Mehr Ispahani
Post-2019, IIOJK is a place that has undergone significant changes in terms of its political status and governance. In 2019, after BJP came into power with a resounding majority, it revoked the special status of IIOJK in Aug same year, a move that sparked widespread controversy and unrest. At first, the people of IIOJK protested the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A, through peaceful demonstrations. However, the government responded with such heavy-handedness that they were forced to use more assertive forms of resistance.
This move by Indian government was seen, by many, as a violation of IIOJK autonomy and a disregard for the sentiments of local people, further fueling protests and clashes in the area. Seemingly overnight, the lives of millions of Kashmiris living in IIOJK were radically altered.
When criticized over their policy, BJP-led Indian government tried to justify that it was necessary for development and integration of IIOJK into rest of India. They went on to project falseclaim that the special status has actually hindered economic growth and developments in-line with the policies of the central government.
However, despite these claims, the fact is that revocation has only deepened the sense of alienation among Kashmiris and further eroded trust between them and the Indian state. Given the statistics that have emerged in a recent document that was published by IIOJK police, it seems that after the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A, violent reaction by local Kashmiris is overtaking the peaceful protests out of desperation in the face of Indian government rigidity and stubbornness to the just demands of local Kashmiris.
The document is based on 17 security indicators and it illustrates the lengths to which Kashmiri freedom movement has gone to try and achieve its goals, overwhelmingly by resorting to armed struggle against oppressing Indian security forces.
The approach taken by Indian government has led to a significant increase in number of IED blasts (45%) and grenade attacks (50%). Each of the government’s attempts to dismantle the indigenous freedom movement is met with resistance and persistent determination from the Kashmiris. This has also led to twice as many instances of stand-off firing and hit-and-runs (43%), which makes it evident that despite the disproportionate use of excessive force by security personnel, Kashmiris continue to resist the cruelty inflicted upon them, by any means necessary.
The hatred that has been bubbling for the last four years seems to have boiled over in the form of these activities, while others of more peaceful nature have drastically decreased. Instances of stone pelting, and hartal/bandh calls have actually gone down by 62%, and 42%, respectively. This suggests that the freedom fighters are shifting their focus from low-level confrontations to high-impact attacks as a means of venting their growing resentment to make their voices heard. Despite the countless deaths over the years, their spirits remain unbroken, and they continue to fight for their rights. The escalating violence and oppression only seem to fuel the freedom fighters’ determination.
Government’s attempts to change the demographic makeup of the region by encouraging migration and settlement of Hindus have also sparked tensions and resentment among local Muslim population. Through abrogation of 35A and the subsequent implementation of new domicile laws, Indian government has been accused of undermining the rights and identity of the indigenous Kashmiri people, in stark contradiction to the UN resolution on the Kashmir issue.
In 2019, after their sinister plan was set in motion, population of Hindus within IIOJK rose from 6% to 12.1%. Not only Hinduswere given incentives to relocate to the region, the government also facilitated construction of new settlements exclusively for Hindus. This further fueled the existing tensions between Hindus and Muslims in IIOJK, as it was seen as an attempt to alter the demographic composition to marginalize indigenous Kashmiri population.
The people of IIOJK were left feeling marginalized and betrayed, as their voices and concerns were completely ignored. Add to this the reports of violations of human rights in the area, including arbitrary detentions, restrictions on freedom of speech and movement, and excessive use of force by security forces, and you have an extremely volatile and unstable situation.
For the people of Kashmir the recent illegal and inhuman measures by Indian state has pushed them to the wall, the only way out of this nightmare for them is by taking up armed struggle against the oppressors and fight for their right to self-determination. Until their voices are heard, the freedom strugglein IIOJK is likelyto continue.
The responsibility to end this senseless cycle of oppression falls on Indian government. It is crucial for them to revoke the abrogation of articles 370 and 35A, address the grievances of the citizens, restore their rights and freedoms, and remunerate them for the injustices they have endured. The international community must also play a role in holding the Indian government accountable for its actions and supporting the aspirations of the oppressed population. Without these steps, the situation in IIOJK will continue to deteriorate, leading to further unrest.
This unrest will add to the frustrations of the Indian government which will translate itself into infliction of more atrocities on innocent Kashmiris. But the wheel will not stop here as after failing to control the situation Indian government will resort to the usual rhetoric of levelling interference blames upon Pakistan. To gain political mileage in the face of domestic pressure, BJP government may also resort to somemisadventure against Pakistan, thus putting the peace and stability of Sub continent at stake.
—The writer is a contributing columnist, strategist and lecturer. Email: [email protected]
