In India, we call Kashmir as an indivisible part of India and praise it by calling "crown of India" and "Paradise on earth". But do others share the same view? I thought they did. Till recently. Kashmir in world's perspective (read US) is still a disputed territory. I was reading in the newspaper today that muslim militants slaughtered hindus in Kashmir (again). It was referred to as "Militants gun down hindus in India controlled Kashmir". I surprised and pained me a lot to see Kashmir being referred to as India controlled. Maharaja Harisingh formally acceded to India when the newly formed Pakistan attacked Kashmir in order to annex it back in 1948. This should leave no doubt in anybody's mind about the legitimacy of India's claim.

It would have been the case had not there been some political suicides carried out by Indian leaders. Trying to be fair and non-agressive, India invited the UN to mediate in the dispute and the quarrel has not yet been resolved. There have been 3 separate wars between India and Pakistan, all initiated by Pakistan, over Kashmir and Pakistan has taken a sound beating in all of the wars. Again it was the tendency to be fair and ethical stopped Pakistan being obliterated from the face of the earth.

What would it take for India to claim what is rightfully hers? Another case in point is, Pakistan did not exist till 1947. It was a part of larger India. So essentially Pakistan and Kashmir as a part of India. Indians across the world have to unite and drive to make the Indian Peninsula a peaceful zone. Only then will India (and Pakistan) would realise their true potential.