APHC Stands Strong Against India’s Repression of Kashmir’s Freedom Movement

Despite India’s oppressive tactics, the demand for a plebiscite and the Kashmiri people’s pursuit of freedom remain unshaken.

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has strongly rejected India’s repressive measures aimed at suppressing the Kashmiri people’s demand for a plebiscite. According to APHC spokesman Abdul Rashid Minhas, India’s use of military force and intimidation cannot silence the voices of the Kashmiri people or prevent them from pursuing their right to self-determination in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). In a statement issued from Srinagar, Minhas stressed that Kashmir remains a political issue that cannot be resolved through military power or repression.

Minhas emphasized that threats, atrocities, and draconian laws imposed by India will not deter Kashmiris from continuing their freedom struggle. He pointed out that despite facing intense repression, including the illegal detention of Kashmiri leaders and activists for over seven years, the people’s resolve for self-determination remains firm in IIOJK. This prolonged incarceration of political leaders is, according to APHC, a reflection of India’s bias and deep-rooted prejudice against the Kashmiri people’s legitimate aspirations.

The APHC spokesman also criticized India for violating international laws through the deployment of a large military presence, including nuclear and lethal weapons, in the disputed region. He condemned the systematic use of oppressive laws, which have only escalated the suffering of Kashmiris. Additionally, Minhas accused India of deliberately altering the region’s demographics by encouraging the settlement of non-Kashmiris, a tactic designed to change the territorial makeup of the internationally recognized disputed territory.

Furthermore, the APHC statement expressed grave concern over the role of Hindutva-driven political groups like the BJP, RSS, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), and Jansangh parties, which, backed by Indian forces, are alleged to be fostering division and promoting communal disharmony in IIOJK. These groups, according to the Hurriyat, are terrorizing the Muslim community in Jammu and fueling drug abuse in the IIOJK, further exacerbating the region’s fragile social fabric.

In its statement, the APHC demanded the immediate release of all Kashmiris who have been unlawfully detained in jails across India and within the occupied territory. They called upon global human rights organizations to apply pressure on India to free these detainees and to take action against India’s continued violations of Kashmiris’ rights.

The APHC’s strong stance in the face of India’s repressive tactics is a testament to the resilience and determination of the Kashmiri people in their pursuit of freedom and self-determination. Despite facing immense challenges, Kashmiris remain committed to achieving their political goals, refusing to be intimidated by India’s efforts to suppress their struggle.