Kashmir Again

After the terrorist attack on Indian troops, the eyes of the world have once again turned to Kashmir and the ongoing antagonism between India and Pakistan over who should control it. Three times gone to war (1948, 1961 and 1971.) In 1998 Indian and Pakistani troops exchanged artillery fire, described as heavier than that of the 1948 and 1965 wars put together. An estimated 50,000 rounds of ammunition were expended and a large number of soldiers and civilians killed. This round could very rapidly result in a nuclear exchange with the loss of an estimated 25 million lives.

The conflict between Pakistan and India and their religions is being made to serve the interests of the respective ruling class groups just as British capitalism made use of communal rivalry. What could be more useful to the Pakistan ruling class in persuading peasants and workers to be content with their lot than to be able to distract their attention away from bread and butter questions towards the iniquities of Hindus and the greed and aggression of the Indian Government? And how convenient for the latter to be able to rally the masses to the need for patriotism and to defend the country against Pakistan cruelty and trouble making.