As the world observes the International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims on March 24th, the plight of Kashmiris and Muslims in India demands urgent attention. Decades of documented human rights abuses in Illegally Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and in India have created a legacy of suffering, demanding answers about uncovering the truth, holding perpetrators accountable, and honoring the dignity of victims.
In IIOJK, a region entangled in a decades-long jingoism of India, actions of gross human rights violations by Indian security forces have been rife. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) 2023 report documented alleged extrajudicial killings, torture, and arbitrary detentions. Further, the report highlighted the use of pellet guns, which have caused severe injuries and blinded many Kashmiris. According to the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS), a human rights group, over 1500 people have been blinded by pellet gun injuries since 2010.
Impunity for these violations is a recurring theme. The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), a controversial law granting security forces broad powers in areas deemed disturbed, figures prominently. The act shields security forces from prosecution in civilian courts, creating a significant hurdle to holding them accountable for alleged abuses. Amnesty International has called AFSPA a “lawless law” and has documented instances where it has been misused.
Kashmiris also face restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly. The Communications Shutdown Observatory documented 157 internet shutdowns in Jammu and Kashmir in 2021 alone, severely impacting communication and access to information. Crackdowns on peaceful protests, like the one in Srinagar in April 2023 where hundreds were detained for demonstrating against civilian killings, and arbitrary detentions of political activists like Khurram Parvez, a prominent human rights defender arrested in November 2021, further stifle dissent.
The situation for Muslims in India itself also raises concerns. The 2020 Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) have been widely criticized for discriminating against Muslims. The CAA creates a pathway for citizenship for persecuted minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, excluding Muslims. The NRC, a citizenship verification process, has raised fears of disenfranchisement, particularly among Muslims who may struggle to prove their ancestry. These policies violate India’s so called claims of having a secular constitution.
Instances of communal violence against Muslims have also been a source of worry. A 2020 report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) documented several incidents of violence against Muslims by Hindu mobs, often with the complicity of the police. The Delhi Riots of February 2020, which saw widespread violence against Muslims, remain a stark reminder of the dangers of religious polarization.
Muslims in India face a web of discriminatory practices. Anti-Cow Slaughter Laws disproportionately target Muslim communities. Hate speech and incitement to violence on social media and right-wing outlets such as RSS, Bajrang Daal and BJP creates a climate of fear. Muslims are underrepresented in government and public jobs, hindering their economic mobility and political voice. Restrictions on religious practices, like limitations on prayer gatherings or mosque construction, raise concerns about religious freedom. the tragic demolition of the historic Babri Masjid by BJP-RSS zealots highlights the lack of religious freedom in India.
While statistics paint a grim picture, the true impact of these alleged human rights violations lies in the human stories. Families torn apart by disappearances, children orphaned by violence, and communities living in fear – these are the lasting consequences that demand acknowledgement.
Take the case of Inam-ul-Haq, a Kashmiri teenager who was blinded by a pellet gun in 2016. Kashmiri journalist Aasif Sultan languished in jail for nearly three years under a draconian anti-terror law, despite minimal evidence. Across India, Muslims like Mohammad Shahzad, who was attacked by a mob in Delhi in 2020, live with the trauma of communal violence. Their stories expose the precarious situation of religious minorities and the need for effective measures to prevent such attacks and ensure justice.
On this International Day, the world must urge India to take concrete steps towards addressing these concerns. This includes:
- Repealing AFSPA and ensuring accountability for security forces accused of human rights abuses.
- Lifting restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly in Kashmir.
- Revising the CAA and NRC to ensure they are non-discriminatory.
- Taking effective measures to prevent communal violence and ensure justice for victims.
The pursuit of truth and accountability is essential for healing past wounds and building a more just and peaceful future. The international community has a responsibility to press India to uphold its human rights obligations and ensure the dignity of all its citizens, irrespective of religion or ethnicity. Kashmiris and Muslims in India deserve nothing less
