The people of IIOJK are constantly fighting a freedom struggle against the Illegal Indian occupation of Kashmir since 27 October 1947 while enduring the worst kind of Indian state terrorism. Kashmiris in IIOJK, Pakistan and around the world observed October 27 as the darkest day of their history as a continued protest against the occupation of their territory. In October and November 1947, the Dogra Army, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, and the Indian National Army massacred 237,000 Muslims. This was the first genocide on such a massive scale after the Second World War. The massacre reduced the Muslim population in Jammu from 61% to 33%. The murderous campaign against Muslims by Hindu extremists continues to this day. In the past 76 years, millions of Kashmiris have lost lives to Indian tyranny and terrorism.
On October 27, 1947, the perpetual suffering of the Kashmiri people started with the invasion of Jammu and Kashmir by the Indian Army in total disregard to the partition plan of the subcontinent, against the Kashmiris’ aspirations, and all principles of international law. After the independence Kashmir was regarded, as an adjoining state with a predominantly Muslim population, that would accede to Pakistan. However, its ruler, Maharaja Hari Singh, the last maharaja ruler of Kashmir who was already facing internal agitation and the Quit Kashmir movement against his “autocratic” rule on 27 October 1947 acceded J&K to India through an improper and illegal Instrument of Accession and on the same day, India winched its forces to Srinagar and illegally occupied the Kashmir valley. Hence, October 27 is undoubtedly the darkest day in the history of Kashmir as Kashmiris were sold to India regardless of the Indian Independence Act, Partition Plan, and against their wishes.
Since then, India has shredded more international laws in IIOJK than imaginable: the UNSC Resolution of 1948 that mandates a plebiscite and the Geneva Conventions that prohibit an occupation force from transferring its civilian population into held territory – were all violated by India. Moreover, the unilateral action to change the status quo in IIOJK also violates the 1972-Simla Agreement between Pakistan and India. The so-called Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Order 2020 is another illegal step by India to settle non-Kashmiris in IIOJK by changing the domicile laws. This violates international law, including the 4th Geneva Convention. India’s undemocratic and illegal move to abrogate Articles 370 and 35 A is a blatant violation of UNSC resolutions on Kashmir namely UNSCR 38, 47, 51, 91 and 122. The removal of 35A is aimed at affecting a demographic change, which the BJP considers prescriptive for controlling the territory. Kashmiris fear what they call BJP’s “Israeli model” to establish settler colonies that will favor Indian rule in the disputed region.
The renewed Kashmiri intifada in 2008 was triggered by fear of “land grab” and “demographic terrorism.” That year, the IIOJK government agreed to transfer 40 hectares of forest land to Amarnath shrine; a Hindu pilgrimage site in the Himalayas. The proposal included setting up new housing facilities for pilgrims. Kashmiris took to the streets fearing the establishment of separate Hindu settlements. The resistance leaders called the move “establishing a state within a state.” Parallels were drawn with Israel Land Authority’s new constructions in Har Homa, East Jerusalem in 2005. The same is being done today through the issuance of new domicile law by India.
India’s atrocities in IIOJK and mainland India reflect the systematic cleansing of Muslims to achieve RSS’ long-cherished objective to establish a ‘Brahminical State’ purported by Sadhvi Saraswati that India would be a ‘Hindu Rashtra’ by 2023. Since 1991, the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) has become pivotal in controlling the region with 900,000 Indian troops. Today, the soldier-civilian ratio – of 1:8 – makes IIOJK one of the most militarized regions in the world. After Article 35A, things are becoming even worse for Kashmiris.
More than 500 prominent political leaders and workers were detained after India announced the repeal of Article 370 of its Constitution. Almost all Hurriyat leaders were put under house arrest or in jail. By detaining these pro-liberation leaders in IIOJK, India is trying to silence dissent. Reportedly, those political leaders, who have been released, have signed bonds stopping them from speaking against the abrogation of Article 370.
Amnesty International in its report published on 10 June 2022 titled, “Increase in Unlawful Killings in Jammu & Kashmir” reported that “for decades, people of Jammu & Kashmir have suffered from gross human rights violations and abuses committed by both state and non-state actors. It stated that 87 civilians were killed by armed groups in IIOJK from August 2019 to November 2021.” The US Human Rights Watch (HRW) in its latest report published in 2022 exposed India’s real face to the world by highlighting the Indian authority’s repressive laws in IIOJK. The report expressed concern over excessive use of force and torture in IIOJK during cordon and search operations, resulting in civilian deaths.
India is closely following the Israeli playbook in implementing its devilish designs in IIOJK. The recent political engagements are a ploy aimed at enticing IIOJK leadership to support the delimitation process as a prequel to the restoration of statehood to IIOJK.
