News Analysis |
Kashmiris have bravely challenged the Indian occupied forces in the valley on Friday, when they demonstrated a massive street power. Children, women and men came out and protested against the unconstitutional move and inhumane treatment by India.
Analysts believe the resolve of the Kashmiris cannot be eliminated through force and India will have to accept this reality, and adjust its policy accordingly.
According to media reports, some posters appeared overnight this week in Srinagar, the Muslim-majority region’s main city, calling for a march to the office of the UN Military Observer Group for India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), and protest against India’s revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special autonomy.
On Aug 5, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist-led government revoked Muslim-majority Kashmir’s decades-old special status guaranteed under Article 370 of India’s Constitution and sent thousands of troops to the region, which is split between archrivals Pakistan and India and claimed by both in its entirety.
The clash continued for two hours in which the Kashmiris bravely fought the Indian Army armed forces with weapons. Meanwhile, India has locked mosques, imposing a religious ban on Kashmiris.
The move by the Modi government touched off anger among residents of the Indian-controlled Kashmir. The people of Kashmir have categorically rejected the move and demanded immediate revocation of the same.
The changes in Indian-controlled Kashmir’s status allow anyone to buy land in the territory, which some Kashmiris fear could mean an influx of Hindus would change the region’s culture and demographics. The change has been introduced intentionally by the BJP in order to ensure changes in demography and let the Muslims’ majority convert into a vulnerable minority.
According to reports, Hurriyat leaders have called for all Kashmiris to leave their homes after Friday prayers, calling for a strong protest against India’s unconstitutional move, in which thousands of Kashmiri men, women, elders and children took to the streets raising flags of Pakistan and chanting the Shahada; “Allah is one”.
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On Friday, protesters came out in the lanes of Soura, a densely populated enclave in Srinagar, and said they would continue their fight for independence till their last breath.
According to the BBC, peaceful protests of Kashmiris were underway, but the occupying Indian Army, not even considering children and women, suddenly attacked the demonstrators with pellet guns and teargas shells. The Kashmiris were enraged and started responding to Indian troops with stones.
Thereafter violent clash between protesters and security forces took place, in which several Kashmiris were injured. The clash continued for two hours in which the Kashmiris bravely fought the Indian Army armed forces with weapons. Meanwhile, India has locked mosques, imposing a religious ban on Kashmiris.
Kashmiri Hurriyat leaders had announced that all Kashmiris would break the curfew and hold rallies, but after a call for protests, the Modi government tightened security in the occupied valley.
Kashmir has seen mass arrests and lockdowns before. The partition of the territory left India in control of most of Kashmir, and Pakistan and China in charge of other parts.
Terrified of Kashmiris, the Modi government has shut down all the big and small mosques in Srinagar, Shopian, Anantnag, Pulwama, Kupwara and Hazratbal Shrine in all the districts of Kashmir. Protests have broken out in parts of Srinagar over the last two weeks, some drawing hundreds of people. At least 152 have been hurt by teargas and pellets since security forces launched a sweeping crackdown, data from the Himalayan region’s two main hospitals shows.
Meanwhile, curfew and communication blackout entered the 20th consecutive day, further worsening the miseries of the besieged population across the territory. The Indian troops are roaming in the streets and there is no way that people can live a life without a constant threat of being killed or beaten up.
The authorities also continued to impose information blockade as TV channels and internet links are snapped and restrictions on media continue since August 5 when BJP’s government scrapped the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. Schools in the Kashmir Valley continue to give an empty look as parents have refused to risk the lives of their children.
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Kashmir has seen mass arrests and lockdowns before. The partition of the territory left India in control of most of Kashmir, and Pakistan and China in charge of other parts. India has often tried to suppress uprisings, including a bloody armed rebellion in 1989. About 70,000 people have been killed since the uprising and a subsequent Indian military crackdown.