MUZAFFARABAD: Severe human rights violations have persisted for decades in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, where the people’s suffering spans more than seven decades.
In October 1947, India forcibly occupied Jammu and Kashmir against the will of its people and in violation of the Indian Independence Act. The issue was later taken to the United Nations Security Council, which has since passed five resolutions on Kashmir, none of which have been implemented.
Since 2019, the region has faced the world’s longest internet shutdown, following the revocation of Article 370 by the Modi government on August 5, 2019. The move stripped Kashmir of its special status, a step seen as part of the ruling BJP’s agenda to settle non-Kashmiris, particularly Hindus, in the region.
The abrogation of Article 370 has dealt severe blows to the local economy and employment, with unemployment rates reaching alarming levels.
Altaf Hussain Wani noted that India’s Supreme Court failed to take up the case challenging Article 370’s revocation for five years.
Prominent Kashmiri leaders have continued to reject Indian control. Syed Ali Gilani maintained that Jammu and Kashmir is not part of India and that its people must be granted the right to self-determination. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said there is neither democracy nor rule of law in occupied Kashmir, adding that Indian forces have been deployed against unarmed civilians.
Mishal Malik, wife of jailed Hurriyat leader Yasin Malik, said India has failed to crush the Kashmiri people’s freedom movement. She urged the United Nations to take immediate action and introduce a new resolution to prevent demographic changes and ensure a fair census in the region. The steadfastness and resilience of the Kashmiri people continue to demonstrate their rejection of India’s illegal occupation.
