Dialogue, not Coercion, is the Way Forward in Kashmir: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq

The recent speech by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq at Srinagar’s historic Jamia Masjid, after another unjust period of house arrest, was a powerful display of Kashmir’s resilience. His words were a sharp criticism of the Modi government’s brutal policies in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The Mirwaiz correctly stated that real issues can never be solved by force but only through honest talks. This shows the complete failure of New Delhi’s aggressive strategy, which has crushed democratic values and pushed the Kashmiri people further away. The Indian government has created a false image of peace, but the main political problem remains, proving that control by the military can never be a substitute for a solution based on the people’s will.

Silencing the Voices of Dissent

The Indian government’s repeated detention of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq is a clear example of its larger plan to crush any opposition in the occupied territory. By stopping the Mirwaiz from performing his religious duties, New Delhi shows its deep fear of Kashmiri leaders and its complete dependence on force to maintain its illegal control over the region.

◆ Unjust House Arrests as a Political Weapon: The constant and baseless detention of key Kashmiri figures is a clear policy to shut down political discussion and stop organised resistance, treating basic human freedoms as privileges the state can take away at any time.

◆ Targeting Religious and Cultural Centres: Placing restrictions on prayers at the Jamia Masjid is a direct attack on the religious identity of the Kashmiri people, designed to weaken their spirit and break their connection to their heritage and faith.

The System of State Cruelty

The Modi government has built a cruel system of laws and rules made specifically to punish the people of Kashmir. These are not random acts but part of a well-planned campaign to change the population and politics of the region to India’s benefit, while lying to the world about progress.

◆ Economic Punishment Through Job Terminations: The terrible policy of firing government workers based only on suspicion creates an atmosphere of constant fear and financial hardship, hurting entire families for their political views in a clear attack on basic rights.

◆ Property Seizures as a Form of Group Punishment: The extremely harsh practice of taking over the homes of Kashmiris is a savage way of punishing whole families and is meant to scare people away from any form of resistance, leaving them without shelter and in constant fear.

The Lie of Winning People by Force

New Delhi often claims it wants to win the “hearts and minds” of Kashmiris, but its actions achieve the very opposite. Every cruel act only widens the gap between the people and the Indian state, proving that India’s control is based on its military power, not the agreement of the people.

◆ Creating Anger Among the Youth: The non-stop pressure and complete lack of political freedom have left an entire generation of young Kashmiris feeling hopeless and angry, making a peaceful future seem more and more unlikely.

◆ Destroying Trust in Government Institutions: By using the police and courts to push its political goals, the Indian government has destroyed all trust in its own institutions, which are now widely seen as tools of an occupying power.

The Death of Democracy in Kashmir

The BJP government’s actions in Kashmir are a shocking betrayal of the democratic values it claims to support. The deliberate destruction of political rights, the violent crushing of free speech, and the stubborn refusal to talk to Kashmiri leadership show a frightening move toward a dictatorship, where the people’s wishes are seen as a problem to be solved with guns.

◆ The Undemocratic Reality of Direct Rule: Ruling the territory from New Delhi without any input from local leaders is a colonial-era tactic that is based on raw power rather than the true spirit of democracy and representation.

◆ Making Political Disagreement a Crime: The state has been used to label all political opposition as a threat to the nation, shutting down every peaceful way for people to share their complaints against the government’s terrible policies.

Why Force and Pressure Will Never Work

History has shown again and again that deep political conflicts cannot be solved with military strength. The Indian government’s foolish idea that it can break the Kashmiri will to resist through fear is a dangerous mistake. These tactics may create a temporary quiet, but they do nothing to solve the real problem, making sure the conflict will continue.

◆ Ignoring the Core Political Problem: New Delhi’s effort to present the Kashmir issue as just a security problem is a dishonest trick to avoid dealing with its true political nature and the people’s demand for self-determination.

◆ The Endless Cycle of Cruelty and Resistance: Every act of state violence naturally leads to more resistance, creating a destructive cycle that only helps those who want the conflict to be kept alive for their own selfish political benefit.

The Urgent Need for Real Dialogue

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s call for honest talks is a sign of great political wisdom. It is an understanding that a real solution can only come from a process where all sides are treated with respect. New Delhi’s ongoing refusal to talk is not just arrogant but also very shortsighted, as it guarantees more trouble in a very sensitive part of the world.

◆ Ending the Policy of Force First: Real talks can only happen in an environment where people are free from threats and can speak without fear of being punished, a condition that New Delhi has shown no interest in creating.

◆ The Only Real Path to a Lasting Peace: Sincere talks and honest discussions are the only way to build trust and find a solution that is fair, honourable, and accepted by the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

A Call for Global Action

The international community must stop being a silent observer of the terrible human rights abuses happening in occupied Kashmir. The Modi government’s actions are a direct threat to peace in the region and a challenge to the moral duty of the world. The time has come for global powers to take a stand against this brutal military occupation.

◆ The Duty of the International Community: Major world powers need to make India answer for its crimes and push New Delhi to give up its violent policies and choose a path of peaceful talks to solve the Kashmir dispute.

◆ Seeing Through the Lies of Normalcy: The world must look past India’s fake tours and propaganda and listen to the real voices of the Kashmiri people, who suffer every day under an occupation that denies them their most basic human rights.

A Critical Choice for the Region

The situation in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir is at a decisive moment. The path of violence chosen by the Modi government leads only to more conflict and pain. The alternative, offered by leaders like Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, is the path of dialogue and respect. The decision New Delhi makes will not only decide the future for millions of Kashmiris but will also show whether India is a country that respects human rights or one that prefers to rule through fear and military power. For the sake of lasting peace, the world hopes that wisdom will win over force.