Inside a packed Rotunda Dome Room, three distinguished speakers shared their views concerning the Kashmir conflict with students Wednesday night.
Kasmir is a disputed region between India and Pakistan which has been the source of contention between the countries for decades.
The South Asian Leadership Society organized the symposium, titled "What's wrong with Kashmir?" History Prof. Richard Barnett moderated the event.
Society President Sachin Gupta said there was a pressing need for discussion about Kashmir.
"Kashmir is an issue that hardly receives any attention in the media these days because of Iraq and other issues," he said.
The symposium lasted almost two hours. Three speakers were given time to present their perspectives on the issue, then audience members were invited to question panel members.
Politics Prof. John Echeverri-Gent said he was pleased by the audience participation.
"There were insightful and measured questions leading to a very illuminating discussion," he said.
History Prof. Farina Mir provided a historical background to the current crisis. She described Kashmir as the most heavily armed territory in the world.
Kashmir, the place once described by President Clinton as the "most dangerous place on Earth," according to Mir, has been in conflict since the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947.
Echeverri-Gent also offered his perspective on current events in the region.
"The situation in Kashmir is tragic in the sense that the problem lies not so much in Kashmir as it does in New Delhi and Islamabad," he said.
Mansoor Ijaz, a University alumnus and Fox News foreign affairs and terrorism analyst, spoke last and provided what he called a "dose of reality" for the audience.
Ijaz worked as a citizen diplomat for the President in the late 1990s to negotiate a cease-fire between India and Pakistan. Although the cease-fire fell apart at the last minute, Ijaz said that the experience provided him with a unique perspective.
"In America, we live freely because we live peacefully," he said. "Nations that become arrogant get broken."
The Asian Student Union, Indian Student Association, Hindu Students Community, Muslim Students Association, International Relations Organization, Sikh Students Association, Asian & Asian Pacific American Alumni Network and Amnesty International all co-sponsored the event.
"It's a remarkable tribute that students from such a diverse range of groups can cooperate to coordinate such an event," Echeverri-Gent said.
The Society plans on holding more events like this in the future, Gupta said.
Student interest in the Kashmir symposium was more than anticipated, Echeverri-Gent said, but despite the event's success, Gupta said there was room for improvement.
"The Dome Room's capacity forced us to deny entrance to around a hundred people," he said. "Apparently, there was a huge interest among the student population for such an event. Next time we'll try and get a bigger venue."
Read More
Students have federal internship offers rescinded due to hiring freeze
By Nina Broderick | 2 days agoUntil July 15, no presently vacant federal civilian positions may be filled, and no new positions may be created.
Man dies from self-inflicted gunshot wounds at the Rotunda
By Ford McCracken | 2 days agoThe investigation is ongoing, and additional details are not available at this time.
Virginia primary elections feature contested race for Democratic Lt. Gov. candidate
By Nicolas Biernacki | 3 days agoEligible voters can find more information about early voting by consulting the City Department of Voter Registration & Elections website or the County Department of Elections website.
