LAHORE, Aug 04: Since the Partition of the Indian Subcontinent in 1947, Kashmir has remained a contentious and unresolved issue. Pakistan and India have fought three wars over the region—in 1948, 1965, and 1999—but the dispute persists.
After Partition, millions of Kashmiris faced uncertainty regarding their future. They were required to choose between joining Pakistan or India based on geography and the wishes of their people. Since 1947, Article 370 had granted Jammu and Kashmir a semi-autonomous constitutional status.
Under Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir had autonomy in all matters except legislation, constitution, flag, communications, foreign affairs, and defense. However, tensions in the region escalated when, on August 5, 2019, the Modi-led regime revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir by abrogating Articles 370 and 35-A. This move led to a lockdown in the region, with Indian forces accused of committing severe human rights abuses against the Kashmiri population.
The All Parties Hurriyat Conference has condemned the Modi government’s actions, stating that they infringe upon the fundamental social, political, economic, and religious rights of Kashmiris.
Punjab Assembly lawmaker Mian Marghoob Ahmad noted that the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35-A has allowed non-Kashmiris to permanently settle in Kashmir, undermining the Constitution of Kashmir, which first defines membership before settlement. Non-Kashmiris can now buy and keep property in Kashmir permanently.
The changes also threaten the existence of Gujjars (Bakarwal) in Jammu and Kashmir, who migrate seasonally with their animals. The new land laws restrict their traditional way of life. There are also concerns about population rearrangement in Kashmir, with speculations that India plans to settle paramilitary families and establish military colonies.
Constitutional lawyer Mohsin Nawaz highlighted the existential threats faced by indigenous Kashmiris, particularly regarding their land rights. He referred to Kashmir as the largest open-air prison on earth and mentioned the extrajudicial killings in the Kulgam area, where the bodies were not returned to the families. According to Nawaz, the Indian government is losing the battle for the hearts and minds of Kashmiris.
The situation in Kashmir deteriorated after the abrogation of its special status on August 5, creating a nightmare for over one million oppressed Kashmiris, especially women, children, and senior citizens.
Ghulam Muhammad Safi, Convener of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir (APHC-AJK), stated that India has imposed a military siege on 10 million Kashmiris, with over 900,000 Indian forces deployed in the region. These forces have been accused of using sexual violence, rape, and collective punishment as weapons of war to suppress the freedom movement.
Since 1989, more than 162,000 Kashmiris have reportedly been tortured by Indian forces, including methods like beatings, electrocution, and sexual violence. Over 100,000 Kashmiris have been killed, more than 7,200 have died in custody, nearly 11,000 women have been raped, and about 23,000 women have been widowed.
The global community has increasingly criticized India’s actions in Kashmir, especially following the August 2019 revocation of its special status.
