Kashmiris Protest Against Power Crisis and Rising Tariffs in IIOJK

Basic necessities like electricity should be a right, not a privilege—yet Kashmiris continue to suffer under India’s discriminatory policies.

The people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) are enduring severe hardships due to frequent electricity breakdowns and escalating tariffs. Widespread protests have erupted across the region, with residents expressing outrage over the Indian government’s failure to provide a stable power supply.

Kashmiris have strongly condemned the Government of India (GoI) for exploiting IIOJK’s natural resources to generate cheap electricity, only to divert it to the national grid while the local population remains deprived. Protesters argue that despite the region’s rich hydropower potential, they are subjected to prolonged outages and exorbitant electricity bills.

The protesters have also voiced their anger against the discriminatory policies of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government, which they believe deliberately marginalizes Kashmiris. They accuse Indian authorities of using electricity supply as a tool of economic and political repression, further deepening the hardships faced by the local population.

Many residents of IIOJK argue that they are being unfairly penalized to accommodate the energy needs of mainland India, leaving Kashmiris to suffer in darkness. Community leaders and activists have urged international human rights organizations to take notice of the unjust treatment meted out to the people of IIOJK and hold India accountable for its policies.

Observers warn that continued neglect of essential services in the region will only intensify resentment and unrest. As protests gain momentum, the demand for fair access to electricity and an end to discriminatory governance in IIOJK is growing louder.