Low Intensity Conflicts in South Asia

James A. Williams Arputharaj 
President of South Asian Federalists; Former EC member of WFM; Coordinator for India for the Campaign for UN Parliamentary Assembly; Senior Fellow, Institute of Social Sciences, New Delhi

Major conflicts have erupted in South Asia basically over language and ethnicity issues. When Pakistani rulers imposed Urdu language over the Bengali population in East Bengal, the people revolted and Bangladesh was born. Similarly, in Sri Lanka, when President Bandaranaike declared “Sinhala-only policy”, the Tamils revolted. Many at that time commented that one nation with two languages had been changed to one language-two nations. The Tamil Tigers were defeated in a war in May 2009, the discrimination of Tamils still continues. There are Hindus, Muslims and Christians among the Tamils, while Sinhalese, the majority community, follow Buddhism and Christianity. The religious extremism in both Sri Lanka and India has contributed to low intensity conflicts. There is violence against minority Hindu community in both Bangladesh and Pakistan.

In recent months, Sri Lanka saw massive unrest due to the economic challenges facing the people. The crowds who stayed on the streets for weeks together declared that “for decades, you divided us on the basis of our language and religion to win elections, now we are united as one to fight against you”. The protests led to the resignation of both the President and Prime Minister.

In India, there are marginalisation and deprivations of the poor communities across India. In connivance with the local Governments, multinational mining companies displace the tribals from their traditional lands. The human rights activists who fight on behalf of the tribals are silenced and arrested. Across India, there are many such incidents where Government plans super-highway roads by taking away agricultural lands, and people protest against this.

However not all of them take the route of armed conflicts, as political parties diffuse the situation by convincing them that when they get elected, they would restore the status quo, which hardly happens.

Another continuing disturbing situation is that of Kashmir. “Kashmir is not for sale” – someone commented observing the Indo-Pakistani conflict which is mainly over Kashmir. Kashmiris have their unique culture, language and heritage. At the time of partition of India in August 1947, Kashmir was still an independent kingdom. In October 1947, when the Pattan tribes bordering Pakistan attempted invasion of Kashmir, the then Hindu King Hari Singh signed the instrument of accession to the Indian Union on 26^th October 1947, in lieu of coming under the domination of Pakistan. The Indian Government assured autonomy and self-rule in Kashmir by inserting an Article 370 in its constitution. Only Defence and Foreign policy was relegated to the Central Government in the true sense of federalism. However, Kashmir had its own constitution and flag.

In 2018, the Indian President abrogated Article 370 on the night of 4^th August, terming the move as "one country, one constitution ", used as a political slogan. For over one month, 7 million people of Kashmir were locked down with no access to internet and mobile phones to prevent any protest. Still, election to the state Government is not held and it is still under the rule of the Central Government.

In 1948, UN Resolution 39 directed peaceful resolution of the conflict by forming a commission and marking a Line of Control (LoC). However, the 1965 war changed everything, as Kashmir was divided among India, Pakistan and China. Much water has flown since then. Pakistan also abolished state rule in Gilgit Balistan (part of Pakistan occupied Kashmir, PoK) in 1984. For the people split among three countries to come together to have a referendum is near to impossible.

Federalism therefore is the only solution to the problems faced by the people of South Asia. Governments should practice federalism, by providing autonomy to regions, respecting the local language, religion and enable them to govern themselves.

We live in an era where national boundaries do not matter when it comes to market, communication and environment. Climate change does not respect LoC’s. No longer there are homogenous communities or countries. Many countries are becoming more and more multiethnic and multilingual. The Governments need to respect regional autonomy and the wishes of the people even if they belong to a minority religion or region.

Federalism is based on the principle of subsidiarity, where decisions are taken at the level where it is required to address governance issues. Local aspirations of the people should be respected and democratic voices need to be heard’.