Gaza’s Shadow Over Kashmir: India’s Economic Occupation and Demographic Manipulation
July 13, 2025A Calculated Assault on Identity
The ongoing developments in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) are not just a political issue; they signify a systematic and deliberate assault on the identity and culture of the Kashmiri people. This is a strategy frightfully similar to that of Palestine, where the occupation is disguised as development. Under the cover of economic progress, India is implementing a calculated plan to alter Kashmir’s demographic composition, pushing its indigenous population to the margins and obliterating their cultural heritage.
Land as a Tool of Dispossession
The sale of Saifco Cement Factory, a once-Kashmiri-owned business, to an Indian conglomerate is a striking example of the growing economic encroachment in Kashmir. Renamed New Lakshmi Cement, the factory stands as a symbol of India’s strategy to replace indigenous businesses with settler-style industries. The revocation of Articles 370 and 35A in 2019 opened the floodgates for these transactions, turning what was once a region with some level of autonomy into an economic playground for external investors.
The Legal Mask: A New Form of Colonialism
In 2020, India introduced controversial land laws that permitted non-residents to buy property in Jammu and Kashmir. This move was nothing short of a colonial tactic, designed to undermine the region’s unique identity. Leading Kashmiri political figures, including Farooq Abdullah, condemned this move as an attempt to “finish” the cultural identity of Kashmir. For decades, land ownership in Kashmir was synonymous with local identity and autonomy. Today, it is being commodified for the benefit of outsiders.
Demographic Engineering: The Quiet Invasion
India’s actions in Kashmir are not just about economic development; they are about demographic manipulation. The sale of land to non-residents, as confirmed by government data, is a calculated step towards changing the region’s demographic landscape. The government’s claim of promoting economic growth through investments is nothing more than a façade. Behind this façade lies a well-orchestrated plan to turn Kashmir’s population into a minority in their own land.
Capital Replacing Military Might
While India’s military presence in Kashmir remains a potent tool of control, the new phase of occupation is being driven by capital. The Indian government has long used its military might to suppress the Kashmiri population. Now, economic power is being wielded to further entrench the occupation. The land sales today are the foundation for irreversible demographic changes tomorrow. The people of Kashmir fear that what is being sold as development today will become a permanent reality of dispossession and erasure.
Turning a Blind Eye: The World’s Quiet Stance on Kashmir
The international community’s silence in the face of this economic occupation is nothing short of complicit. The world stood by when Palestinian land was sold off in the name of development, and now, Kashmir is on the same path. The legal mechanisms being employed to change Kashmir’s demographic makeup must not be allowed to pass unnoticed. Silence in the face of such gross injustice is not acceptable for the principles of self-determination and human rights.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
The situation in IIOJK is a struggle for survival, for identity, and for the right to live in peace. India’s economic occupation is not just about land; it’s about the very future of the Kashmiri people. The world must recognize this for what it is: a deliberate attempt to erase the Kashmiri identity and alter the region’s demographic composition. It is time for the international community to act, to speak out against this injustice, and to support the Kashmiri people in their right to self-determination. If action is not taken now, Kashmir may soon become another tragic chapter in the history of occupation.
