by Elton Gomes
After the India-Pakistan partition, conflict seemed inevitable. Arbitrary caste-based divisions punctured India?s growth, and some conflicts still haven?t been resolved. Here are a few examples.
The Cauvery dispute
The Cauvery water sharing dispute has been ongoing between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu since the British Raj. The dispute originally began in the year 1892, between the Madras Presidency under the British Raj and the princely state of Mysore ? the two regions could not agree on how to divide the water equally among themselves.
Thereafter, in 1910, the two regions began planning the construction of reservoirs to store the reiver water. Since the two regions were undecided, the British decided to resolve the issue. In 1924, the Madras Presidency and Mysore state signed an agreement that stated the rules regarding water usage of the Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) dam. The 1924 agreement gave both regions the right to utilise surplus water from the Cauvery.
As per the 1924 agreement, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry were to get 75 percent of the surplus water, while Karnataka would get 23 percent. Kerala would get the remaining. The real problem started after the re-organisation of states after India received independence.
After considerable number of sessions in the court, the Supreme Court ordered the Centre to form the Cauvery Management Board in an attempt to resolve the issue. However, the BJP-led Centre failed to constitute the Board, which was when the Tamil Nadu government decided to move the Supreme Court in March 2018. In April, the Supreme Court rapped the Centre for its inactions and ordered it to submit a draft scheme by May 3. On May 15, the Centre decided to submit a revised draft after the Supreme Court ordered for some suggestions. However, as of June 30, 2018, Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy decided to move the Supreme Court against the Centre?s notification on the Cauvery water management authority.
The Bastar rebellion
In 1905, the British government decided to reserve two third of the forest and a ban was imposed over tribal activities. This irked the villagers there, and a sense of anger prevailed. Repeated famines in 1900 and 1907 added to the frustration and anger of the villagers. A growing sense of discontent against the British was felt, and the villagers discussed this in their councils and at official meetings. In 1910, mango tree boughs, a lump of earth, chilies, and arrows began circulating across villages. This was actually a message inviting villagers to rebel against the British. In the rebellion, houses of officials and traders were robbed, police stations were burned, and grain was redistributed. The British sent troops to quell the rebellion, and it took three months to regain full control.
The Kashmir dispute as a result of Partition
Several Indians had fought against the British, and they would not see a prince rule any region in Kashmir. In theory, the princely states of Kashmir had the option of joining either India or Pakistan, or it could remain independent ? an unfavourable option. Kashmir had to choose whether it wished to join Pakistan or India. This was a conundrum for Maharaja Hari Singh, the ruler of Kashmir, as he was Hindu but majority of his subjects were Muslim. Not being able to choose either of the two alternatives, Hari Singh remained neutral. However, in October 1947, Pakistan sent Muslim tribesmen knocking at Hari Singh?s door. The ruler sought the Indian government?s help and fled to India. In India, Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession, giving up Kashmir to India on October 26. India took the issue up with the United Nations on January 1. As per a resolution dated August 13, 1948, the UN asked Pakistan to withdraw its troops, after which India was also asked to remove its soldiers. After both nations withdrew their troops, a plebiscite was to be held so that the Kashmiris can decide their future.
The plebiscite never happened, and until this day, people in Kashmir have been subject to humiliation and harassment by the Indian armed forces. In 1957, Kashmir was formally incorporated into the Indian union.
The status quo was largely maintained until the year 1989 when pro-independence and pro-Pakistan militants struck in the Indian Kashmir valley. Due to militancy, Kashmiris are constantly living under a reign of terror. It seems that the Indian government has lost support of Kashmiris and will need a radical change in its Kashmir policy.
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