Proposed Kashmir Conflict Memorial

By Alexandra Eckman

DailyPioneer.com recently reported that the Prime Minister of the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK), Chaudhary Abdul Majid, approved the proposal of a war memorial dedicated to all of the fallen soldiers and militants in the Jammu and Kashmir region since 1947. There have been many attempts, by the separatist groups as well as human rights groups, at creating this type of memorial, but with all the failed attempts, the suggestion was finally turned to the PoK government, who seems to be following through with the idea, originally suggested by the Hurriyat Conference leader, Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

It is said the purpose of this memorial would be to represent the “freedom struggle in Kashmir.” It seems like there could a lot of controversy about whether this memorial is a good idea. It had been proposed many times by the separatist groups to the Jammu and Kashmir Government, but every time they were turned down because the Jammu and Kashmir Government did not agree with the recognition of the people who were killed in custody. However, plans are being put in motion since Majid has now approved the proposal, and a committee has been put together in order to begin the planning process. This committee will be in charge of designing the memorial, deciding on the location of where the memorial will be erected, and essentially building the memorial. Majid has put the PoK Finance Minister in charge of this project. 

Syed Ali Shah Geelani said, “After World War, every European city housed memorials and museums…it is our duty to have a similar memorial for the people who have sacrificed since 1947.” According to Daily News and Analysis, there have been 43,460 people killed in Jammu and Kashmir between 1990 and 2012. This memorial would recognize these people, along with the thousands of others killed since the Kashmir conflict began in 1947.