Demystifying Kashmir

by Navnita Chadha Behera

" The Kashmir issue is typically cast as a ""territorial dispute"" between two belligerent neighbors in South Asia. But there is much more to the story than that. The Jammu and Kashmir state, home to an extraordinary medley of races, tribal groups, languages, and religions, makes up one of the most diverse regions in the subcontinent. Demystifying Kashmir argues that recognizing the rich, complex, and multi-faceted character of Kashmir is important not only for understanding the structural causes of this conflict but also for providing opportunities to establish a just, viable, and lasting solution. In this remarkable book, Navnita Chadha Behera traces the history of Kashmir from the pre-partition India to the current-day situation. She provides a comprehensive analysis of the philosophical underpinnings and the local, bilateral, and international dynamics of the key players involved in this flashpoint of conflict, including New Delhi, Islamabad, political groups and militant outfits on both sides of the Line of Control, and international powers. The book explores the political and military components of India's and Pakistan's Kashmir strategy, the self-determination debate, and the insurgent movement that began in 1989. The conclusion focuses on what Behera terms the four P' parameters, players, politics, and prognosis of the ongoing peace process in Kashmir. Behera also reflects on the devastation of the October 2005 earthquake and its implications for the future of the area. Based on extensive field research and primary sources, Demystifying Kashmir breaks new ground by framing the conflict as a political battle of state-making between India and Pakistan rather than as a rigid and ideological Hindu-Muslim conflict. Behera's work will be an essential guide for journalists, scholars, activists, policymakers, and anyone interested in how to avert a war between these nuclear powers. "

Genres: India, History, Pakistan

359 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Adil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book to read and know about Kashmir. I being Kashmiri found it unbiased to good extent. I would recommend this book to folks who wanna know the real reason for Kashmir dispute.
The first part of the book is well written and composed. Lots of references to previous sections and redundancy can be seen in the last chapters.

[Muthu Raj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite being an Indian, I knew very little about Kashmir, when I started this book. I was primed to think of it only in ideological terms, and always viewed it as a problem where if India showed enough rectitude and military might, we will win decisively. And this book has proved me wrong, in so many elegant pages.

The first chapter seeks to bust the myth that Kashmir is a bone of contention on ideological, or religious terms. There are enough evidences to point that at times, Kashmir didn't even figure on the plans of Jinnah, not as a constituent state of Pakistan.Jinnah at many occasions, wanted states to be independent or accede to Pakistan, not because they wanted to or Jinnah himself wanted them, but because he thought that would weaken Indian Union.

The level of detail in this book can be overwhelming, but it can also leave you clueless at times, through references to major events in just passing. This is a decidedly academic work, and seeks to look at political developments only inasmuch as they serve to further the debate on Kashmir.

This book also makes you realize the reality of the situation and introduces the forgotten trio, Ladakh, Jammu, and the PoK, which never figure in the debates about Kashmir. Azad Kashmir and the Northern provinces' treatment by the Pakistan, strip it off any legitimacy to the claim that Pakistan can provide a better governance to the people of Kashmir.

The international angle to this problem is analyzed well and the author doesn't shy away from categorically stating that Pakistan has failed to bleed the Indian state. Without mincing words, she paints Pakistan to be the aggressor it is.

The book is extraordinarily enlightening, but is not a panacea about the Kashmir issue. But then, nothing ever is a panacea.

[Paakhi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides a really good overview of the Kashmir conflict and digs deeper to discuss this beyond the nationalist lens that most other discussions on this issue happen to adopt. Of course, given that it was published over a decade ago, there are certain aspects of this book that are rendered a little irrelevant - especially the bit written about Article 370. I do still think that the policy proposals are relevant even to this day give and take a little amendments.