religious clerics calling for jihad exasperates efforts of integration and normalisation, and usually ends up leading to economic woes for the regions involved.

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References

1. India moves to revoke Kashmir autonomy amid spike of tensions around disputed region

2. Pakistan passes resolution against India’s Kashmir move

3. Pakistani army ready go to ‘any extent’ to support Kashmiris – chief of staff

4. India’s Modi vows to rid Kashmir of terror and hold local elections -Nikkei Asian Review

5. ‘A return to its past glory’: Modi defends stripping Kashmir’s special status, urges new approach

6. ‘Our life has been made hell’: fury in Kashmir after India clampdown

7. India is controlling people in Kashmir with a maze of razor wire that changes configuration...

8. The phone and internet blackout in Kashmir is so total that locals don’t know India rewrote their...

9. After ban on screening Indian films, Pakistan goes after its adverts & Bollywood merchandise

10. Pakistan to Deploy More Drones on Border With India to Foil Balakot-Like Strikes – Report

11. India Rushes to Bridge Missiles Gap with Pakistan Air Force

12. India’s Modi Brands Abolished Article 370 as Pakistani ‘Tool’, Source of Graft and Terrorism

13. Kashmir crisis: Pakistani cleric (& open advocate of bin Laden) declares ‘jihad’ on India

14. Al-Qaeda Chief Tells Kashmiri Separatists to ‘Bleed India Through Unrelenting Terror Attacks’