Kashmir: how Modi’s aggressive ‘Hindutva’ project has brought India and Pakistan to the brink – again

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Abdullah Yusuf, University of Dundee September 9, 2019

August is immensely important in the history of the Asian subcontinent, marking the month that India and Pakistan gained independence from the British in 1947. Now, in 2019, it has once again proved momentous, when, ten days before India’s Independence day celebrations, prime minister Narendra Modi’s government revoked the autonomy of Indian-administered Kashmir – a status provided for under the Indian Constitution.

This latest move was a manifesto pledge from Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which claims that Kashmir’s autonomy has hindered its development while fostering an area of thriving terrorism and smuggling.


Read more: Kashmiris are living a long nightmare of Indian colonialism


Soon, thousands of troops were deployed and the valley region faced unprecedented lockdown. Experts say that Modi’s move to tether the Muslim majority of Kashmir is a gamble that could trigger conflict with Pakistan while reigniting an insurgency that has already cost tens of thousands of lives.

Kashmir: a brief history

Until 1947, Kashmir was a territorially well-defined and functional state that had existed for a century before its seizure by the British in 1846. The British decolonisation of the subcontinent in 1947 was instrumental in creating disorder that pushed Kashmir into a repeated cycle of war and stalemate between Pakistan and India, which have both claimed the region as sovereign territory for the last 70 years.

Today, Kashmir’s geopolitical position and glacial water reserves – which provide fresh water and hydro-electric power to millions – add an extra dimension to the existing sectarian and ideological conflict between India and Pakistan over this small northern region.

The Kashmir issue has resulted in three wars between these two countries – in 1947, 1965 and 1999 – triggering numerous UN Security Council Resolutions – which unequivocally call for the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination.

Modi’s Hindu nationalist project

Many within the region feel that Modi’s BJP is brazenly trying to change Kashmir’s ethnic composition to disadvantage India’s Muslim minority by encouraging more Hindus into the region. Since the revocation of Article 370 (which assured the region’s autonomy), Indian Kashmiri leaders who vehemently opposed the decision – including two former chief ministers – have been sent to jail.

Modi’s government has a history of stoking tensions between Hindus and Muslims, with its political rule now focused on “Hindutva”, which translates roughly as “Hindu-ness”, and reframes Hinduism as an identity rather than a theology or religion.

Modi has fostered Hindu nationalism through anti-Islamic rhetoric, accusing Muslim men of attempting to change India’s demographics by seducing Hindu women, as well as encouraging lynching of Muslims falsely accused of eating beef (from the sacred Hindu cow) in BJP controlled states. Clearly, these are tactics designed to expand the notion of Hindutva and further isolate the Muslim population within India. Targeting Kashmir is a crucial part of the strategy.

Dangerous tensions and nuclear options

In the wake of India’s decision to revoke Kashmir’s special status, there are two key questions.

First, will it be beneficial to Kashmir as claimed by Modi’s government? The situation on the ground would suggest not. After a month of curfew and lockdown, protests have turned violent. The Indian government has been unable to restore peace in the valley despite the increasing atrocities. According to news reports, 4,000 people have been arrested since the territory lost its status.

Second, how is the situation affecting the already tense relations between India and Pakistan? India’s land grab comes just five months after a breakdown in relations following claims by India that a Pakistani-based suicide bomber killed 44 Indian soldiers in the Kashmir region, leading to airstrikes by both sides. The situation threatens to reignite this conflict with both countries cautioning the world about the nuclear option.

Addressing a joint session of Pakistan’s parliament on August 6, prime minister Imran Khan briefed lawmakers on the steps his government had taken towards peace in the region. But he maintained the situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir would deteriorate and its neighbour would blame and attack Pakistan.

Days later, Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh stated that India is committed to “no first use” of nuclear weapons, but future policy is dependent on the ever-evolving circumstances. These sentiments have led to international debate over the possibility of nuclear weapons being unleashed.

Parallels with East Timor

With this nuclear threat ever present, the situation in Kashmir is now one of the most dangerous in the world. Since the two countries have consistently failed to make any progress, external help from the international community and the UN is crucial in resolving the conflict and preventing further escalation.

As the world witnessed in the case of East Timor in 1999, independence from Indonesia after two decades of bloodshed was achieved following a referendum held under the stewardship of the UN. This result was not accepted by Indonesia, which launched a scorched-earth campaign, killing more than 1,500 Timorese, displacing nearly half the population, and razing much of East Timor to the ground.

The subsequent progression towards independence and peacebuilding was facilitated by external bodies such as the UN-mandated International Force in East Timor and the Transitional Administration in East Timor, underscoring the importance of support from both the UN and the international community.

The UN didn’t achieve success overnight, but endured through increasing international pressure, combined with a change in the Suharto government. Soon, Indonesia found itself falling out of favour with the international community.

There are parallels here for the Kashmir situation. Although progress may be slow while Modi’s populist BJP remains in power, pressure from the international community would likely go a long way towards pulling both countries back from the brink. In the meantime, while Modi tries to remake India in the BJP’s Hindutva image, for Kashmiris the struggle for self-determination goes on.

Abdullah Yusuf, Lecturer in Politics, University of Dundee

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Published on September 5, 2019

1 COMMENT

  1. There is a magical curse on Modi which dooms all nations that he visits and dooms all those who come to meet him !

    The "Chaiwala Indian Dindoo Hindoo PM", has the "curse of satan on" him. The Satanic Effect ,has "3 layers" :

     The people "who come to meet" the Chaiwala Indian Dindoo Hindoo PM in Dindoo Hindoo Land

     The "people who invite" the Chaiwala Indian Dindoo Hindoo PM to come to their nation

     The "nation and city visited" by the Chaiwala Indian Dindoo Hindoo PM

    People say Y ? Simple ! The Dindoo Hindoo Bindoo PM of India is a Dindoo from the "lowest community of oilmen" (as per the Dindoo caste system) and is considered "the discharge,id.est., the sperm or the menstrual fluid" of Mlecchas (who are also considered scum)

    The Mahabharata, Book 8: Karna Parva: Section 45

     The mlecchas are the dirt of mankind: the "oilmen are the dirt of the Mlecchas"; eunuchs are the dirt of oilmen; they who avail of the priestly ministrations of Kshatriyas, in their sacrifices, are the dirt of eunuchs.

    The application of the "Theologically and Ontologically Tridented", Kant’s approach, is as under:

     For White nations, who are "born of Sarah and the Isaac" – the Jews (from Isaac) and Christians (from Esau) the disaster strikes in "less than 3 months",of the visit of the Satanic Dindoo Hindoo Limpet PM of India (For example the state of Israel and the Templars of Christos and Christ – Spain, Portugal and now America)

     For White nations, who are "not born of or do not follow",the faith of Sarah and Isaac – in the "70% plus majority" (like France,UK,Russia and Germany)-the disaster strikes in less than 6 months of the visit of the Satanic Dindoo Hindoo Limpet PM of India

     For Islamic nations who are born of "Hagar or Ishmael"-the disaster strikes,in "less than 3 months" of the date of "planning the visit" of the Satanic Dindoo Hindoo Limpet PM of India

     For Boodheeest nations – there are "no proximates" – as they are doomed by "definition, history,geography and theology"

     For Atheists – there is "immunity"

    The "Aristotelian Dialectic", in the above approach,for the sons of Isaac is in the Old Testament and the Babylonian Talmud

    The "Ghazali Dialectic", in the above approach,for the followers of Ishmael, would be the Koran and sections of the Hadeeth

    The people who "come to meet" the Chaiwala Indian Dindoo Hindoo PM, in "Dindoo Hindoo Land"

     Theresa May came to meet Chaiwala Indian PM – "she walked barefoot" ( on her lovely legs – imagine that !)

    https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/2136571/theresa-may-goes-barefoot-to-meet-indian-pm-narendra-modi-and-plays-hard-ball-over-illegal-immigrants/

     In 5 months . she "lost the election" and is a lameduck PM !

    https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/08/world/europe/theresa-may-britain-election-conservatives-parliament.html?mcubz=0&_r=0

     "Hollande" came to meet Chaiwala Indian PM (a human came from the land of Descartes,Molyneux and Voltaire)

    http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/liveblog/50703340.cms

     His "party lost the election", and is in the Dustbin of history

    https://www.ft.com/content/a4e5f15e-5442-11e7-80b6-9bfa4c1f83d2

     The "Kiwi PM" come to meet Chaiwala Indian PM – and his "plane almost crashed"

    http://in.reuters.com/article/newzealand-politics-india-idINKCN12O0JJ

     He "lost the polls", in less than 5 months

    http://www.news.com.au/world/new-zealand-prime-minister-john-key-resigns/news-story/f4bdfed0d4c0d5580f678f3c0042dd5f

     The "Portugese PM" came to India , to meet the Indian PM

    http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indian-origin-portuguese-pm-accorded-ceremonial-welcome-at-rashtrapati-bhawan/story-SGLMtsk4985tud9RW6gv7L.html

     The "worst ever disaster", struck Portugal

    http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/portugal-forest-fires-39-dead-pm-calls-disaster-tragedy-n773736

    The "people who invite" the Chaiwala Indian Dindoo Hindoo PM, to "come to their nation"

     "Portugal invited" the Indian Chaiwala PM, to visit Portugal

    http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pm-modi-to-visit-portugal-netherlands-in-june/articleshow/59186855.cms

     In less than 5 days – the "worst ever disaster", strikes Portugal

    http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/portugal-forest-fires-39-dead-pm-calls-disaster-tragedy-n773736

     "Trump invited" the Chaiwala Indian PM, to visit USA

    http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pm-modi-to-meet-us-president-donald-trump-in-washington-dc-in-june/story-8bg6JnEU36XxVhZymFxXrL.html

     In "less than 5 days" – Trump declared that "he was being investigated" by the FBI, by the VERY man, whom he appointed

    http://www.cnbc.com/2017/06/16/trump-says-he-is-under-investigation-strikes-out-at-justice-dept.html

     Within "3 months", the shooter checked(the 3 months rule) into Mandalay Bay on the 27th of September,2017 (on the last day of the 3 rd month)

    http://edition.cnn.com/2017/10/03/us/mandalay-bay-hotel-room-what-we-know/index.html

     Rest is History

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/10/02/las-vegas-strip-shooting-multiple-casualties-reported-near-mandalay/

    The "nation and city", visited by the Chaiwala Indian Dindoo Hindoo PM

     Chaiwala Indian PM was in USA on the 7th of June, with Trump

    http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/pm-narendra-modi-meets-us-president-donald-trump-key-takeaways/historic-meet/slideshow/59333005.cms

     A few days later,"mass shootings in Arkansas"

    http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/little-rock-mass-shooting-at-least-28-injured-in-arkansas-club-981487171816

     "Less than 1 month later" ,DPRK Gift to USA on 4h of July,2017

    https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-tells-north-korea-it-is-prepared-to-go-to-war-1499243864

    Chaiwala Indian PM "was in Germany", on the 29th of May

     In 35 days – 20 Germans killed, in "Freak bus accident" !

    http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-40479021

     Chaiwala Indian PM, was "in Houston" in June, with Trump

    https://www.thequint.com/news/india/pm-modi-might-address-madison-square-like-nri-event-texas

     "Once in 500 year rains", and storm surge strikes Houston – less than 3 months

    https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2017/8/28/16211392/100-500-year-flood-meaning

     Chaiwala Indian PM was in Florida in June, with Trump

    http://www.firstpost.com/world/narendra-modi-donald-trump-meet-pm-did-better-than-angela-merkel-but-he-played-it-safe-like-theresa-may-3749193.html

     "Category 5 Hurricane strikes" – less than 3 months

    http://edition.cnn.com/2017/09/10/us/hurricane-irma-florida-impact/index.html

     Chaiwala India PM Visits Mexico, in June 2016

    http://thediplomat.com/2016/06/how-modis-nuclear-agenda-matters-for-mexico/

     In 1 year, "the Biggest quake", strikes Mexico

    https://uk.news.yahoo.com/major-earthquake-off-mexico-coast-054553585.html

     Chaiwala Indian PM Went to Pakistan in December,2015

    http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/12/india-pm-modi-surprise-pakistan-visit-151225123932346.html

     The Pakistani PM is "sacked by" the Supreme Court

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/07/28/pakistan-court-disqualifies-prime-minister-nawaz-sharif/

     Chaiwala Indian PM, Went to Israel -July 6,2017

    http://www.thehindu.com/specials/narendra-modis-israel-visit/article19203329.ece

     Terror Attack in Israel -Jerusalem – July 3 rd week,2017

    http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/BREAKING-Stabbing-attack-at-Lions-Gate-Jerusalem-499691

    Chaiwala Indian PM "starts preparation", to go to Saudia – August 2015

     In 1 month, there is the "Saudi Crane collapse", in Mecca

    http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/09/saudi-crane-collapse-kills-107-mecca-grand-mosque-150911232844846.html

     In 2 months, there is the "Mecca Stampede killings – 700 dead"

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/24/mecca-crush-during-hajj-kills-at-least-100-saudi-state-tv

     Chaiwala Indian PM, Went to Saudia – April 2016

    https://www.brookings.edu/blog/markaz/2016/04/01/why-is-indias-modi-visiting-saudi-arabia/

     In 3 months, ISIS attacks Saudia – July2016

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/04/saudi-arabia-bombings-jeddah-medina-prophets-mosque-qatif
    https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/isis-terror/isis-trying-topple-saudi-king-attack-mohammed-s-mosque-n614206

     In 6 months, Yemeni Shias "launch rockets at Mecca"

    http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/10/yemens-houthis-accused-firing-missile-mecca-161028132859767.html
    http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/saudi-arabia-mecca-missile-yemen-houthi-rebels-war-a7384301.html

     In 9 months , Yemeni Shias hit a Saudi Naval ship

    http://www.businessinsider.in/Iranian-backed-Houthi-militants-in-Yemen-claim-to-have-hit-a-Saudi-navy-ship-with-an-anti-ship-missile/articleshow/56881523.cms

     In 15 months, terror attack on Mecca

    http://www.arabnews.com/node/1119571/saudi-arabia

     Hollande Came to India, in January,2016

    http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/India-has-labour-market-for-French-products-Modi/article14017678.ece

     "Nice bombed" in June 2016

    http://time.com/4407268/nice-attack-france-truck-bastille-day/

     Chaiwala Indian PM Went to France in April 2015

    http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/prime-minister-narendra-modis-visit-to-france/article7090006.ece
    http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-france-sign-17-agreements-during-pm-modis-visit/

     Paris bombed in November 2015

    http://time.com/4112639/paris-attack-terror-bataclan-hollande/

     Chaiwala Indian PM Went to Belgium, in March 2016

    http://www.india.com/news/india/narendra-modi-in-brussels-here-is-the-complete-schedule-for-pm-visit-to-belgium-1067628/

     Brussels bombed June 2016

    http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35869985

     Chaiwala Indian PM Went to Spain, in June 2017

    http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-spain-sign-7-agreements-during-pm-modis-visit/articleshow/58926936.cms

     ISIS bombed Spain, in August 2017

    http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/spain-attacks-isis-claims-responsibility-cambrils-barcelona-terror-car-rampage-latest-a7901731.html

     And in 3 months "Spain has disintegrated"

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2017/oct/01/catalan-independence-referendum-spain-catalonia-vote-live

     Chaiwala Indian PM Went to Turkey, in December 2015

    http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/pm-modi-arrives-in-turkey-to-attend-g20-summit/
    http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/modis-visits-to-turkey-may-not-end-political-differences/article7862442.ece

     Ataturk Airport bombed in June 2016

    http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36658187

     Ankara Bombed in March 2016

    https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/14/world/middleeast/explosion-ankara-turkey.html?mcubz=1

     Erdogan almost assassinated

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/07/15/turkey-coup-against-president-erdogan-everything-we-know-on-satu/

     Chaiwala Indian PM Went to Brazil in May 2015

    http://www.news18.com/news/politics/narendra-modis-visit-to-brazil-for-brics-summit-gave-a-fillip-to-regional-cooperation-996984.html

     Brazil PM impeachment started in November,2015

    http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-39884699

     Chaiwala Indian PM Went to Russia – November, 2015

    http://www.firstpost.com/world/pm-modis-visit-has-shored-up-moscows-insecurities-but-a-transformation-in-india-russia-relations-awaits-2559382.html

     1st ever ISIS attack on Russia – June 2016

    http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/isis-terror-attacks-news-latest-russia-moscow-balashikha-police-gun-axe-allegiance-video-chechen-a7198731.html

     Putin comes to meet Chaiwala – October,2016

    http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/53067

     Russian Train station attack – April 2017

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/04/03/saintpetersburg-bombing-casualties-explosion-metro-train/

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