The forced removal of local groups disguised as development remains an urgent global topic, with the latest development in 2025 highlighting the seriousness of the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and Israeli occupation in Gaza. Systematic threats, economic restrictions and cultural erosion continue to arise in these regions, justified under the banner of development and safety.
However, the reality on the ground shows deliberate efforts to change
demographic characteristics, change control and undermine the rights of
Indigenous communities. Transformation initiatives including the construction
of highways, new towns and industrial areas, these projects have been promoted
as efforts to increase economic growth and connection, but have led to
widespread evacuation of the local community. Srinagar and Jammu have forced
over 15,000 families, many of whom are farmers and small landowners.
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These projects prioritize the interests of non-Kashmiri investors and businesses, further alienating local residents. Construction of the satellite town along the environmental road drove out another 5,000 families in 2025. This led locals to fear that these townships would lead to a non-Kashmiris influx, and the demographic balance of the region would change. Additionally, the Indian Army has acquired a large country road for the construction of new military bases and infrastructure. This will only be used for military use in the Balamura and Kupuwara districts. This led to protests and clashes with residents who view these actions as part of a broader strategy to enhance local control.
Economic
restrictions, including frequent internet closures and movements, further
suppress local businesses, exacerbate unemployment and create an environment of
dependence and despair. Previously, special autonomous areas were granted. The
removal of this constitutional clause allowed the purchase of land in the area,
with the fear of demographic changes and cultural erosion. According to a
report by Amnesty International 2025, over 3,000 land deals have been finalized
with non-Kashmiris since the abrogation, further displacing local communities
and undermining their economic stability. The Indian government defends these
measures as necessary for economic development and integration, but critics
argue that they are part of a broader strategy for integrating regional
control.
In recent years, Israel continued to deteriorate,
and expanded its settlement projects and tightened its economic lockdown. The
construction of new settlements has encroached on Palestinian land, pushing
communities into increasingly confined areas. According to the report of UN Human
Rights Council, more than 700,000 Israeli settlers live on the occupied West
Bank, with over 60% of the territory living in over 60% of the territory. The
economic blockade, justified for security reasons, has crippled local
industries and made it almost impossible for Palestinians to access important
goods and services. Gaza's unemployment rate reached an astounding 65%, with
80% of the population relying on international survival aid.
The lockdown also severely restricts access to healthcare, education and clean water, creating a humanitarian crisis that shows no signs of deposits, according to UN agencies. Israeli politics in Gaza reflects actions in the West Bank, where the construction of separation barriers and expansion of settlements fragment and resist the Palestinian community. It is important as the United States continues to provide military aid and diplomatic support to both India and Israel.
In 2025, the US will increase military aid of US$3.8 billion, most of
which will be used to maintain crews and expand settlements such as
Congressional Research Services (2025). Similarly, the US maintains strong ties
with India and is often deviating from criticizing policies in Kashmir. This
double standard in global politics undermines efforts to take government into
account for human rights abuses, immortalizing conflict and unstable cycles.
The failure to resolve these injustices has attracted considerable attention,
particularly from the Indian media.
The recent visit of
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Pakistan has drawn significant
attention, particularly from Indian media. Erdogan's statements, which called
for a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir issue in line with United Nations
resolutions, were met with strong criticism from Indian officials, who reiterated
that Kashmir is an integral part of India. This diplomatic tension highlights
the broader geopolitical implications of the Kashmir conflict and the
international community's growing concern over human rights violations in the
region.
The forced shifts and
economic management in Kashmir and Gaza are not isolated incidents but part of
a broader pattern of systematic oppression. In both regions, development
projects and security measures are often used as tools to control local
population groups at the expense of their rights and livelihoods. The loss of
land associated with economic restrictions has created a cycle of dependence
and despair, making it increasingly difficult for Indigenous communities to
maintain their cultural identity and resist. The continued suffering of
Kashmiri and Palestinian people demands urgent global attention.
As both regions are part
of the Islamic world, it is crucial for Muslim nations to unite and take a firm
stand against these injustices. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
has often issued statements condemning these actions, but stronger collective
action is needed. The Muslim world must use diplomatic, economic, and political
means to hold India and Israel accountable for their actions. Unity among Muslim
nations can create significant pressure on the international stage, ensuring
that the voices of Kashmiris and Palestinians are heard. Only through a united
front can these oppressed populations hope for justice, dignity, and the right
to live peacefully in their homelands.
The writer is a research intern at the Kashmir
Institute of International Relations (KIIR) and serves as the Chapter Head of
HEAL Pakistan at Islamic International University Islamabad, an initiative
dedicated to fostering humanity, education empowerment, awareness, and
leadership.