Let peace prevails in the subcontinent

Kashmir has now become a central topic and there are the letters of Mr. Abdula Ghalib, Mr. Prabhakar, Mr. Masli Arman, and Mr. R. Chitrapu.

As mentioned by Mr. Chitrapu (The Jakarta Post, June 17, 1996), India is a time tested democracy since 1947, where decisions are made after many deliberations and ratified by a vote. Thus, any decision made by India on Kashmir is democratic and reflects the will of the people of India. On the other hand, a Pakistanian leader who "bashes" up India regularly survives, while a one who wants to make peace with India does not last long. Ms. Bhutto's recent overtures require careful study as to their motives.

A look at Mr. Arman's letter shows that he got all his "facts" mixed up (The Jakarta Post, June 10, 1996). Maharaja Hari Singh opted for India -- no one twisted his arm! This is a historical fact. Hari Singh called the Indian army into Kashmir when Pakistan invaded and occupied the present POK. Again, Mr. Arman, there was no Pakistan or Bangladesh before 1947 but only one India. In fact, India created Bangladesh, earlier known as "East Pakistan," during the 1971 war.

Hindus in India have never been fanatical in the past. Hinduism is in fact more of a philosophy than a religion without any fanatical doctrine. Fanaticism among Hindus today is a reaction to the attitude of certain groups that put religion above the welfare of the country.

India, being a true democracy, does not and will not encourage human rights violations. Although such may take place temporarily, the culprits are to be punished under the law. In fact, many Indian soldiers have lost their lives because unwilling to violate the law. Hence, excesses by the Indian army in Kashmir are an exception rather than the rule. Rapes, intimidation and arson are carried out by the mercenaries who have infiltrated Kashmir, from Pakistan, against the ethnic Kashmiri population. The Kashmiri Pandits (Hindus) themselves have been driven out of Kashmir and live in refugee camps.

It is time that the people of Pakistan realize that the rabid anti-Indian sentiment fostered by the government is in reality only diversionary tactics to cover up the government's own failings. It is also time that both India and Pakistan realize that their two peoples are the same -- ethnically and culturally -- and that it is only the selfish politicians who maintain this level of hatred. Get rid of this hatred and mistrust, transfer the money spent on defense into development projects and you will have two economic superpowers in the subcontinent.

Let us hope that good sense will ultimately prevail.

B.M. MENON

Jakarta