Page 210 - Islam and Far Eastern Religions
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              controlled. The Kashmiri population seeks either to become an indepen-
              dent Muslim nation or wishes to merge with Pakistan. For decades they

              have been forced to live with an economic embargo, violence, unjustified
              arrests, torture and bombings.
                   The Indian subcontinent was under British colonial administration
              until after the end of the Second World War. When the colonial powers
              withdrew from the area, Indian Muslims sought their own independent
              country and founded Pakistan in 1947. Pakistan and India agreed on a
              population exchange and many Muslims subsequently migrated from

              India to Pakistan. However, India managed to keep the predominantly
              Muslim district of Jammu-Kashmir within its control by means of vari-
              ous political intrigues and the support of the British and ever since, the
              Kashmiri people live under the oppression of radical Hindus.
                   To begin with, India opposed the formation of an independent
              Muslim state, which is why they were frustrated by the founding of the
              Pakistani nation. Kashmir became the central issue between the two
              governments. Two wars were fought over the issue of Kashmir, but the
              problem remains unresolved. At present, one part of Kashmir is under
              Pakistani administration (called Free Kashmir), but most of it remains

              under Indian occupation. The UN passed a resolution to let the Kashmiri
              people decide between India and Pakistan in a referendum, but the
              Indian government has thus far refused to comply. Understandably,
              Kashmiri freedom fighters have their organizational bases in Pakistan,
              which is why India is so hostile towards this country. India is lobbying
              international organizations to pressure Pakistan in this regard. India
              poses a great threat to Pakistan’s security with its nuclear capability.

              Pakistan, a nuclear power herself, is constantly pressured by the inter-
              national community, which turns a blind eye when it comes to India’s
              nuclear arsenal.



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