30 Years On: Remembering the Tragedy of Charar-e-Sharief and India’s Oppression in IIOJK

The flames that engulfed the revered Charar-e-Sharief shrine three decades ago still burn in the collective memory of Kashmiris—marking one of the darkest chapters in the region’s history under Indian occupation.

Today marks 30 years since the heartbreaking destruction of the centuries-old Sufi shrine of Sheikh Noorud Din Wali (RA) in Charar-e-Sharief, located in the Badgam district of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The shrine, a symbol of spiritual heritage and reverence, was desecrated and reduced to ashes by Indian forces on the intervening night of May 10 and 11 in 1995—coinciding tragically with the holy celebration of Eid.

This deliberate act of cultural and religious desecration devastated the people of IIOJK. Not only was the shrine destroyed, but a historic mosque and nearly 1,000 homes and 200 shops in the mountainous town of Charar-e-Sharief were also consumed by fire. These atrocities occurred after Indian troops laid a brutal 66-day siege around the complex, subjecting the local population to immense fear, loss, and trauma.

Even after three decades, the incident remains fresh in the minds of Kashmiris, standing as a reminder of the ongoing repression they face under Indian rule. Reports have described the burning of the Charar-e-Sharief shrine as one of the most harrowing and unforgettable tragedies in IIOJK’s modern history.

The continued suppression of Kashmir’s cultural and religious identity is being carried out under the shadow of Hindutva ideology promoted by the BJP and RSS. These groups, according to various rights organizations, are attempting to rewrite the historical and spiritual narrative of Kashmir in an effort to marginalize its Muslim majority. Such policies have intensified the hurt and alienation among the Kashmiri people.

On this solemn anniversary, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) released a statement from Srinagar condemning the 1995 attack. It emphasized that the systematic desecration of sacred sites like the Charar-e-Sharief shrine, along with the ongoing extrajudicial killings across IIOJK, exemplify the persistent state terrorism inflicted upon the people of the region.

The APHC stressed that these actions represent clear violations of fundamental human rights and international law. By targeting religious symbols and suppressing cultural identity, the Indian regime aims to demoralize the Kashmiri resistance—but the people remain resolute.

The APHC has called on international human rights bodies to intervene, urging them to hold India accountable for its sustained campaign of violence, oppression, and religious persecution in IIOJK. Despite decades of brutality, the Kashmiri people continue to demonstrate unwavering commitment to their struggle for dignity, justice, and self-determination.