A state which has a disputed status, yet is claimed to be an "integral part" of India by the ruling political party - Its considered integral part of India by its citizens does not matter which political party is at power.
The story of Kashmir is full of broken promises by the Indian government and people. So before we call it an integral part of India, lets at least own our mistakes. Lets remove AFSPA in Kashmir. Lets hold the bloody referendum. Lets at least grant them more autonomy.
But thats not gonna happen. Any government which grants more autonomy to Kashmir will be voted out and hence they will not do it.
You correctly call into question the agreement signed by the Maharaja of Kashmir, but I could just as easily ask about every other territory that's a part of the Union of India. Why should the writ of New Delhi run to places where the people are ethnically, linguistically and culturally different, such as Tamil Nadu? After all, at no point did Tamils accede to the Union and they have suffered discrimination before - such as when Delhi tried to impose Hindi on a Tamil-speaking population in 1965. Do Tamils deserve special privileges then? No, that's absurd.
To clarify, I think Article 370 that grants Kashmir special status should be scrapped, because they don't deserve special treatment. Apart from that, I think a referendum should be held there. I don't think it will bury the issue (look at Scotland), but it will mollify most people who live there for some time.
Here is the thing, dude — 70% of all people from outside Kashmir don't know what is going on there. They immediately resolve to cursing Pakistan or Kashmiris, portraying their troops and their dirty politics as a favor they're doing to us. You know why that referendum was never held? Because the answer is clear — Go away, or at the very least stop shooting our people.
Sadly most of India will never understand, because they aren't listening. Impose AFSPA in Delhi and Mumbai and tell me how that goes.
Don't try to wildly justify everything your people do just to show your kinship to them. It makes you a fanatic, not a patriot. Most of my friends are from India. I love them, and have deep admiration for them. India is a great nation, but sadly it has been very unfair to Kashmir. And successfully made it appear as though they are trying to help, being portrayed as martyrs to their own people.
Research. That will fill in the knowledge gaps you have with regard to kashmir. Then think about it on the grounds of humanity. You will be one step closer to realizing that the situation is actually much different from what you hear about in the news or what your politicians tell you.
Love and respect from Kashmir.
Flowerpots are hurled at Indian Army by fringe elements which results in casualties of evil Indian Army persons. A new trend has been seen in the peace loving Kashmiris led by ISI agents in disguise, who chose not to participate in the elections and instead have been seen showing the most peaceful organisation ISIS's flag to the media and the evil army.
Ok enough with the sarcasm, a minister of the elected government (who belongs to Kashmir) recently appeared on a television program to complaint about the media. She said the media only shows the 4k separatists (ISIS lovers) in the news and not the 4000k people who voted and want tourism from the rest of the country. I am more likely to believe her than the propaganda spewed by a random commenter.
Understanding does not come by hiding ugly thruths. In India its a common belief (among Hindus) that Hindus have never done anyone any wrong and were mind their own business peacefully an then all shit happened to them. False historical constructs are dangerous. Study of clear and open history backed by grassroots records is super important. If you, your dad is in Pakistan now, here's greetings from near his older home.
Its importance varies by region though. Some parts haven't been touched by communal violence ever since partition (apart from Babri related ones) whereas others are repeat offenders.
And no, Nehru did not contributed the most, the whole of India was united by Sardar Patel with the exception of J&K which Nehru insisted on taking up. If you call that contribution ...