Remembering the Gaw Kadal Massacre: 35 Years of Struggle and Resistance

On the 35th anniversary of the Gaw Kadal massacre, Hurriyat leaders and human rights organizations continue to honor the memory of more than 50 innocent lives lost at the hands of Indian forces, vowing to keep the spirit of resistance alive in IIOJK.

On January 21, 1990, more than 50 innocent civilians were killed by Indian troops in the Gaw Kadal area of Srinagar, in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, as they opened fire on peaceful demonstrators. The protesters were expressing outrage over the molestation of several women by Indian soldiers the previous night. This horrific event, known as the Gaw Kadal massacre, remains a dark chapter in IIOJK’s ongoing struggle for justice and self-determination.

On the 35th anniversary of the massacre, leaders from the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) and various human rights organizations gathered to pay tribute to the victims. Advocate Abdul Rashid Minhas, a spokesperson for the Hurriyat Conference, condemned the massacre as a stain on India’s self-proclaimed democracy. He stressed that the people of IIOJK would continue to fight for the martyrs’ cause until it reached its rightful conclusion. “We must ensure the holy mission of our martyrs never fades from our memories,” Minhas declared, emphasizing the importance of remaining steadfast in their resistance.

Agha Syed Hassan Al-Moosvi Al-Safvi, another senior Hurriyat leader, also honored the victims of the massacre, describing it as a deliberate and planned attack by the Indian state. He reaffirmed that the brutality of the event, where innocent civilians were gunned down in cold blood on the streets, would never be forgotten. The leaders and activists of the Hurriyat Conference called for justice and accountability, pointing out that the massacre and similar atrocities have remained unpunished for decades.

Despite the magnitude of the Gaw Kadal massacre, human rights organizations and the international community have been criticized for their indifference. In a series of statements, Hurriyat leaders and rights groups expressed frustration at the lack of international intervention and the continued silence over such human rights abuses. They highlighted that over one lakh Kashmiris have lost their lives in massacres, forced disappearances, and fake encounters, with the perpetrators rarely facing justice. The unchecked powers granted to Indian troops under harsh laws like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) have allowed these abuses to continue with impunity.

In a collective statement, the Hurriyat leaders reiterated their belief that the brutal tactics used by Indian forces would not deter the Kashmiri people from their pursuit of self-determination. They vowed to honor the memory of the martyrs by continuing their struggle for freedom, despite the many challenges they face.

On the anniversary of the massacre, people visited the martyrs’ graveyard in Srinagar to offer prayers and pay their respects. The event was a reminder that, even after 35 years, the memory of those who died in the Gaw Kadal massacre remains etched in the hearts of the Kashmiri people, who remain resolute in their demand for justice.