India Declares Kashmiri Diaspora Leader a Proclaimed Offender Under UAPA

In a move widely seen as part of its broader crackdown on pro-Kashmir voices abroad, India has declared prominent diaspora activist Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai a proclaimed offender under its controversial anti-terror law.

In a significant development, Indian authorities have declared Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai, Chairman of the Washington-based World Forum for Peace and Justice, a proclaimed offender. The action was taken under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), India’s controversial anti-terror law often criticized for suppressing dissent.

The declaration was issued on April 30, 2025, by a special judge from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Court in Budgam, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Dr Fai, originally from Wadwan in Budgam district, has been living in the United States for several years.

According to reports, the Budgam Police filed a formal application seeking to have Dr Fai declared a proclaimed offender due to his continued absence and non-cooperation with Indian legal proceedings. After reviewing the case, the court accepted the police request and issued the declaration.

As per the court’s order, Dr Fai has been directed to surrender before the police within 30 days from the date of the proclamation. Failure to comply could result in further legal action, including the seizure of his assets in India and the initiation of extradition procedures.

Dr Fai is known internationally for his advocacy on IIOJK and his efforts to highlight human rights violations and the unresolved nature of the Kashmir dispute. Through the World Forum for Peace and Justice, he has consistently supported the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination as per United Nations resolutions.

Critics argue that India’s targeting of diaspora figures like Dr Fai is part of a broader pattern to silence international voices that challenge New Delhi’s narrative on IIOJK. Rights organizations have long raised alarms over the UAPA, calling it a tool used by the Indian government to label political dissenters and activists as threats to national security.

This is not the first time Dr Fai has faced legal pressure from Indian authorities. His name has appeared in Indian intelligence reports in the past, largely due to his engagement with global platforms to advocate for Kashmir’s disputed status and to expose India’s alleged human rights abuses in the region.

Supporters of Dr Fai view the proclamation as a politically motivated act meant to discourage international discourse on the Kashmir issue. They argue that rather than engaging in meaningful dialogue or upholding democratic rights, the Indian state is resorting to punitive measures against anyone who questions its policies in the occupied territory.

As India intensifies its legal and diplomatic campaign against pro-Kashmir activism abroad, the move against Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai is likely to draw criticism from human rights defenders and international observers.