Atish, if you think about it rationally, Desi has made a very practical observation. What's the point of keeping a group of people forcibly with you when they dont want to? Giving it to Pakistan isnt an option as our water resources are all in Kashmir or via Kashmir. And the fact is that even Kashmiris today want independence and even straight thinking Pakistani analysts realize this. So if we conduct a plebiscite today, with Azadi, Pakistan and India as options. I am afraid India might end up as the last sought choice.
There are other factors at play here. Jammu and Ladakh are definitely pro-India so that just leaves the Kashmir valley. And even if Kashmiris are allowed to proceed on their own, there is an ever-present danger of Pakistan forcibly imposing its will, the way it did in 1948. After all, their entire political stance against India has been built on the premise that Kashmir belongs to Pakistan. So they wont let an independent Kashmir stay so for long. Plus, after having spent so many men and materials, and foght over it globally, India cant risk a plebiscite. Bit if you ask non-Kashmiris living in kashmir - the army, bureucrats, journalists, the last chance India had of winning back Kashmiri hearts was in the late 80s. But now much water has flowed in the Jhelum and the bitter truth is that majority of Kashmiris dont consider themselves Indians.