Because of advancing the anti-Kashmir agenda of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in the territory, the APHC has strongly condemned the actions and policies of BJP, its military and police establishment, and its local affiliates in the Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Talking to media men in Srinagar the APHC leaders characterized Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the territory as insulting, likening it to rubbing salt in the wounds of the oppressed Kashmiris. The leaders described the BJP regime and the Indian military and police establishment as criminal entities in the eyes of the people of IIOJK.
Criticizing the BJP for its role in the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A of the Indian Constitution, which had granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, they highlighted that these actions have led to the imprisonment of thousands of Kashmiri Hurriyat leaders, activists, journalists, and human rights defenders.
Meanwhile illegally detained All Parties Hurriyat Conference Chairman, Masarrat Aalam Butt has rejected Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent announcements of development projects in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing that Kashmiris are not fighting for development or privileges but for their birthright, the right to self-determination.
From the notorious Tihar Jail in New Delhi, in a special message released in Srinagar, Masarrat Aalam Butt reiterated that the Kashmiris were demanding their legitimate right to self-determination, a promise made by Indian rulers to the international community. He highlighted the numerous United Nations resolutions supporting this right, which India has suppressed using military force.
He criticized Modi’s visit as an attempt to mislead the international community about the dire situation in the occupied territory. He pointed out that the complete strike observed by the Kashmiris during the visit exposed India’s false claims of normalcy.
He questioned that if the situation in the occupied territory is normal, then why does India need to station around one million of its forces’ personnel here? With one soldier for every five, he noted that occupied Jammu and Kashmir has essentially been turned into a military camp.
Masarrat Aalam Butt asserted that sustainable peace and development in the region is not possible without resolving the Kashmir dispute in line with UN resolutions. Despite facing severe atrocities from India, the morale of Kashmiris remains high, and they are determined to continue their struggle until they achieve self-determination.
Showing concern over the miserable plight of Kashmiri detainees languishing in the jails of India and IIOJK, the APHC Chairman urged international human rights organizations to send their teams to observe the situation in these prisons.
Mian Altaf Ahmad and Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, National Conference leaders and Members of the Indian Parliament have criticized Narendra Modi’s remarks, stating that the people in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir are weary of empty promises and rhetoric from Indian leaders.
They urged Modi to take concrete action to back his promises regarding assembly elections, statehood restoration, and development in IIOJK. Let us see some action instead of just words. The people of Jammu and Kashmir deserve more than just lip service.
Also criticizing the IIOJK administration’s recent actions, they said that Modi never misses a chance to hassle the Kashmiri people and employees. Just two days before Yoga Day, everyone was on edge as government employees and schoolchildren were rounded up at various locations, with orders to show up in the dead of night, they stated.
Expressing dismay over the videos of employees being forced to walk barefoot at an event for the Indian PM, they added, that this blatant mistreatment of employees is a clear indication of the current administration’s attitude. It is a disgraceful display of disrespect and a violation of their fundamental rights.
