OIC Voices Concerns over Indian Supreme Court Verdict: APHC Chairman Warns of Escalating Tensions

The Chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), Masarrat Aalam Butt, currently held in Tihar Jail in New Delhi, has welcomed the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) recent statement regarding the Indian Supreme Court’s verdict against the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. Butt expressed concern over India’s denial of the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination, warning that such actions will continue to jeopardize peace in South Asia.

Butt, challenging India’s assertion of normalcy in the occupied territory, questioned why New Delhi has transformed it into an open jail where daily violations of human rights occur. From his confinement, he urged Muslim countries to unite and advocate for the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people.

The OIC, in a statement from Jeddah, expressed its apprehension about the recent Indian Supreme Court verdict and called on India to reverse all illegal and unilateral actions taken since August 5, 2019. Masarrat Aalam Butt emphasized that it is time for a collective rebuke to Narendera Modi’s government, condemning its alleged use of brutal, inhumane, illegal, and unconstitutional coercion methods against Kashmiris demanding their UN-guaranteed right.

Butt urged the OIC and the global community to intervene and assist the besieged people of Jammu and Kashmir. He highlighted India’s systematic targeting of Hurriyat leaders, media persons, Ulema, rights activists, and even ordinary citizens, subjecting them to illegal arrests on fabricated charges to suppress their demand for the right to self-determination.

According to Butt, the BJP regime deliberately prolongs the illegal detention of Kashmiri prisoners under draconian laws such as the Public Safety Act (PSA) and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) to force submission based on their political beliefs. He accused the Indian government of denying space to Hurriyat leadership by arresting them on false charges.

The situation in Kashmir, Butt asserted, requires urgent international attention to prevent further human rights violations and address the escalating tensions. The appeal from the APHC chairman underscores the need for diplomatic efforts to facilitate dialogue and resolution between India and Pakistan concerning the longstanding Kashmir issue.

To conclude, Masarrat Aalam Butt’s response from Tihar Jail emphasizes the critical role of international organizations, particularly the OIC, in addressing the ongoing crisis in Kashmir. The chairman’s plea for global intervention seeks to draw attention to the alleged human rights abuses and the denial of self-determination faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir.