The Plight of Kashmiris: Remembering Kunan Poshpora

Thirty-three years have passed since the night of February 23, 1991, when the villages of Kunan and Poshpora in the India-occupied Kashmir valley were raided by more than 300 personnel of the Indian army. This dark chapter serves as a haunting reminder of the enduring plight faced by the Kashmiris.

For over seven decades, the residents of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) have suffered under the weight of state-sponsored terrorism and oppression at the hands of India.

The events of that fateful night, where countless women were subjected to horrific acts of violence, remain etched in the collective memory of Kashmiris.

Yet, the injustices inflicted upon them extend far beyond a single incident. The systematic marginalization, repression, and denial of basic human rights have characterized their daily existence for generations.

The Ongoing Plight of Kashmiris

India’s disregard for international agreements and regulations concerning Kashmir is a glaring testament to its oppressive policies. India has consistently broken international agreements and regulations with its actions in IIOJK. The 1948 Resolution of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) requiring a plebiscite has been ignored. In addition, there have been violations of the Geneva Conventions, which forbid an occupying army from relocating its civilian population into territory it has taken over.

Both the 1972 Simla Agreement between Pakistan and India and the UNSC resolutions on Kashmir are flagrantly violated by the abrogation of Article 370 and the unilateral alterations made to the status quo in IIOJK. The world community has widely denounced India’s conduct. It is concerning that India is making attempts to alter the demographics of IIOJK, especially by issuing residence certificates and passing property regulations. With these actions, the Muslim-majority region will become Hindu-majority territory, which may sway any future plebiscite in favor of India.

Demographic Engineering and Marginalization

In IIOJK, demographic apartheid began with the adoption of residence rules. This was followed by a political constituency delineation process that further marginalized Kashmiri Muslims. These regulations, which harken back to terrible periods of history, are perceived as the first steps towards systematic ethnic cleansing and genocide. In contrast to the 2011 population census, the Delimitation Commission’s proposal from December 2021 aims to give the Jammu area, which has a Hindu majority, additional seats. Journalists and the political leadership in Kashmir have strongly opposed this action.

People of IIOJ&K have endured severe human rights violations, including torture, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and violence. The Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) has allowed the deployment of 900,000 Indian troops in the region, creating a disproportionate troop-to-civilian ratio.

The recurring lockdowns in IIOJK, with some lasting for over a year, have turned the region into an open prison. These lockdowns, coupled with curfews and internet blockades, have stifled the voices of the Kashmiris. The use of pellet guns as a means of crowd control has resulted in numerous casualties, including deaths and permanent disabilities. These actions are considered war crimes by international standards.

Since 1989, Indian forces have utilized rape as a means of state-sponsored oppression, resulting in over 11,144 recorded incidences of rape in the occupied Valley.

The shocking prevalence of sexual assault in the conflict region has been reported by international organizations, with police and security personnel being the main perpetrators of these attacks.

Also Read: Indian Illegally Occupied Kashmir – A Festering Wound for Women and Children

India’s expansionist ambitions have been evident in various statements made by its leaders. Home Minister Amit Shah’s assertion that “Kashmir is an integral part of India, including Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and Aksai Chin” is a clear indicator of these intentions. This expansionist rhetoric has raised concerns not only regionally but also internationally, as it threatens to further escalate tensions and destabilize the South Asian region.

Also Read: Kashmir’s Dilemma: Nehruvian Blunders or Modi’s Policies

Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, experts and analysts in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) have repeatedly characterized India as a significant obstacle to peace in South Asia. They contend that the stability of the area is seriously threatened by India’s aggressive policies and occupation of Jammu and Kashmir. India’s actions since August 5, 2019, along with the ongoing Kashmir dispute, highlight its contempt for regional peace. India is a peace-spoiler, and the world community needs to acknowledge this and move quickly to rectify the problem.

International Concerns and Condemnation

The international community has expressed serious concerns over the situation in IIOJK. Dr. Gregory H. Stanton, the founding president of Genocide Watch, warned of a genocide in India, highlighting the dangerous polarization and targeting of minorities. Juan E. Méndez, a UN Special Rapporteur, called the situation in India “deeply disturbing” and emphasized the moral responsibility to protect minorities and Muslims.

The Russell Tribunal on Kashmir and various human rights organizations have exposed the genocide in Kashmir, debunking the myth of India as the world’s largest democracy.

Standing in Solidarity with Kashmiris: Remembering Kunan Poshpora

23rd February in the history of Kashmir serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing suffering endured by the Kashmiris under India’s oppressive policies and human rights abuses. It is a day dedicated to standing in solidarity with the resilient Kashmiri women and the entire population of Kashmir in their legitimate struggle for self-determination under international law.

The atrocities committed against Kashmiris, particularly the use of rape as a weapon of war, underscore the urgent need for justice and accountability in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The international community must heed the calls for action, recognizing the gravity of the situation and the imperative to safeguard the rights and dignity of the Kashmiri people. Only through sustained international pressure and concerted efforts can we aspire to bring an end to the harrowing plight of the Kashmiris and achieve a just resolution to this longstanding conflict.