APHC Condemns Crackdown on Islamic and Historical Literature in IIOJK

In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the crackdown on Islamic and historical literature has raised alarms about the erosion of Kashmiri identity and history, according to the All Parties Hurriyat Conference.

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has expressed serious concerns over the ongoing crackdown on Islamic and historical books in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), warning that these actions aim to sever the Kashmiri people from their Islamic heritage and history. APHC spokesman Advocate Abdul Rashid Minhas condemned the actions of the Hindutva-driven regime, led by non-local Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, for targeting literature that reflects the region’s Islamic identity and historical narrative. The Indian police have reportedly been conducting raids on bookstores across the region to seize such materials.

In his statement issued in Srinagar, Minhas accused the BJP-led Indian government of working in line with the RSS agenda to alter the Muslim character and historical identity of Kashmir. He highlighted that one of the key methods used by the government is the imposition of Hindutva ideology in local schools, which, he believes, is an attempt to mislead younger generations of Kashmiris about their cultural roots and history.

Additionally, the APHC spokesperson condemned the continued efforts by the Indian government to evict people from their properties, including land and homes, in IIOJK. He argued that this is a calculated move to alter the region’s demographic makeup, further undermining the Muslim-majority status of Kashmir. This demographic shift, according to Minhas, is part of a broader strategy aimed at diluting the region’s identity and history.

Minhas further asserted that these measures violate international laws, as Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognized disputed territory. He pointed to the illegal actions taken by the Indian government on August 5, 2019, which included the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. Since then, the government has ramped up its efforts to suppress the local population, including issuing domicile certificates to large numbers of non-Kashmiris, a move that has sparked widespread concerns over the region’s future.

The statement also emphasized that the Kashmiri people have the right to seek a resolution to the Kashmir dispute that aligns with their wishes and aspirations. Until this dispute is resolved justly, Minhas warned, lasting peace in South Asia will remain out of reach.

The APHC has urged the global community and international human rights organizations to intervene and halt the ongoing atrocities against innocent Kashmiris. They called on these organizations to help resolve the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, seeking a fair and peaceful settlement.