Nestled between the towering Himalayas and the Pir Panjal range, Kashmir has long been portrayed as a paradise on Earth. However, for decades, the region has been marred by conflict, military occupation, and the cries of a people yearning for justice, freedom, and dignity. Known for its breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage, Kashmir is also one of the most heavily militarized zones in the world. The term “Occupied Kashmir” refers specifically to the Indian-administered part of the region, known as Jammu and Kashmir, where millions live under a state of siege and perpetual fear.
Historical Background
The roots of the Kashmir conflict trace back to the Partition of British India in 1947. As India and Pakistan emerged as independent nations, princely states were given the option to join either country or remain independent. The then-Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, Hari Singh, hesitated, seeking to remain independent. However, following a tribal invasion from Pakistan, he signed the controversial Instrument of Accession with India, allowing Indian troops to enter the region.
This act led to the first Indo-Pak war and the eventual division of Kashmir into areas administered by Pakistan (Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan) and India (Jammu and Kashmir). The United Nations intervened, calling for a plebiscite to determine the wishes of the Kashmiri people. That plebiscite, however, has never been held.
The Erosion of Autonomy
For decades, Article 370 of the Indian Constitution granted Jammu and Kashmir a special autonomous status. This article limited the Indian Parliament’s powers to legislate in the state, except in matters of defense, foreign affairs, and communications. Article 35A further empowered the state to define its “permanent residents” and accord them special rights and privileges.
However, on August 5, 2019, the Indian government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi unilaterally abrogated Article 370, stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its special status and splitting it into two union territories. This move was met with widespread outrage, particularly among Kashmiris who viewed it as a blatant act of colonization.
Lockdown and Communication Blackout
In the lead-up to the abrogation of Article 370, India deployed tens of thousands of additional troops to the already heavily militarized region. Curfews were imposed, political leaders were detained, schools and businesses were shut down, and a complete communication blackout was enforced. For weeks, there was no internet, no mobile connectivity, and no access to the outside world.
The clampdown was described by human rights organizations as unprecedented. Families were separated, patients died due to a lack of medical access, students were deprived of education, and journalists were silenced. The Indian government claimed the move was necessary to maintain law and order, but critics argue it was a tool to suppress dissent and crush the spirit of resistance.
Human Rights Violations
Occupied Kashmir has become synonymous with human rights abuses. Numerous reports by organizations like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the UN Human Rights Council have documented a pattern of extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, and sexual violence.
The controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) gives Indian troops immunity from prosecution for actions taken in “disturbed areas.” This legal shield has emboldened security forces to operate with impunity. Thousands of Kashmiris have been detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA), often without trial. The use of pellet guns on protestors — which has blinded and maimed hundreds — exemplifies the brutal tactics employed to stifle resistance.
Demographic Engineering
Another concern following the abrogation of Article 370 is the fear of demographic change. Kashmiris worry that the Indian government seeks to alter the Muslim-majority character of the region by encouraging settler colonization. By opening land ownership and employment to non-locals, many see this as an attempt to transform the ethno-religious identity of the region — a tactic reminiscent of settler colonial projects in other conflict zones.
The issuance of domicile certificates to non-Kashmiris has further fueled these fears. Critics argue this is not just about economic development or integration but a strategic move to disenfranchise the indigenous population and dilute the region’s cultural and political fabric.
Political Repression
Since August 2019, almost all mainstream Kashmiri political leaders, including former chief ministers, have been either imprisoned or placed under house arrest. Local political activity has been stifled, and pro-freedom leaders are regularly targeted under anti-terror laws.
Freedom of expression, a fundamental democratic right, is virtually non-existent in the region. Journalists face harassment, intimidation, and arrest. Publications are routinely censored, and independent reporting is nearly impossible. The few journalists who dare to expose the ground reality often do so at great personal risk.
The Economy in Freefall
Kashmir’s economy, once reliant on tourism, handicrafts, and agriculture, has suffered immensely under military occupation and lockdowns. The tourism industry, a vital lifeline for thousands of families, has collapsed due to political instability and travel restrictions.
Frequent curfews and shutdowns have paralyzed business activity. Internet bans have severely impacted tech-related services and education. According to local business chambers, the region has lost billions of rupees since 2019, and unemployment has soared.
Psychological Toll and Generational Trauma
Perhaps the most overlooked consequence of the occupation is the psychological toll on Kashmir’s population. Generations of Kashmiris have grown up amidst gunfire, checkpoints, and the ever-present shadow of violence. Mental health issues, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, are rampant.
Young people, in particular, are caught in a cycle of hopelessness. With limited avenues for expression or aspiration, many resort to protest or resistance, often leading to brutal crackdowns. The Indian state portrays this as militancy, while many Kashmiris see it as a desperate cry for justice and freedom.
International Response: A Deafening Silence
Despite the scale of repression, the international response to the Kashmir crisis has largely been muted. Geopolitical considerations, economic interests, and strategic alliances have rendered many global powers hesitant to confront India over its actions.
The United Nations has issued reports and called for inquiries, but no tangible action has been taken. Western democracies, often vocal on human rights elsewhere, have largely remained silent. Some Muslim-majority countries have expressed concern, but few have translated words into action. Pakistan has remained a vocal advocate for Kashmir on international platforms, but its efforts have been undermined by limited diplomatic clout and its own internal challenges.
Resistance and Resilience
Despite the oppression, Kashmiris have continued to resist in myriad ways — through art, poetry, protests, and civil disobedience. The resistance is not just about political independence but a broader struggle for dignity, rights, and identity.
The resilience of the Kashmiri people is evident in their unwavering spirit. From mothers of disappeared sons to students documenting abuses, from farmers defying curfews to poets penning verses of hope, the collective voice of Kashmir refuses to be silenced.
The Way Forward
A lasting solution to the Kashmir conflict requires more than just political posturing or military measures. It necessitates genuine dialogue involving all stakeholders — India, Pakistan, and most importantly, the Kashmiri people themselves.
Some key steps toward de-escalation and resolution include:
Restoring civil liberties: Lift restrictions, release political prisoners, and allow freedom of speech and assembly.
Ending impunity: Repeal draconian laws like AFSPA and ensure accountability for human rights violations.
International mediation: Encourage neutral global actors to facilitate dialogue and monitor rights violations.
Plebiscite or political representation: Honor the promises made under international resolutions and allow Kashmiris to determine their own future.
Economic revival: Invest in sustainable development, education, and healthcare without militarizing aid or bypassing local voices.
Conclusion
Occupied Kashmir is not merely a territorial dispute; it is a humanitarian crisis, a political injustice, and a moral failure. For far too long, the people of Kashmir have been denied their basic rights, their voices drowned in a narrative of nationalism and militarism.
To speak of Kashmir today is to speak of longing — for peace, for justice, for freedom. The world cannot afford to remain indifferent. Silence, in the face of such suffering, is complicity. It is time for the global community to stand with the people of Kashmir, not as passive observers but as active agents of change.
Until then, the mountains will bear witness, the rivers will remember, and the valleys will echo with the chants of a people under siege — yet unbroken.
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