KASHMIR SOLIDARITY DAY: TRIBUTE TO FREEDOM STRUGGLE OF KASHMIRIS

KASHMIR SOLIDARITY DAY:  TRIBUTE TO FREEDOM STRUGGLE OF KASHMIRIS

This year, on February 5, the world will once again experience the unyielding courage and perseverance of over 9 million Kashmiris fighting for their undeniable right to self-determination and freedom. The Kashmir solidarity day itself holds the significance of highlighting the entrenched and inspirational stories of Kashmiris followed by intensified and untold events of continued human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir IIOJK.

Intern At KIIR


Understanding what “solidarity with Kashmir” actually means is important. In the first place, it emphasizes respecting the just rights of a community (Kashmiris) seeking self-determination. Secondly, it holds the significance of acknowledging and addressing the gross human rights violations in IIOJK. Thirdly, it reaffirms that the Kashmiri struggle for freedom is indeed a struggle against tyranny, surveillance, media blackouts, land dispossession, and at large the ongoing settler colonialism. Lastly, it calls upon the United Nations and the international community to reiterate the need to stop Indian authorities and security forces from undergoing genocide of Kashmiris since 1947.


Kashmir, a place of infinite beauty, but a disputed territory, is in a state of constant bloodshed, fear, and destruction. With millions of Kashmiris killed, women raped, children wounded and various properties damaged, the valley has turned into a nightmare for thousands of Kashmiris suffering from extrajudicial killings, illegal imprisonments, detentions, and forced disappearances. 

The Kashmiri freedom struggle never died. With the forced arrival of Indian troops on October 27, 1947, the Kashmiris went under a nonending cycle of gore and trauma. The fake promises of conducting a free plebiscite under Nehru’s government following the declaration of UN resolution 47, the Kashmiri freedom movement intensified in the early 90s and 2000 when the Indian security forces brutally killed Burhan Wani resulting in the further escalation of the conflict.


The major factor behind the manifestation of human rights violations in IIOJK has been and remains the extremist, far-right Hindutva ideology of India’s ruling party the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party). With its objective to Hinduize the IIOJK, the BJP is the political wing and under the influence of RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) carried out mass blindings and killings of Kashmiri freedom fighters. The atrocities could not be broadcast to the world as Modi placed a curfew and media blackout in the valley. 


Since 2019, the voices of Kashmiris for freedom have been silenced, following the abrogation of Kashmir’s special status by the unlawful actions of the BJP under Modi’s government. Moreover, the extension of unlawful draconian laws (notably AFSPA, PSA, and UAPA) gives Indian security forces and police personnel a free pass to kill innocent Kashmiris. These laws grant the brutal security forces impunity from civil persecution. The Sopore massacre, the Gawkadal massacre, and the Bijbehara massacre reflect the manifestation of such laws following the BJP’s extremist ideologies. 


As of the BJP’s recent attempt to erase the Muslim identity in the IIOJK, the Modi administration has ordered the renaming of approximately 33 educational institutions and numerous roads after various Indian military personnel and other Hindu victims were killed during various incidents in the disputed territory. The change in curriculum is followed by introducing Ramayana studies in schools and colleges of IIOJK. This unjust move of RSS is proof that Kashmiri's freedom struggle is just and is indeed proof that Muslims needed a separate homeland based on the principles of Islam.


Disrespected in their own homes, killed on their land, left wounded, beaten, slaughtered, and destroyed, the Kashmiris are still fighting for their rights and just freedom. Unfortunately, the Kashmir conflict has been a protracted unresolved agenda of the United Nations, fueling the animosity between Indian Security forces and the freedom fighters, with the former using heavy weapons against innocent Kashmiris, and the latter relying on stone pelting.

Divided by borders, united by faith the Muslims in IIOJK, Pakistan, and worldwide seek for the peaceful settlement of the Kashmir Conflict. Tied with strong bonds of history, culture, and religion, the Pakistanis and Kashmiris share mutual support and trust for the Kashmir cause. Respecting the faith of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Pakistan reiterates the significance of Kashmir being the “Jugular Vein” of Pakistan.


Due to sustained Indian oppression and the ongoing curfew, it is evident that the world now sympathizes with the Kashmiri's struggle. Today the world sees hundreds of thousands of people on the streets shouting against Indian authority and at most hurling stones against soldiers equipped with shotguns and teargas. The world therefore sees an imbalance the stone versus the gun, the oppressed versus the oppressor. The world acknowledges that someone does not have to be a Muslim, a Kashmiri, or a Pakistani to support the freedom struggle of Kashmiris but, to be a HUMAN for protesting against the massive human rights violations in IIOJK. 


So let 2024, be the year of alleviating human suffering wherever it may be found. Let’s sympathize with the Kashmir cause and express our solidarity with Kashmiris. Let’s let the world know once again that Kashmiris are not alone in their freedom struggle, every Pakistani is with them. Let’s stand together to pursue peace in IIOJK, today and forever. 

 

The writer is a student of Peace & Conflict Studies at the National Defense University, Islamabad, and is currently serving as an intern at the Kashmir Institute of International Relations.

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