Pic: Meraj-ud-Din
THE Gujral doctrine may
be the flavour of the season in official circles,
but as far as the common people are concerned,
there is little hope of improved relations with
Pakistan. It remains the traditional adversary.
Nor is there any visible optimism about the
conflict in Kashmir ever getting resolved. What
is certain, however, is that Indians don't take
very kindly to any move to further divide the
country. Kashmir may be outside most people's
direct experience, but without it, India does not
remain India to Indians.
Of course, what will remain as India is a
question that has got many thinking in these
volatile times: less than 41 per cent are certain
about India staying together.
Will relations
with Pakistan ever improve?
Don't Know / Can' t Say: 26
|
Do you think India will
stay united in the next 50 years, or disintegrate
into independent nations?
| STAY
UNITED |
41 |
| DISINTEGRATE |
36 |
| DK
/ CS |
23 |
DK / CS: Don't Know/ Can' t Say
Will the
Kashmir problem ever get solved?
Don't Know 29
Is it worth
keeping Kashmir in India?
Rest: Don't Know / Can' t Say
All figures in percentage
The graphs are only representative, not to scale
|
50 years of
existence as an independent nation has produced
convictions, attitudes and fears which are real, tangible
and, more important, identifiable. An exhaustive India
Today-ORG-Marg Independence poll sought to track and
interpret some of these. 
