India’s Disinformation Campaign Hides Reality in IIOJK

Despite repeated calls for justice, the situation in IIOJK remains dire, with mass arrests, draconian laws, and a systematic crackdown on dissent drawing condemnation from Kashmiri leadership.

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has condemned the Indian government’s persistent efforts to mislead the world about the deteriorating situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

In a statement issued from Srinagar, APHC spokesperson Advocate Abdul Rashid Minhas accused India of using propaganda to deflect attention from its human rights abuses. He said the Indian regime, led by the BJP, often blames either Pakistan or the Hurriyat leadership for the unrest, attempting to cover up state-sponsored oppression.

Minhas highlighted the increasing number of arbitrary arrests and raids being carried out across IIOJK under the pretense of security operations. These “cordon and search operations” (CASOs), he said, are meant to intimidate the Kashmiri people and crush their voices for freedom.

The APHC maintains that IIOJK is not an integral part of India. Instead, it is a disputed territory under United Nations resolutions that call for a plebiscite. India’s refusal to honor these resolutions and its reliance on authoritarian laws such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), Public Safety Act (PSA), and Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) expose its aggressive intent, the statement added.

Since the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019, the suppression of civil liberties in the region has intensified. APHC says these laws are being used to target peaceful protesters and political activists in a bid to force submission.

The organization also condemned recent provocative remarks by Indian Home Minister Amit Shah and the Lieutenant Governor of the region, Manoj Sinha. APHC characterized these statements as dangerous to regional peace and reflective of New Delhi’s growing frustration with the ongoing resistance in IIOJK.

Despite harsh crackdowns, the pro-freedom sentiment among the Kashmiri people remains strong. According to APHC, it is this unyielding determination that has unnerved Indian authorities and triggered harsher measures.

The APHC urged the Indian government to release all political detainees immediately. The list includes APHC Chairman Masarrat Aalam Butt, Shabbir Ahmad Shah, Muhammad Yasin Malik, Asiya Andrabi, and human rights activist Khurram Parvaiz, among many others. Most of these individuals have been jailed without fair trials and face inhumane conditions.

Reaffirming its commitment to peaceful resistance, the APHC called on the global community to step in, ensure accountability, and support the Kashmiri people’s right to decide their future.