By: Syed Hamza Shah
When word Kashmir is heard, either you create an image of the beautiful valleys or disputed region with blood everywhere. Kashmir has been a bone of contention between India and Pakistan since the division of sub-continent.
After 5th August 2019, Indian government unilaterally revoked Kashmir’s special status. Then it was divided into two union territories- allowing New Delhi to bring them under its direct control, the bloodshed in Kashmir turned out into an apocalypse. Communication blackout, troops deployment and mass murder of people manifests the brutality inflicted by Indian government on Kashmir.
The 2016 Economic reports shows that 25 percent of young Kashmiris are unemployed, new domicile laws are also going to increase unemployment by giving permanent residency to Indian people and thousands of Indian are migrating to Kashmir.
India’s right wing party BJP has been killing people, restricting them to meet their families causing mass arrests, judicial apathy, and media ban in order to pursue their electoral interests. An ordinary Kashmiri’s life has up sided down due to restrictions and war imposed on them. Many civilians are massacred, vandalism and destruction of property are reported when armed forces and rebel groups came face to face.
Indian leader’s stance is that they are creating peace and development in Kashmir, but the reality check is that article 370 is hindrance to Kashmir’s development. Kashmir solely was having better economy and development than many of Indian states but India’s intervention destroys the tourism industry, E-Commerce and exports of Kashmir.
The 2016 Economic reports shows that 25 percent of young Kashmiris are unemployed, new domicile laws are also going to increase unemployment by giving permanent residency to Indian people and thousands of Indian are migrating to Kashmir. These Indians will have all the political rights and in this way, they will support the Indian political agenda by electing their own politicains undermining the rights of Kashmiris. The migration of people is also going to ruin the ecology and livelihoods of Kashmiris by taking up their lands and work opportunities.
India’s Counsel General in the US said that “India should adopt Israeli Model in Kashmir” which sparked controversies in various regions. Precisely, he is advocating a settler-colonial project for India and for building settlements in Kashmir. Settler Colonialization is a special kind of colonialization that functions through the replacement of indigenous populations with the intention of gaining control over local or natural resources. The recent move of Domicile policy indicates a more systematic pattern of making this model the centre piece of Kashmir policy.
The local legislation was abolished and in the new legislation, Hindu will be given more seats that will reshape the local political benifits. Kashmir’s shutdown is one of the longest shutdown in the history of democracy and the arrests of journalists is also curbing the press freedom in Kashmir. It seems that India is going to snatch the Human rights of Kashmiris until a step is taken on an international level.
In my opinion, India is trying to become superpower. The first attempt was to cease the Kashmir valley and then India tried to soft land on moon which results in failure. At this time, India is trying to take Himalayan Mountains from Chinese troops. Furthermore, India is establishing good relations with developed countries due to its market and economy. The colonialization in Kashmir will also serve the monopolistic purposes of India and make it powerful day by day. In order to stop the brutality in India, International forums who claims to resolve the conflicts should banish India and free Kashmir from the chains of never ending slavery.
The writer is a social activist and student of Baacha Khan University, Charsadda, he can be reached at [email protected]
