BJP’s Kashmir Policy: Marginalize Muslims, Empower Pandit-Dogra Interests

Srinagar – For the past several months, Indian authorities have been actively working to weaken and dismantle the Hurriyat leadership and crush pro-Pakistan sentiments in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

As part of this campaign, several jailed leaders, including Shabir Shah, Yasin Malik, Asiya Andrabi, Masarrat Alam Butt, and Mushtaqul Islam, were approached in New Delhi’s Tihar Jail and Jammu’s Kot Bhalwal Jail. Indian authorities urged these leaders to abandon the demand for Azadi and sever ties with Pakistan.

Additionally, nearly all heads of Hurriyat parties who are not in custody have been contacted and pressured to join the mainstream pro-India political framework. They have been asked to publicly announce their disassociation from the Hurriyat, with the threat of arrest looming over those who refuse to comply.

Despite these aggressive measures by the BJP-led Indian government and its security establishment, the sentiments of the common people in Kashmir remain strong. The Kashmiri population continues to resist India’s coercive tactics, reaffirming its unwavering commitment to the right to self-determination.

It is worth noting that the BJP government’s policies on Kashmir are heavily influenced by inputs from Kashmiri Pandits and Dogras of Jammu. These policies prioritize the concerns of these communities while completely sidelining the Muslim majority of IIOJK. This has further fueled resentment and resistance among Kashmiris, who view these actions as part of a broader strategy to alter the region’s demographic and political landscape in favor of New Delhi’s interests.