Jammu+Kashmir+Conflict



Popular Misconceptions of Indian History Since 1947 to Date:
 * __India & Pakistan conflict__**

Throughout history India has been known for its architecture and deep religion based culture. Eastern culture is known for being religiously influenced in opposed to western culture which is known from being more secular based. In seventeenth century A.D. India was began to be colonized and taken over by England a rule which would last for about two hundred years. India from ancient times was primarily a land of Hindus which is the religion that remained dominant but still lost followers as rulers for different religions arose and people followed suit. With emperor Asoka speaking Buddhism to Islamic rulers starting with Muhamed bin Qasim the religion of many changed but they continued to live together under one rule. Religious conflicts became a big issue with India’s independence from England. In 1947 conflicts arose between Hindus and Muslims leading to a partition by the British and thus the country of Pakistan arose after land was parted from India and given to the Muslims thus “ending” the conflict. However from the time of partition there have been many wars over the states of Kashmir and Jammu when it came to determining which country could claim these states. What started out as a series of war and heated conflicts have become a dangerous race for nuclear arms. This conflict is an issue to both Indian and Pakistanis living in these countries. With any conflict or issue, media influence has always played a huge role in the way the people see these issues. The use of this conflict in both Bollywood cinema and news media give insight into to this conflict for those unfamiliar to it but also to those living in it News media is a well relied source of many. This form of media serves as a connection of the world as one sitting in New York can see and hear about a conflict miles away in India and people in India can see a snow storm in New York. News media has been accredited in the past to be instigators when it came to starting war and in that sense is referred to as propaganda which is basically when the news media becomes biased showing the story in a certain that the opposition looks bad. When it comes to the India- Pakistan conflict worldwide media such as BBC have provided an insight which is fair on both sides. Telling the truth which is what news media is supposed to do. Al Jeezra a new network which focuses on worldwide news but is better known from its broadcasting from the eastern part of the world also gives a fair account of the conflict giving both countries their pros and cons. The news media’s role in the India Pakistan conflict gives an insight which gives fair props to each side. The misconception of this conflict may arise from films which bring into it personal accounts such as an individual encounter. What many may cease to discover is the facts behind the conflict which can be found by researching the news media or following up with it. When looking at news media looking at it from all points of views helps one to get an insight into the conflict and pick at what is true. This conflict and strained relationship has also been portrayed by many Hindi films. There is no doubt about it that Bollywood is the king of entertainment in all of India. Bollywood movies are not only enjoyable family based motion pictures but they also enlighten others on the social issues of India. It is said that Bollywood films has affected the cities of India as well as the culture of India immensely. We can look at Bollywood movies in two ways. We can see them as either a great influence (say in fashion, life lessons etc.), or a bad one (adultery, murder etc.). The effect Bollywood movies can leave on you all depends on the person and how they take these messages. Since Bollywood touches on many social issues of India’s time, people may look to these films as a way of obtaining news. For example People who know nothing of the Pakistan/India conflict may form an opinion based solely on certain movies. One particular film “Upkar,” (directed by Manoj Kumar) for instance, had negative references to Pakistan, but never named the country outright. The protagonist in the film is called Bharat (Hindi for India), who takes a moral high ground when his younger brother asks for the family property to be divided between them. The younger brother (Pakistan is metaphorically called the younger brother of India) is the evil one, who exploits the older one’s tolerance. When the war of 1965 between India and Pakistan breaks out, Bharat is off to the war; while his selfish brother, with the help of his greedy uncle, Charandas, and some partners, tried to gain profit by selling drugs and doing many other illegal activities in the market. In the end, Bharat returns as a war hero defeating the demon designs of the enemy and his brother repents as he is caught by the police (by the brother-in-law of Bharat). Hence, he vows to be a good & hardworking brother just like his Indo-Pak war veteran brother Bharat. We can obviously tell the message India is trying to portray here… India is the positive, overall better country while Pakistan is looked at as the jealous, negative one who wants to bring India down.

We believe that news articles as well as film are excellent ways people use to obtain news and find out what’s going on in the world. News articles are unbiased sources of media which contain facts and is relied on by many to provide insight into what is happening in the world. While films might be just a way of portraying a story into visuals either way they are excellent ways to influence society. Ever since the partition of the sub-continent in 1947, when Britain dismantled its Indian empire, India and Pakistan have been arch rivals. India & Pakistan can be looked at both negatively and positively through news media & Bollywood films.


 * __ References __**


 * Hashim, Asad. "Timeline: India-Pakistan Relations - Kashmir: The Forgotten Conflict - Al Jazeera English." //Al Jazeera English//. N.p., 01 Aug. 2012. Web. 25 Nov. 2012. .


 * "Muhammad Bin Qasim." //Story of Pakistan RSS//. N.p., 01 June 2003. Web. 25 Nov. 2012. .


 * Kumar, Raksha. "How Bollywoodâ€™s Views on Pakistan Evolved." India Ink How Bollywoods Views on Pakistan Evolved Comments. N.p., 16 Aug. 2012. Web. 27 Nov. 2012..


 * None. "Top 10 Films on Indo-Pak Conflict." - Top Lists. Bennet, Coleman & CO, 3 Mar. 2010. Web. 27 Nov. 2012..