THERE has been a prompt condemnation on part of OIC over India’s new draconian domicile law in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, which allows any Indian citizen who has lived in the territory for fifteen years to claim its domicile. The Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) of the OIC in a tweet termed the promulgation of new law, that aims to alter demographic and geographic status of occupied Jammu and Kashmir, as illegal and clear violation of international laws. Indeed the entire Muslim world and especially oppressed Muslims want to see the OIC to be quick in its responses on issues faced by them yet mere statements are not enough to heal their wounds. The 57-member organisations need to come up with solid practical steps to prove its vibrancy and vitality. In the past also, we have seen the OIC issuing similar condemnation statements on restrictions imposed by the Indian government in occupied Jammu and Kashmir yet these have fallen on deaf ears as they were not accompanied by practical steps that could have forced the Indian government to reconsider and review its policies. It is not only the people of occupied territory but 200 million Muslims in India also that are looking towards this august Muslim body to raise a strong voice for their rights. While Kashmiri people have been under lockdown situation over the last eight months, the Indian Muslims are also facing deep hatred and violent deaths at the hands of extremist Hindus. The most recent manifestation of which was seen in New Delhi where at least forty-five Muslims were killed and their homes and worship places burnt. What Dr Subramanian Swamy, a senior leader of the ruling BJP, said about Muslims the other day should be an eye opener for all those Muslim countries that still consider New Delhi their partner and want to increase economic partnership with it? His statement that Muslims pose threat to the world is sufficed to prove hate and prejudice that persists in India against the minority community. These open statements against Muslims and violence perpetrated against them both in occupied Kashmir and India cannot be ignored at all. We suggest that a summit level meeting of the OIC be summoned at the earliest to give a befitting response to India’s anti-Muslim attitude. While rising above their political and economic interests, the OIC counties should cut off all their economic and diplomatic relations with India until Modi government does not accept the right of self-determination of Kashmiri people and treats its Muslim population as equal citizens. It is time for the OIC to emerge as real protector of the rights of Muslims, the purpose for which it was created.
