Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg unwittingly opens old wounds between India and Pakistan over Kashmir with Internet.Org post

He shared a infographic featuring a map of India without Kashmir

Kashmira Gander
Wednesday 20 May 2015 14:18 BST
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Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is renowned for his wacky New Year’s resolutions (Getty)
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is renowned for his wacky New Year’s resolutions (Getty) (Getty)

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Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has unwittingly reopened old wounds between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, with a post on his Timeline.

Zuckerberg sparked the debate by sharing a photo on Facebook – which he has since deleted - about his side-project Internet.org, which aims to connect the two thirds of the world which don’t have internet access.

The post boasted how the organisation had connected parts of Malawi, southeast Africa to the internet, and featured an infographic showcases past successes - including India.

Mark Zuckerberg's post on Facebook (Image: Facebook)
Mark Zuckerberg's post on Facebook (Image: Facebook) (Facebook)

However, some of his followers were more concerned with how India was depicted than his project.

One such user, Akhil Dev, commented “Great Job, Please correct the Indian MAP on this Picture, Kashmir is Missing.”

Facebook user Ashu Dhar wrote: "Dear Mark, you have been to India several times, you should have confirmed the Indian map, before sharing this photo.

"I belong to that state which you have not shown as part of India. Truly disappointing."

However, another, Amol Swift, wrote: “I'm an Indian and this should not offend you! Kashmir is a part which is not completely controlled by our Government.

"This map shows India with only its parts being controlled by the Government perhaps thats why there isnt any Kashmir in it."

Kashmir is disputed because the law which divide India in 1947 allowed the territory to accede to India or Pakistan.

Hari Singh, the Maharaja, wanted the area to stay independent, but decided to join India in exchange for military support and a referendum.

However, many people would prefer to win independence, or be governed by Pakistan.

Since 1947, the the debate surrounding Kashmir has sparked three wars between India and Pakistan, in: 1947, 1965 and 1999.

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