Scotland referendum: If they can have it, why can't Kashmir?

I wish Scotland the best of luck for whatever they choose. Hopefully, it will pave the way for Kashmiris as well.

Sehrish Salahudin September 18, 2014
Today, on September 18, Scots will decide whether they want to stay with the Great Britain or opt for independence. This is a big day, not only for Scotland but for the entire world as this referendum will seal the fate of the United Kingdom.

It’ll be a great setback for UK if they lose in the referendum, as David Cameron expressed on Twitter:



The Scots are very happy about this step, as people are seen waiting excitedly for the voting to begin. Many people have taken to the streets to show their support for the referendum. However, where Scotland celebrates this step, many English still condemn it. They are against this division and it also reflects badly on Cameron’s government. Those who oppose this referendum have expressed their views aptly on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/DanBrennan99/status/512291271063642112





https://twitter.com/Queen_UK/status/509600179784531968



Currently, Scotland has its own separate legal and education system, with defense, security and taxation remaining with England. Although the Scots have been trying to get independence for quite some time now, with the Scottish National Party hinting towards a separation on the pretence that Scotland was economically powerfully enough to sustain itself on its own, the final nail in the coffin was drawn with the 2010 elections when the Conservative Party won.

The Conservative Party is not very popular in Scotland and, as a result, Alex Salmond, minister for the Scottish devolved parliament, declared his intentions to hold a referendum; this step was supported by many Scots. The English government, after receiving an overwhelming majority of pro-union opinion polls, decided to go ahead with the plebiscite, believing that the end results would be in favour of a unified Britain. However, the new polls hint more towards an independent Scotland, which is a worrisome issue for England.

This news made me think about Kashmir, about its people who have suffered for so long and I desperately wished for them to have a similar opportunity to express themselves and cherish their right to choose. Sure, the Scots and the Kashmiris do not face the same problems, and England doesn’t have its army occupying Scotland, as it is in the case of Kashmir with Pakistan and India. However, as a state that wishes to be independent, and where a major section of the society wants to have a referendum in their land, I believe that Kashmir should be given a chance as well.

The Kashmir dispute has been a chord of contention between Pakistan and India since 1947 and even though a referendum was planned, according to United Nations resolution on January 5, 1949, it never got implemented due to the lack of support and consent from both parties.

It’s been a long time since we have observed turbulence in Kashmir. But news of innocent people getting killed in riots is not any different than that of people getting killed in Gaza. I still remember how Pakistan Television (PTV) used to show documentaries of atrocious killings in Kashmir after the nine o’clock news – as a kid, for me, it was very scary. I promised myself that I won’t go to Kashmir as I thought there was no love or justice there. But now, after visiting Kashmir and experiencing its serenity, I feel saddened to see them in the terrible state that they are. It is unfortunate to see them bear the brunt of a power struggle between two nations.

I wish Scotland best of luck for whatever they decide and vote for. It shall be accepted by the rest of the world and will set an example for countries suffering disputes – it will highlight the need for accepting the acquiescence of people, because that is the beauty of a true democracy. Let’s hope that Scotland’s win will pave way for Kashmiris to finally have a shot at a referendum.
WRITTEN BY:
Sehrish Salahudin A writer by profession. An avid reader, freelance journalist and blogger. Currently working in Capital TV as a copy editor. She has done her masters degree in Mass communication. She tweets as @shrshbutt (https://twitter.com/shrshbutt)
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

COMMENTS (189)

barbie | 9 years ago | Reply 1st referendum has to be done in Baluchistan under UN supervision. Then any other place.
Izhar ul Haq | 9 years ago | Reply Sehrish you have done excellent job to awake the dead body of UN. But I don't think UN can work on it. They are only working where the might is. Scottish referrendum is hijacked as well, They confused voters in last week with their controversial comments on Economy. Now Indians are finding their DNA relationship with Israel to make an alliance. But they don't know Almighty has his own plans. We need to do our work without doubt!!!
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