Humanitarian Catastrophe in Jammu and Kashmir

India is the biggest violator of human rights in the world. Its brutalities are no more hidden subject. The armed forces of the country, under the patronage of Hindu nationalist government, are carrying out massacre of Muslims. Since the partition of sub-continent in 1947, India is illegally occupying the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Thousands of Kashmiri people have been killed in an inhuman way by Indian security forces. On 5 August 2019, India unilaterally revoked the Article 370 and 35A of its constitution which gives special status to entire Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh.

Since that Indian move, people of Jammu and Kashmir are living under the siege and worst humanitarian lockdown. It’s been 18 months when India imposed lockdown and blocked all communication system in the valley. The political leadership of the Kashmir valley is under the house arrest. People have no access to basic necessities. Unfortunately, international community has also failed to pressurize India to lift communication blockade and lockdown in the valley. The world organizations and leaders are mere passing statements. The silence of Muslims states and organizations such as OIC, Arab league and GCC, put question mark on the unity of so called Muslim world. Pakistan is the only country who is leading the case of Indian brutalities in Jammu and Kashmir before the world. Some likeminded states such as Turkey, Malaysia and Azerbaijan are backing Pakistan’s stance to expose Indian cruel face. In solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan observed 5^th February every year as Kashmir Day.

Kashmir Solidarity Day or Kashmir Day, is a national holiday in Pakistan and also observed by entire Kashmiri people and diaspora on 5 February each year. It is in observance of Pakistan's support of and unity with the people of Indian-Occupied Kashmir, the separatists’ efforts to secede from India, and to pay homage to the Kashmiris who have died while fighting with occupied Indian Armed forces. It is a display of unity & solidarity to reassure Kashmiris that they are not alone in their struggle for freedom. Solidarity rallies are held every year on this day not only in Pakistan but in Azad Kashmir as well to reiterate the right to self-determination.

As far as Indian brutalities are concerns, Pakistan stands with Kashmiris against India occupation and Human Rights Violations. In Modi’s India, the space for minorities is being diminished. Here, international community has an obligation to help Kashmiris get right of self-determination. In addition to this, Indian illegal actions are condemnable in every way. Indian Army personnel are carrying out humanitarian catastrophe in the valley by raping and killing women. To expand its Hindutva empire and outreach, Indian government is now following Israeli model to convert Muslim majority Jammu and Kashmir into minority by allowing outsiders (non-resident of Kashmir) to buy land and residential certificate of Kashmir. People from other Indian states have now started purchasing the land Jammu and Kashmir especially after the abrogation of Article 35A, which prohibits outsiders to get permanent land and domicile of Kashmir. Hindu fanatics are now being settled in the valley. The sole objective behind these illegal actions is to accomplish the idea of Akhand Bharat (United India). The nationalist Hindu leaders are the architecture of these actions and constitutional changes.

The responsibility here lies with the world leaders and human rights/ international organizations to stop India from taking unilateral actions in Jammu and Kashmir. They should also stop India to change the demography of Jammu and Kashmir. The entire Jammu and Kashmir is boiling with the increasing militarization. The valley is also strategic point which needs global attention. With increasing Indian brutalities, Kashmir valley may trigger bigger conflict or full-fledge war between two nuclear armed countries. God forbid, if that happens, entire world will have to face consequences. PM Imran Khan rightly warned the global community about the potential threat of nuclear war between India and Pakistan over the issue of Kashmir.

PM Imran Khan while addressing 74th session of UNGA, had said he has been trying to raise the alarm at the United Nations about the danger of a nuclear war breaking out over Kashmir. The entire territory of Jammu and Kashmir is currently under heightened security, while mobile and internet services have been cut, but PM Imran Khan already predicted a popular backlash once such measures are lifted. International community must have to act with responsibility and unbiasedness. They shouldn’t see India through the prism of economic market as that is giving ample reason to India to continue with its inhumane approach in the valley against Muslims. The UN must ensure plebiscite in the valley. The UN must launch its efforts to convince the world to implement the resolution of Security Council regarding the Jammu and Kashmir.

Likewise, international community also pressurize India to stop human rights violations in the valley especially by its armed forces who are killing defenseless and innocent civilians. Because one day, these Indian actions will have spill-over effects on India as well. The world can prevent potential conflict between India and Pakistan before its happening. This area is a nuclear flash-point as I said earlier. The world cannot ignore this region and conflict as well. The time has come for the global community to launch their efforts for resolving this decades old conflict which is jeopardizing regional and global peace.