Daily Times

“Freedom is a blessing that must be fought for, cherished, and preserved.” These words, which have been uttered by innumerable freedom fighters throughout history, have a strong resonance with the Kashmiri people’s struggle who have long endured the heavy yoke of Indian oppression.

The situation of Muslims in occupied Kashmir has been terrible since India’s partition, with innumerable atrocities carried out against them. The historical background, shows that India has ignored international norms and decisions in order to preserve its hegemony over the region.

The situation escalated dramatically on August 5, 2019, when the Indian government decided to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, in defiance of both UN resolutions and the Indian Constitution.

So far the Indian military has used various inhumane tactics to suppress the Muslim majority in Kashmir. Masarat Alam, Shabir Shah, Asia Andrabi and Yasin Malik have been imprisoned on fabricated charges by the Indian state seeking vengence for raising their voices in favor of the freedom of occupied Kashmir and the oppressed people there. Their detentions highlight the broader pattern of silencing dissent in the region.

Yasin Malik has emerged as a symbol of resistance against persistent injustice.

On August 8, the Delhi High Court heard the National Investigation Agency’s case against Yasin Malik, who is currently serving a life sentence for unsubstantiated accusations of funding terrorism and murder.

Yasin Malik informed the Delhi High Court of his decision to defend himself in the appeal moved by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) seeking the death penalty for him in a 2016 terror funding case.

Following his decision, the bench headed by Justice Suresh Ket has adjourned the hearing of the case till September 25.

His decision to represent himself has exposed the justice system of India,which purports to be the biggest democracy in the world. India’s judicial system has been significantly impacted by the Hindutva-led policies of the BJP, especially when it comes to the Kashmir issue. The party has consistently eroded the rights of religious minorities, particularly Muslims, through a variety of policies and laws, all under the pretense of advancing Hindu nationalism.

Yasin Malik aims to not only assert his innocence but also to expose the political motivations behind the charges against him.

Malik hopes to draw attention to the political aspects of his prosecution and the attempts by the Indian government to keep him quiet. He feels that having legal representation could compromise the fairness of his trial. This act of self-representation can be interpreted as a form of resistance against the oppressive policies of the Indian government.

Yasin Malik has emerged as a symbol of resistance against persistent injustice. He dedicated his life to the noble cause of freedom for Illegaly Indian Occupied Kashmir, relentlessly opposing the power of the Indian government.

In a land where the cries for freedom have long been met with the iron fist of oppression, Yasin Malik’s courage offers his fellow Kashmiris hope.

Malik’s audacious choice makes it very evident that, despite all challenges, the pursuit of justice will not be abandoned. His reluctance to submit to an unfair system is evidence of the Kashmiri people’s unwavering spirit, who have endured decades of persecution at the hands of their Indian rulers.

No matter how his case turns out, his efforts inspire young Kashmiris to seek for the truth and justice. Furthermore, the situation of Malik and other leaders in Kashmir, who are detained without substantial evidence, is a major challenge for human rights organizations.

If the UN and the rest of the international community wants to see long lasting peace in the region, they must address the dire conditions of human rights that exist in occupied Kashmir.

The writer is a freelance Content Writer and Columnist and can be reached at rakhshandamehtab@gmail.com