The Peoples Democratic Party has said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Indian government is curbing freedom of expression and if the status quo continues, it will lead to the death of democracy.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the PDP in the November edition of its newsletter ‘Speak Up’ said: “Nine journalists have been arbitrarily arrested. We may not have seen the birth of Indian democracy but if the status quo doesn’t change, we’ll be forced to watch it die. After silencing journalists, they are going after government employees next and the Indian government has warned them of dire consequences for participating in any protests or voicing their concerns.”
The party also said that Kashmiris were not allowed to voice their concerns for war-hit Palestine or hold community prayers for Palestinians. “If you think censorship only applies to Indian issues, think again. For the first time in history, India has openly taken a pro-Israel stance and Kashmiris were prevented from protesting for Palestine. The world saw millions of people from all nationalities and religions come out in protest for Palestine but Kashmiri preachers were not even allowed to hold community prayers for our Palestinian brethren,” it deplored.
Taking a jibe at the Election Commission, the party said the poll body maintains that elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be held when it deems it is the right time.
“The right time has become somewhat of a riddle, if you will. No collateral damage, total normalcy, no law and order problems but the time for elections is never quite right’. Because that would involve giving our people the democratic right to choose their government, an idea that GOI finds disquieting at best. Things are always normal, militancy is extinct and the economy is perpetually scaling new heights until someone drops the word, “election” and that’s when the pall of gloom descends,” it added.—KMS
