Modi’s Fascist Regime Continues Banning Political Voices in IIOJK: Wani

Altaf Hussain Wani, a prominent figure within the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, has vehemently criticized the recent decision by Indian authorities to outlaw the Jammu Kashmir National Front. He decried this move as an alarming manifestation of the growing authoritarianism within the BJP-led government, labelling it as a form of rising fascism.

Wani, who serves as the vice chairman of the Jammu Kashmir National Front, expressed his dismay over the Indian government’s blatant disregard for democratic principles and freedom of expression. He emphasized that the National Front is a political entity committed to upholding the rights, dignity, and right to self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, in accordance with UN resolutions.

In his statement from Islamabad, Wani rebuffed the Indian Home Ministry’s justification for banning the National Front, asserting that the organization has consistently advocated for its goals through peaceful and lawful means, primarily through dialogue and diplomacy. He highlighted the case of Nayeem Ahmed Khan, the party chairman who has been unlawfully detained for an extended period, yet has persistently pursued legal avenues to challenge his detention. Wani stressed Khan’s lifelong commitment to peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute, refuting any allegations of unlawful activities on his part.

Despite the oppressive tactics employed by the Indian government, Wani asserted that such colonial-era strategies would not succeed in stifling the Kashmiri people’s struggle for self-determination or deterring them from their pursuit of freedom. He emphasized that Kashmir remains an internationally recognized disputed territory, and therefore, Indian laws and constitution do not hold sway over it.

Wani urged the international community to take decisive action in response to India’s systematic suppression of dissent in both the occupied territory and within its borders. He criticized the Narendra Modi-led government for its relentless efforts to silence any form of opposition, viewing it as a dangerous manifestation of Hindutva ideology.

To conclude, Wani’s condemnation of the Indian government’s actions reflects broader concerns regarding the erosion of democratic norms and human rights in the region. His call for international intervention underscores the urgency of addressing the plight of the Kashmiri people and holding the Indian authorities accountable for their oppressive tactics.