APHC Condemns Hindutva Agenda Targeting IIOJK’s Cultural Identity

Cultural and religious identity form the backbone of any community, yet in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), these fundamental aspects are under persistent attack through systematic policies and controversial events.

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has strongly denounced the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government’s aggressive Hindutva-driven policies, aimed at eroding the cultural and religious identity of Kashmiris in IIOJK.

APHC spokesperson Advocate Abdul Rashid Minhas, in a statement from Srinagar, condemned a recent fashion show held in Gulmarg, Baramulla district, during the holy month of Ramazan. He labeled the event as a disgraceful affront to the faith, culture, and identity of the Kashmiri people. He emphasized that such shameless displays are unacceptable in a region renowned for its deep-rooted religious traditions and scholarly heritage.

Calling for accountability, Minhas urged immediate action against those responsible for organizing the event. He strongly criticized the promotion of obscenity under the pretense of boosting tourism, asserting that such activities are part of a larger strategy to undermine Kashmiri values and traditions.

The APHC further called on the Kashmiri people to resist India’s Hindutva-driven cultural invasion, which seeks to erase the political, religious, and cultural heritage of IIOJK. The spokesperson warned that India’s demographic engineering, coupled with cultural encroachment, is an orchestrated attempt to reshape the region’s identity.

Moreover, Minhas highlighted the grave issue of impunity enjoyed by those enforcing these oppressive policies. He pointed out that draconian laws like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) shield perpetrators from accountability, further deepening the cycle of injustice and human rights violations in the region.

The APHC reaffirmed its commitment to preserving IIOJK’s unique cultural and religious identity, urging the international community to take notice of India’s systematic efforts to alter the demographic and socio-cultural fabric of the occupied territory.