Hello All,
You may wonder what nonsense I may be blurting out – how can someone compare the current situation in Kashmir to that of Germany circa 1945? Some might even think that the Indian Govt. is akin to the Nazi Government of Germany and the Kashmiris are Resistance Fighters. But, since neither I, nor any of the millions who either support or oppose the abrogation of Article 370 know the actual ground situation in the state, and going by what we pick up in the MSM, Social Media and through other channels, here’s why I think there are some interesting parallels between both instances.
First, after 1945, with the defeat of Nazi Germany in WWII, many initially feared that the victorious allies would retaliate and make life harsh for the surviving German citizens and soldiers. In fact, a lot of this concern, in the end, did come true as the Soviet Union, then, one of the victorious allies, partitioned and created East Germany with a Police state in place, putting nearly all of the Eastern half of Germany behind the Iron Curtain.
In my opinion, to a large extent, Kashmir does suffer this same problem, thanks to Artcile 370 being that very proverbial Iron Curtain.
However, the remaining Western half of Germany, under the joint administration of the US, French and British Governments was reformed as West Germany in 1955 and actually prospered. Its economy boomed as we know it today, quality of life improved and so did the goodwill that the German people had towards the Allies. The Berlin airlift signifies this as well.
Similarly, I believe, the removal of Article 370, will allow a much freer interaction of Jammu and Kashmir, and now even Ladakh with the rest of India. It may stimulate and prosper its economy and also perhaps, heal decades of pain inflicted thanks to the insurgency, ethnic cleansing and also the ignorance of the current establishment towards the plight of J&K.
Thanks,
SNS.
*Images: Sourced from Getty and the ww2dbase German Federal Archive