Kashmiri Muslims have been struggling for their basic human rights for over ninety years. Their struggle has passed through different phases: pre partition, post partition, post Burhan Wani, Post 5th August, etc. Their generations have seen and beard countless unforgettable events of massacres, rapes and tortures. Their history of unmatched struggle for freedom has never witnessed a single moment when Kashmiri Muslims gave up their struggle and bowed down to Indian brutal forces. They lost their sons, their daughters & mothers got raped by Indian inhuman forces, women lost their husbands and children lost their parents but they never gave up. Indian brutality continues and Kashmiri struggle for freedom never ends.
Kashmir Dispute appeared on global stage when United Nations didn’t hesitate to intervene in the conflict in 1948.[1] Several resolutions were passed and UN promised a plebiscite for people of Jammu & Kashmir to decide their political destiny. But, it never happened. UN had been reluctant throughout history to take practical measures to save the Kashmiri Muslims from Indian barbaric actions in Kashmir. Even, International media and International human rights organizations didn’t take issue serious. Everyone was looking Kashmir Conflict from the Indian lens. Indian forces continued to kill the innocent unarmed Kashmiri Muslims in the name of terrorism. Kashmir was being treated as it was not part of this world, as the people of Kashmir were not human beings, as they didn’t deserve attention.
The killing of Burhan Wani and the massive protests after 8th July 2016, sought the world’s attention.[2] Few from International media outlets and many social media activists started to realise that India had been fooling the world about Kashmir resistance. Indian atrocities further increased in post Burhan Wani era. The use of internationally banned pellet guns became common practice of Indian brutal forces. From 2016 to August 2019, thousands of Kashmiri Muslims were blinded, tortured and brutally killed. Rape has been used as weapon of war for over seven decades especially from last thirty years. But, did UN hesitate to intervene? No, they didn’t. Major Powers of the world ignored the Indian atrocities in Kashmir.
BJP-led government abrogate the Article 370 and removed the special status of IOJ&K on 5th August 2019[3]. Before doing this injustice to the people of Kashmir, the entire valley was put under strict curfew and internet shutdown. This Indian government action was against UN resolutions, bilateral agreement between India and Pakistan and also against internationally recognized fundamental human rights. International media and renowned human rights organizations had been exposing Indian atrocities in Kashmir. The illegal Indian actions were being criticised across the global. UN holds a meeting on Kashmir dispute after over fifty years but nothing comes concrete out of that meeting.[4] It seems that it was just a formality which had to be fulfilled.
Thousands of articles have been written on Kashmir conflict since Indian government abrogated the Article 370. Many international human rights organizations have raised serious concerns over BJP-led Indian government’s agenda in Kashmir. But, it hasn’t worked. UN was formed to protect the fundamental human rights and resolve the conflicts peacefully. It has miserably failed in case of Kashmir Dispute.
Major Powers could have resolved the Kashmir dispute but they preferred economy over humanity. They see India as big market for them, so they overlook Indian illegal actions in Kashmir. For example, the US which claims to be the sole super power in the world never threatened India of economic sanctions in case of Kashmir. Does the US not know about Indian brutal and illegal actions in Kashmir? It does. But, it doesn’t care about the Kashmiri Muslims. It does care about its economy. The US has declared India as its strategic ally in the South Asian region.[5] They enjoy good trade relations. The US will never go against India.
In addition to it, France also claims to be one of the human rights champions in the world. But, they don’t question India over its illegal and draconian occupation of IOJ&K. French government is serious about its Rafael deal with India but it has no issue over the dying humanity in Kashmir.[6] Almost same is the case with Russia and UK. China has been assisting in Kashmir Case because China has economic terms with Pakistan. Their claims of being human rights champions are false. They are doing nothing for Kashmir dispute, but protecting their economic interests. When it comes to Kashmir, all go into deep slumber.
If these major powers continue this inhuman attitude in case of Kashmir, then world might witness serious implications for peace in South Asia. BJP-led government is following the agenda of Akhand Bharat, which means a pure Hindu State with no minorities. Their first target is Kashmir, then the Indian Muslims and then other minorities living in India. Indian government has unleashed its plans to change the demographic in Kashmir. After abrogation of Article 370, they have introduced new domicile law in Kashmir. According to new domicile law, those who have resided for a period of 15 years in Indian-administered Kashmir or studied for a period of seven years and appeared in Class 10/12 examinations in educational institutions located in the region are now eligible to become permanent residents.[7]
There are two types of crisis which are unfolding in this region. First the humanitarian crisis in Kashmir and also inside India, and second India’s conflict with Pakistan over Kashmir. BJP-led government is hell bent on destroying all fundamental human rights. Their aim to achieve Akhand Bharat is threatening the existence of minorities especially Indian Muslims. This will create the biggest humanitarian crisis in the world. In case of Kashmir, Pakistan and India both are nuclear powers. India’s unilateral inhuman and illegal actions in Kashmir as well as on LOC are threatening the peace of South Asian Region. If both countries go into war, then it will have detrimental impact on peace in South Asia. And the nuclear war between these two will have global impact.
The Indian stubborn attitude needs to be dealt with an iron hand. Without taking practical steps, International community especially major powers can’t stop Indian war against peace and humanity. UN can impose economic sanctions on India for killing thousands of unarmed civilians in Kashmir. ICC can hold Indian government accountable for gross human rights violations in IOK. Major Powers can threaten India to boycott until it stops barbaric actions against Kashmiri Muslims. If there is a will, there is a way!
Zeeshan Showkat
The author is currently affiliated with Legal Forum for Oppressed voices of Kashmir as a socio- legal research associate.
Copyright @ Legal Forum for the Oppressed Voices of Kashmir
[1] http://unscr.com/en/resolutions/47
[2] Fahad Shah, “Kashmir: 2 Years After Burhan Wani”, The Diplomat, 10 July 2018. https://thediplomat.com/2018/07/kashmir-2-years-after-burhan-wani/
[3] “Article 370: What happened with Kashmir and Why it matters,” BBC, 06 August 2019. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-49234708
[4] “UN Security Council Discusses Kashmir,” UN News, 16 August 2019. https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/08/1044401
[5] Andrew Korybko, “The US-India Strategic Partnership: Geopolitical Pivot in favour of US After Trump’s Delhi Visit,” Global Research, 26 February 2020. https://www.globalresearch.ca/india-geopolitical-pivot-complete-trump-successful-visit/5704814
[6] Franz-Stefan Gady, “France Hands over Three Rafale Fighter Jets to India,” The Diplomat, 22 Nov 2019. https://thediplomat.com/2019/11/france-hands-over-three-rafale-fighter-jets-to-india/
[7] ‘Demographic Flooding’: India introduces new Kashmir domicile law, AlJazeera, 1 April 2020. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/04/flooding-india-introduces-kashmir-domicile-law-200401100651450.html
