FOR decades, India has employed various tactics in illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir to obscure the reality of its occupation and project a semblance of normalcy. The latest electoral process there is yet another manifestation of it.
The significant presence of over a million troops—coupled with the heavy surveillance and restrictions imposed in places like Srinagar—creates an atmosphere that contradicts any claims of normalcy. Kashmiris have unequivocally rejected these elections, viewing them as a calculated strategy to divert attention from their legitimate struggle for self-determination. The voices of local leaders resonate with a singular demand: a UN-sanctioned plebiscite, as promised by numerous UNSC resolutions which acknowledge the right of the Kashmiri people to determine their own future, a right that remains unfulfilled amidst India’s relentless efforts to maintain its grip on the territory. The Indian elections cannot be a substitute for the fundamental right of self-determination, nor can they erase the history of oppression and violence that has marked the Kashmiri experience under Indian rule. Human rights violations, from arbitrary detentions to extrajudicial killings, have become all too familiar in IIOJK, with the international community often turning a blind eye. The resilience of the Kashmiri people is remarkable. Despite decades of oppression, they have not succumbed to the tactics of intimidation and fear. Their struggle for freedom is not just a political aspiration¡ it is a deeply rooted quest for identity and dignity. History has shown that such struggles, steeped in the blood and sacrifice of countless individuals, cannot be silenced or extinguished. In the light of these realities, it is imperative for the Indian Government to reconsider its intransigence. Genuine dialogue with both Pakistan and Kashmiri leadership is essential to move toward a resolution of this long-standing dispute. Moreover, the international community must fulfil its promises to the people of Kashmir. Silence and inaction only serve to embolden the status quo, perpetuating the cycle of violence and suffering. It is time for the world to recognize the legitimate rights of Kashmiris and to stand with them in their pursuit of self-determination.
