Psychological Impact of Indo-Pak Conflicts on the General Public

Abstract

This paper is an exploratory research on the psychological impact of Indo-Pak conflicts on the general public. The Indo-Pak relations have been a point of dispute since before the inception of Pakistan. Throughout history, both sides have been not only separated by land, but also by their very identity. Hence, their multi-layered and psychologically obsessed nature is discernible. The motivation, purpose and validity is derived out of the non-existence of specific published research or literature on the psychological impact of the oft-occurring Indo-Pak border confrontations on the civilians. Relevant literature is studied that analyses the three main themes of the paper i.e. (i) the psychological impact of war; (ii) issues pertaining to India and Pakistan; and, (iii) disarmament/denuclearisation as a possible solution. The objective of the research is to determine if war is universally feared; if people support other peaceful means of dispute settlements; whether people possess knowledge of nuclear arms and the possible consequences of a nuclear war, and if disarmament is seen as a potential solution to achieve global peace and groups like Global Zero are supported; if Indo-Pak civilians experience adverse psychological impacts due to the border conflicts and confrontations which are not seldom; if these civilians are prejudiced by factors such as social and personal history and/or are influenced by the media, or if they nurture warm or neutral sentiments towards one another (which is not generally the perceived opinion on either side of the border); and, whether Indo-Pak civilians wish to achieve regional peace; see hope in the future of Indo-Pak relations, especially if the Bone of Contention (Kashmir Issue) is resolved; and, whether or not they see a denuclearized South Asia as a source of harmony. Questionnaire method and cross-sectional survey method was adopted for this exploratory study with only structured questions to obtain primary data. Secondary data includes the statistically tested aforementioned primary data, as well as, resources from the internet, books and other references. The results proved most of the inferences made, adequate solutions were proposed in addition to disarmament/denuclearisation (which too was a popular opinion), and the study proved significant for addressing an existing ‘gap’ in the case specific (Indo-Pak) study of psychological impacts of international conflicts.