This thread is about sharing public opinion surveys done on Kashmir by various organizations and to keep track of what Kashmiris think. This is important to tackle the hearsay perception and focus on what really is the opinion on the ground.
Of course as for all surveys there is always the margin for error but this allows us to have a better understanding of the ground situation and what people think in J&K.
One problem that is common in most surveys is that we have more information on the Indian side of J&K rather than the Pakistani side. Gilgit Baltistan is not even covered by most surveys were anti-Pakistan sentiment is said to be higher.
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The first report I wanted to contribute to this thread is a conflict resolution poll in 2008-2009 conducted by Colin Irwin a well known name in conflict resolution around the world and played an important part in the Irish peace process. The website for this is on www.peacepolls.org
Bear in mind that these interviews were conducted in the aftermath of Amarnath yatra controversy and the mumbai attacks so that would have influenced some of the responses.
The best thing I like about this report is how it has not only tried to identify the problems but presented solutions to the people to "vote" on. They have also took pains to differentiate between Hindu Muslim and Buddhist opinions as well as opinions between Kashmir Jammu and Ladakh, with another subset for PaK.
The methodology of how the poll was conducted and how statistical quality was maintained is also provided. I will not provide my own opinions but would prefer everyone to read these with an open mind.
Pakistan Administered Kashmir information included report IaK vs Pak
Full report focussing only on Indian J&K
Regarding the UN mandated plebiscite, it seems that the resolution allows for only two options: join India or Pakistan. Independence is not on the table. So this following through with the UN mandated plebiscite would not solve the problem apparently. I will post some excerpts of the report later on that are significant but here is some from the website
Peace polls, an effective approach in helping resolve conflict
Of course as for all surveys there is always the margin for error but this allows us to have a better understanding of the ground situation and what people think in J&K.
One problem that is common in most surveys is that we have more information on the Indian side of J&K rather than the Pakistani side. Gilgit Baltistan is not even covered by most surveys were anti-Pakistan sentiment is said to be higher.
------------------
The first report I wanted to contribute to this thread is a conflict resolution poll in 2008-2009 conducted by Colin Irwin a well known name in conflict resolution around the world and played an important part in the Irish peace process. The website for this is on www.peacepolls.org
Bear in mind that these interviews were conducted in the aftermath of Amarnath yatra controversy and the mumbai attacks so that would have influenced some of the responses.
The best thing I like about this report is how it has not only tried to identify the problems but presented solutions to the people to "vote" on. They have also took pains to differentiate between Hindu Muslim and Buddhist opinions as well as opinions between Kashmir Jammu and Ladakh, with another subset for PaK.
The methodology of how the poll was conducted and how statistical quality was maintained is also provided. I will not provide my own opinions but would prefer everyone to read these with an open mind.
Pakistan Administered Kashmir information included report IaK vs Pak
Full report focussing only on Indian J&K
Regarding the UN mandated plebiscite, it seems that the resolution allows for only two options: join India or Pakistan. Independence is not on the table. So this following through with the UN mandated plebiscite would not solve the problem apparently. I will post some excerpts of the report later on that are significant but here is some from the website
Peace polls, an effective approach in helping resolve conflict
Remarkably, when it came to the critical issues of the constitution the top priority (from a list of 29) was 'J and K should be a secular state' at 68% 'essential or desirable'. And although it will come as no surprise that 63% of Muslims in the Kashmir Valley reject the constitutional status quo of remaining with India as 'totally unacceptable' 69% of that same population also considered a merger with Pakistan to be 'totally unacceptable'. So a UN plebiscite that is limited to these two options (a priority for Muslims at 71% 'essential or desirable') can not solve the problem of Kashmir. The only way forward is negotiation and that is what the people want. Not the corrupt street politics of sectarian division and communal strife.