In his inaugural address to the United Nations General Assembly, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar spotlighted the grave issue of India’s presence in Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing the shadow of state-sponsored terrorism that looms over the region. Kakar condemned India’s deployment of 900,000 soldiers in Kashmir, along with the frequent lockdowns and curfews, and the imprisonment of politicians, journalists, and human rights activists over the past four years.
He also highlighted the alarming instances of extrajudicial killings and collective punishment meted out to innocent Muslims. Kakar’s plea to the international community resonates with the call for peace between India and Pakistan, envisioning a resolution of the Kashmir issue in accordance with UN resolutions. Additionally, he hailed Pakistan’s offer of mutual restraint on strategic and conventional weapons as a crucial step toward global peace.
Historically, the plight of Muslims in India has been deeply intertwined with geographical and political factors. The British colonial policies, combined with a lingering resentment toward the Muslim rule over India, shaped a mindset among some Hindus that aspired to establish a Hindu-majority nation where Muslims would live as a subordinate community. This manifested in various ways, including the desecration of religious sites and a concerted effort to marginalize Muslims from mainstream society and politics. These factors left Muslims anxious about their status in post-colonial India, ultimately contributing to the call for an autonomous political presence in areas with a Muslim majority.
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The seeds of the two-nation theory were sown during this period, leading to the partition of India and Pakistan. Unfortunately, instead of learning from the bloodshed that accompanied this separation, India has become an increasingly inhospitable place for Muslims and other minority groups that do not conform to the dominant Hindu lifestyle.
Prime Minister Kakar’s assertions are not baseless accusations; they are substantiated by the 2023 Human Rights Watch Report, which details the persistent human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir. The report cites alarming statistics, including deaths in police and judicial custody and extrajudicial killings, despite India’s annexation of the region.
The notorious Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act continues to provide security forces with effective impunity for serious human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir. Furthermore, instances of collective punishment against Muslims have been reported, such as the demolition of properties owned by Muslims in response to communal clashes in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Delhi.
Islamophobia remains rampant in India, as demonstrated by a BJP politician’s insensitive remark about Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), which sparked nationwide protests. Excessive force was used in response to these protests, leading to casualties. Additionally, allegations against Muslims following communal violence led to the demolition of their homes in Uttar Pradesh and a lack of impartial investigation into these actions.
The Indian courts’ decision to release 11 men who had been sentenced to life in prison for their involvement in the 2002 anti-Muslim riots raises concerns about the disregard for the human rights of Muslims. Similarly, the distribution of photographs of over 100 Muslim women on an app, with the intent to humiliate and incite fear, underscores the deeply troubling atmosphere.
A report from the UK-based Business and Human Rights Resource Centre suggests that India could be one of the most dangerous countries for human rights and labor activists in 2022.
While the Indian government may have imposed constitutional changes in Kashmir and projected an image of normalcy, the truth remains that the people of Kashmir harbor profound resentment for the loss of their independence, the erosion of their dignity, and the denial of their democratic right to self-determination. The forced political solutions imposed on Kashmiris have further alienated them from the Indian center, making elections a contentious issue for Delhi.
It is crucial to recognize that being a Kashmiri is distinct from being an Indian, and addressing this fundamental distinction holds the key to fostering peace in Kashmir and the broader region.
