Daily Times

India should reflect its actions in India-held Kashmir and their consequences on the completion of one year of revocation of Kashmir’s special status in the Indian constitution. It has lost much only to please its Hindutva missionary zeal. All Kashmiris have rejected India’s decision to annex occupied Kashmir on August 5 last year, and in reaction, the Modi government has been trying hard to suppress Kashmiris but in vain. Kashmiris have been under strict lockdown, the phenomena which the world experienced in the COVID-19 pandemic, and came to realize how terribly marks the lockdown leaves on one. Since the revocation incident, Indian border troops have escalated ceasefire violations besides targeting unarmed civilians. At the end of the year, the world salutes Kashmiris’ courage, who despite the brutalities of the Indian troops, remain at their places with morale remains high. The entire nation is showing solidarity with Kashmiris in India-occupied Kashmir under the Youm-e-Istehsal. India has not treated its pro-constitution well as even at this hour, at least two dozen politicians are in detention; they have been in detention since the August 5 announcement. Of them, several are under unnotified detention and no Indian court has rescued them from the state brutality. Despite world demand, New Delhi has refused to release the list of the leaders in detention. Almost all pro-Indian Kashmiris have repented their decision to remain with India. This is the victory of Kashmiris.

In India-held Kashmir, Kashmiris have not responded in a violent tone, but it does not mean they have given up. A politician in India-held Kashmir says that Kashmiris are in a state of mourning, and mourning is not to be taken as inaction. Pakistan has been supporting them at all possible diplomatic platforms. The issue has not been a diplomatic one as India has suffered humiliating defeat from China in Ladakh and the clashes have direct and indirect link to the change in the Kashmir status. In the valley, India has been trying hard to change demographic figures. The Modi government has infiltrated outsiders into the valley to snatch livelihood opportunities from them. India will never return to normalcy under the incumbent arrangements. The world often remains a silent spectator to the plights of Kashmiris in India-held Kashmir only for the sake of economic benefits. The silence has increased the suppression of other Muslims and other religious minorities in other parts of India. In the days to come, India will stand exposed for its anti-Muslim and other religious minority policies. *