Kashmir

MIST Quiz Bowl - Topic 4, Pt 1

In what year did India revoke Article 370, removing Kashmir’s autonomy?

2019

What article of the Indian Constitution granted Kashmir special autonomy?

Article 370

What article gave Kashmir exclusive land rights to its residents?

Article 35A

What major military action occurred between India and Pakistan over Kashmir in 1947?

The First Indo-Pak War over Kashmir

What resolution did the UN pass in 1948 regarding Kashmir?

A plebiscite for self-determination (which never occurred)

What princely state's Muslim-majority population had a Hindu ruler who joined India in 1947?

Jammu and Kashmir

Who was the ruler of Kashmir who chose to join India in 1947?

Hari Singh

How many people currently live in Kashmir?

About 13 million

What are the three countries that control parts of the Kashmir region?

India, Pakistan, and China

Which river runs through Kashmir and is vital to agriculture and power?

The Indus River

What are the religious demographics of Kashmir?

Mostly Muslim, with Hindus, Buddhists, and Sikhs

In which years did additional wars break out over Kashmir after the 1947 conflict?

1965 and 1999

What is the current Indian-administered Kashmir region officially divided into?

Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh (Union Territories)

How many Indian troops were in Kashmir in 2004 compared to now?

250,000 in 2004 → 700,000 now

Approximately how many militants are estimated to be active in Kashmir?

200–300

How many civilians were killed in Kashmir in 2018 according to UN reports?

160 civilians

How many of the 160 civilian deaths in 2018 were caused by Indian security forces?

71

How many of the 160 civilian deaths in 2018 were caused by armed groups?

43

How many civilian deaths in 2018 were due to shelling/firing near the Pakistan border?

29

 What major constitutional change did Modi’s government promise during the 2019 election campaign?

Stripping Kashmir of its special status

What communication actions did India take after revoking Article 370 in 2019?

Shut down internet, phones, and imposed curfews

What valley in Kashmir is known for its natural beauty?

Gurez Valley

What is the common term for fear among Kashmiris that outsiders may buy their land post-2019?

Settler colonialism

What happened to Hindu residents (Kashmiri Pandits) in the 1989 insurgency?

Hundreds killed, thousands fled Kashmir

What decade did separatist armed groups begin forming in Kashmir?

The 1980s

What justification does India give for maintaining a heavy military presence in Kashmir?

To protect territorial integrity against a hostile Pakistan

What do Kashmiris accuse the Indian army of doing instead of just fighting militants?

Occupying and repressing the civilian population

Why did India argue Article 370 harmed Kashmir’s development?

It restricted welfare schemes from being implemented

What major international body initially took up the Kashmir issue in 1948?

The United Nations

What impact do curfews and protests have on everyday life in Kashmir?

Schools and businesses are often shut down for months

What happened to activists and pro-India politicians after Article 370 was revoked in 2019?

 Many were arrested and detained during the communication and security lockdown.

What is the religious background contrast of Kashmir at the time of partition in 1947?

Kashmir was a Muslim-majority state ruled by a Hindu monarch, Maharaja Hari Singh.

What was Maharaja Hari Singh originally considering before acceding to India?

He was considering declaring Kashmir an independent nation.

What was the formal reason India gave for revoking Article 370 in 2019?

The Indian government claimed that Article 370 hindered development by blocking welfare schemes.

What did Narendra Modi’s 2019 election campaign promise regarding Kashmir?

To revoke Article 370 and end Kashmir’s special autonomous status.

What did Modi say after revoking Article 370 in 2019?

“All join together, Jammu & Kashmir, free of terrorism and separatism.”

What was the impact of the 2019 communications lockdown in Kashmir?

Phone lines, internet, and TV services were suspended; strict curfews were enforced.

Who were specifically targeted during the 1989 Kashmiri Pandit crisis?

Hindu residents, especially the Kashmiri Pandit community, were targeted and forced to flee.

What was the estimated number of Kashmiri Pandits forced to leave in 1989?

Thousands fled; hundreds were killed.

What natural geographic feature is crucial to Kashmir's agriculture and strategic value?

The Indus River flows through Kashmir.

What is Gurez Valley known for in Kashmir?

It is a naturally beautiful and remote area known for scenic landscapes and tourism potential.

How did India justify its large military presence in Kashmir?

As necessary to defend India’s territorial integrity against hostile Pakistan and armed militants.

What is the common criticism of the Indian military’s presence in Kashmir?

That it is more about occupying the population than fighting militants.

What was the number of militants India claimed were active in Kashmir around the 2000s?

Approximately 200–300 militants.

How did long protests affect daily life in Kashmir?

Schools and businesses were frequently shut down due to curfews and strikes.

What two new Union Territories were created from Indian-administered Kashmir in 2019?

Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

Under Article 35A, who had exclusive rights to buy land in Kashmir?

Permanent residents, or state subjects of Jammu and Kashmir.

What was India’s main argument against Article 35A?

It discriminated against Indian citizens from other states.