India’s “Development” Facade in IIOJK is a Smokescreen for Oppression: DFP

Modi’s visit to IIIOJK exposes the stark contrast between claims of progress and the harsh realities faced by its people.

The Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) has strongly criticized Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), calling it a deliberate effort to mislead the global community about the region’s realities.

In a statement from Srinagar, DFP spokesperson Advocate Arshad Iqbal slammed the Indian government for promoting a fabricated narrative of development while suppressing the voices of Kashmiris.

“India enforces draconian laws to crush Kashmiris’ legitimate aspirations for freedom and justice, all while marketing its so-called development initiatives that primarily serve to strengthen its military control,” Iqbal stated.

The DFP also questioned the legitimacy of India’s development claims. Advocate Iqbal highlighted the ongoing human rights violations, including curbs on freedom of movement and speech, property seizures based on false charges, and the imposition of heightened security measures. These, he said, expose the falsehood of India’s claims about normalcy and peace in the region.

India’s intensified security measures during Modi’s visit, such as additional checkpoints and increased surveillance, reveal its underlying agenda, which focuses more on maintaining strategic dominance than on addressing the needs of the people.

Advocate Iqbal further denounced India’s actions as a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions, which affirm the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination. “Instead of respecting these rights, India treats IIOJK like a colony, prioritizing its strategic and political goals over the well-being of its residents,” he added.

The DFP has urged the international community to look beyond India’s propaganda and hold the government accountable for its disregard of international laws and human rights in the region.