Kashmiri Civil Society Accuses India of Demographic Engineering in IIOJK

Civil society voices in IIOJK are sounding the alarm over what they call a systematic and dangerous attempt by the Indian government to erase the region’s identity through demographic manipulation and suppression.

Civil society members in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) have strongly condemned what they describe as a well-orchestrated plan by the BJP-led Indian government to alter the region’s demographic structure. According to them, the ultimate aim is to reduce the Muslim majority into a minority in their own homeland.

In a recent meeting held in Srinagar, prominent civil society figures — Dr. Zubair Ahmad Raja, Mohammad Furqan, Mohammad Iqbal Shaheen, and Syed Haider Hussain — stated that the revocation of Articles 370 and 35A was not just a political move, but a calculated attempt to change the demographic identity of IIOJK.

They pointed out that since the abrogation of the region’s special status in August 2019, the Modi government has introduced new domicile laws that allow non-locals to claim residency. Shockingly, it was disclosed in the regional assembly that over 83,000 non-Kashmiris have already been granted domiciles — a figure that they say confirms the fears of demographic invasion.

The members expressed grave concern over the massive military presence in the territory, with more than one million Indian troops deployed. This overwhelming force, they said, has created a constant climate of fear, effectively silencing local voices and pushing the population into further marginalization.

They criticized the impunity enjoyed by Indian forces under laws like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), which grants sweeping powers and immunity. Activists and dissenters, they added, are regularly targeted under harsh laws such as the Public Safety Act (PSA) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Drawing a sharp comparison, the civil society members likened India’s Kashmir policy to Israel’s actions in Palestine. They argued that the Indian government’s move to build segregated colonies for Kashmiri Pandits and non-local settlers mirrors Israeli-style settlement strategies that aim to isolate communities and dilute native populations.

They stressed that IIOJK remains an internationally recognized disputed territory, and that the global community cannot afford to stay silent. They urged international human rights organizations and world leaders to step in, hold India accountable for its actions, and work towards a just resolution of the Kashmir issue.

According to the speakers, the battle for IIOJK is not just about land, but about preserving a people’s identity, culture, and right to self-determination — values that are increasingly under threat.