Kashmir: The World’s Longest-Running Conflict Over Freedom

For more than seven decades, the people of Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir have faced continuous human rights violations and severe hardships.

In October 1947, India forcibly took control of Jammu and Kashmir against the will of its people and in clear violation of the Indian Independence Act. The issue was later brought before the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), which has since passed five resolutions calling for the right of self-determination for the Kashmiri people. Unfortunately, none of these resolutions have been implemented.

On August 5, 2019, the Indian government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi revoked Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. The move aimed to change the demographic and political identity of the Muslim-majority region by allowing non-locals to settle there.

The abrogation of Article 370 has had severe economic and social consequences. Unemployment in the region has risen sharply, and businesses have suffered greatly. Despite widespread criticism, the Indian Supreme Court took five years to even begin hearings on the legality of the move.

Since 2019, Kashmir has also witnessed one of the longest internet shutdowns in history, further isolating the population from the rest of the world.

Prominent Kashmiri leaders continue to demand justice and freedom.

• Syed Ali Geelani declared that Jammu and Kashmir is not a part of India, and that its people must be given the right to self-determination.
• Mirwaiz Umar Farooq stated that there is no democracy or rule of law in occupied Kashmir and that the Indian army is deployed to suppress civilians, not to protect them.
• Mushaal Hussein Mullick emphasized that India has failed to crush the freedom spirit of Kashmiris and urged the United Nations to take immediate action to prevent demographic changes and conduct a new population census in the region.

The people of occupied Kashmir have shown remarkable courage and determination, proving to the world that they reject India’s illegal control and remain steadfast in their struggle for freedom and justice.