Tag: Kashmir

  • India decides to pull out troops from occupied Kashmir

    India decides to pull out troops from occupied Kashmir

    The Indian government has decided to pull out over 7,000 para-military troops from occupied Kashmir on account of the improvement in law and order situation there and also because the troops were on short-term deployment, Times of India reported.

    According to reports, of the nearly 7,200 troops being called back from the disputed region, 2,400 are from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and 1,200 each from Border Security Force (BSF) SSB, CISF and ITBP. They were all deployed in the state in view of the government’s decision to abrogate Article 370.

    The development in August had paved way for ethnic cleansing of Muslims in Kashmir, drawing strong reactions from the international community, especially Pakistan, as Kashmiris faced isolation amid curfew.

    As widespread protests continued across the valley, Indian occupying forces had converted it into a garrison by deploying hundreds of thousands of troops and paramilitary personnel in every street, line and by-lane to stop people from staging demonstrations.

    WHAT IS ARTICLE 370?

    Article 370 was the basis of Jammu and Kashmir’s accession to the Indian union at a time when former princely states had the choice to join either Pakistan or India after their independence from the British rule in 1947.

    The article, which came into effect in 1949, exempts Jammu and Kashmir state from the Indian Constitution.

    It allows IoK to make its own laws in all matters except finance, defence, foreign affairs and communications. The article established a separate constitution, a separate flag and denied property rights in the region to the outsiders.

    That means the residents of the state live under different laws from the rest of the country in matters such as property ownership and citizenship.

    WHAT IS ARTICLE 35A?

    Article 35A is a branch of Article 370, which was introduced through a presidential order in 1954 to continue the old provisions of the territory regulations.

    The article permits the local legislature in IoK to define permanent residents of the region. It forbids outsiders from permanently settling, buying land, holding local government jobs or winning education scholarships in the region.

    While Article 35A has remained unchanged, some aspects of Article 370 have been diluted over the decades.

    WHY WERE THEY ABOLISHED?

    The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its right-wing allies have challenged Article 35A which it calls discriminatory. Earlier this year, a senior BJP leader had hinted that the government was planning to form exclusive Hindu settlements in the region.

    With the special status repealed, people from the rest of India would have the right to acquire property in IoK and settle there permanently.

    Kashmiris fear the move would lead to a demographic transformation of the region from majority-Muslim to majority-Hindu, paving way for Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s hardliner BJP in the disputed territory.

  • Kashmiris are finding solace in Turkish drama ‘Diriliş: Ertuğrul’

    Turkish historical fiction series Diriliş: Ertuğrul popularly referred to as the Turkish Game of Thrones‘ by fans, has become a sensation in Indian-occupied Kashmir, beating the internet ban in the valley.

    According to a report in Print India, “Diriliş: Ertuğrul, which means ‘Resurrection Ertugrul’, is travelling from one household to another in flash drives, circumventing a government effort to stop local cable operators from airing content produced by Muslim countries such as Turkey, Pakistan and Iran.”

    Fans not only enjoy the show but say it has helped them “rediscover” Islamic history.

    Though the show was popular in the area before the lockdown, its popularity appears to have skyrocketed following the blackout, including in previously uncharted areas of the Valley. Watching the show together has become a family activity for most families living there.

    According to Kashmiris, with no internet, restrictions on civil movement and the shutdown between August and October, contributed to its popularity, to the extent that “analysing” the series is becoming an activity of sorts at coaching centers, street corners and even at mosques.

    As for how they gained access to the show, many people had already downloaded the series before the internet ban, while some got it on trips outside the Valley. The series was then shared between different households.

    Set in 13th century Anatolia, Diriliş: Ertuğrul follows the time before the establishment of the Ottoman Empire and illustrates the struggle of Ertugrul Gazi, the father of Osman I – the founder of the Ottoman dynasty.

    It has five seasons, all of which have more than 25 episodes, each around two hours long.

    Previously, Prime Minister Imran Khan had requested PTV to air the show and had recommended all Pakistanis to watch it because it “promotes the true Islamic values.”

    Following the PM’s request, PTV acquired the rights to the drama and will soon be airing it after it is dubbed in Urdu.

  • Fawad Chaudhry has asked SUPARCO to help in providing internet to Kashmiris

    Fawad Chaudhry has asked SUPARCO to help in providing internet to Kashmiris

    More than 100 days have passed since the Indian Government revoked Article 370 and imposed curfew in Indian occupied Kashmir and there is no information as to when the curfew will be lifted.

    In a recent media talk, Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry said that he has reached out to Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) to provide internet to the people of Kashmir via satellite.

    “Internet is considered a fundamental right nowadays. I have asked SUPARCO to check the feasibility of providing internet to caged citizens of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir via satellite,” said Fawad, adding that his ministry is ready to help out SUPARCO wherever they need help.

    Fawad highlighted the plight of the Kashmiris and said that they have every right to have access to the internet.

    https://twitter.com/FawadPTIUpdates/status/1195003818125221890
  • ‘Imran Bhai se rishta kya, La Ilaha Illallah’: Held Kashmir abuzz with pro-Imran chants

    ‘Imran Bhai se rishta kya, La Ilaha Illallah’: Held Kashmir abuzz with pro-Imran chants

    Kashmiris’ struggle for independence from the clutches of Indian occupying forces has been reinvigorated ever since Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, being their “ambassador to the world”, highlighted the crisis at the United Nations (UN).

    With his address to the 74th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) sweeping the troubled valley, an unprecedented wave of hope has compelled the people of the Muslim-majority region to leave their homes regardless of the restrictions imposed by India.

    According to media reports, within less than a week of PM Imran’s speech, Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK) has witnessed over 50 street protests in different districts.

    As part of other protests being held since PM Imran kicked off his Kashmir campaign in the United States (US) last month, a report by BBC Urdu revealed, scores of Kashmiri protestors have taken to streets, raising slogans for freedom and demanding India to “Go back!”

    WATCH VIDEO:

    The streets of IoK are abuzz with chants of “We’re Pakistanis, Pakistan is ours!” and “What do we want? Freedom!” Among other popular slogans that hail PM Imran as a hero are, “Your brother and mine, Imran Khan!”, and “What’s our relation with Imran Khan? La Ilaha Illallah.”

    KASHMIR & IMRAN:

    The long-pending Kashmir dispute on August 5 worsened when PM Narendra Modi-led government abrogated Article 370 of the Indian constitution and robbed the region of its autonomy.

    With Pakistan fearing ethnic cleansing of Muslims in the valley as a result of the move, PM Imran announced becoming the “ambassador of the people of Kashmir to the world”.

    As part of his campaign, the premier has been highlighting Indian atrocities in IoK on different forums, including the UN.

    His entire US trip was dedicated to raising voice for innocent Kashmiris, while the highlight of his maiden UNGA address also remained intense criticism of India for the annexation of IoK and the restrictions imposed on the region under Modi’s rule.

  • US Representative AOC stands up for Kashmiris

    US Representative AOC stands up for Kashmiris

    Expressing support for the people of Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK), trailblazing United States (US) Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez aka AOC has said the blockade on communication and life-saving medical care in the valley must end.

    “We stand for the basic human dignity of Kashmiris [and] support democracy, equality, and human rights for all — including the most vulnerable,” AOC, who is among the most progressive US congresswomen, tweeted Tuesday.

    “Reports of violence & torture are extremely concerning, and the blockade from communication and life-saving medical care must end [sic],” she said.

    The tweet came after AOC visited a Kashmir solidarity camp in New York City.

    AOC is not the only US lawmaker who has condemned Indian actions in the held valley.

    Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib had in September also called for the communications blockade and curfew restrictions in IoK to be lifted to shed light on what is happening in the disputed region.

    People of the valley have been held hostage by Indian occupying forces since August 5 when Narendra Modi-led government in New Delhi abrogated Article 370 of its constitution to rob the Muslim-majority region of its autonomy.

  • PM Imran’s UN speech beats Modi, Trump’s address in popularity

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) speech has been ranked first in terms of popularity with a total of 712,906k views on UN’s official Youtube channel.

    According to the details, the Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is at the second place with 520,264k views and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is at the third spot with 397,347k views.

    Meanwhile, the Indian PM Narendra Modi and United States President have received the lowest views, which are 107,077k and 60,851k views, respectively.

    Imran Khan’s UNGA speech received massive praise both in Pakistan and around the world, in which he raised voice for the people of occupied Kashmir, held hostage by India since August 05, when it robbed the region of its autonomous state.

  • Kashmiris protest against India with apples

    Kashmiris protest against India with apples

    Farmers in India-occupied Kashmir (IoK) are intentionally letting their apples rot in a bid to discourage the valley’s most profitable export as bitterness towards the Indian government grows.

    According to a report by AFP, farmers are purposely sabotaging the crop, vital to the local economy, in protest against Modi’s government.

    At an orchard in central Shopian district, Ghulam Nabi Malik and his brother usually sell 7,000 boxes of apples per year earning them some seven million rupees (nearly $100,000). Their land is now idle, with branches drooping under the weight of unpicked fruit.

    “Let it rot on the trees,” Malik said, adding, “To leave the ripe apples rotting on the trees is the only form of protest we can do under the current circumstances.”

    Malik said that harvesting would allow the Indian government “to tell the world that everything is fine in Kashmir” and he wants the world to know that everything is far from fine.

    In early August, the Indian Government revoked Article 370 which granted special status to IoK. Troops were deployed in the region and all communication in the valley was blocked, cutting off Kashmiris from the outside world. Thousands of civilians and political leaders have been arrested and protests have raged since.

    Pro-independence fighters have pasted posters outside mosques, appealing to orchard owners not to harvest and instead join the protest.

    The fertile Himalayan region usually sells apple worth hundreds of million dollars each year, and more than half of Kashmiris are engaged directly or indirectly in cultivation.

  • Firdous bashes Sharmeen, Malala for ‘double standards’

    Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan has criticised Nobel laureate and education activist Malala Yousafzai as well as Oscar-winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy for their “silence over the Kashmir crisis”.

    “Our sister Chinoy, who used to speak-up for acid victims in Pakistan and received an Oscar for her documentary, is now lost somewhere. Kashmiri sisters and mothers are calling out Sharmeen Chinoy to speak up for their rights,” PM’s aide said while addressing a press conference Thursday.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tax8eV-qnuA&feature=youtu.be

    “She [Sharmeen] and NGOs [Non-Governmental Organisations] were always ready to project a negative image of Pakistan to the world whenever an incident related to minorities occurred. But now when Kashmiri women are facing tough situations in the occupied valley, these organisations are sleeping.”

    Firdous alleged that they “used to receive foreign funds for promoting the negative image and now the rights of Kashmiris were not a part of their financers’ agenda”.

    She even criticised Malala for not speaking up for Kashmiris. “Malala used to speak for the rights and education of children in [erstwhile] FATA [Federally Administrated Tribal Areas] and received many awards and appreciation from the United Nations (UN) and the world… I want to hear her voice for Kashmiri children as well”.

    SHARMEEN & MALALA:

    This is not the first time that Chinoy is being received criticised for her works as her Oscar-winning documentary “Saving Face” on acid attack survivors and their tough battle for justice received much hatred for “projecting Pakistan’s negative image”.

    Malala has also been facing severe criticism for not speaking up for Kashmiris, even though she has expressed her concern for the people of the held valley.

    “I am deeply concerned about reports of 4,000 people, including children, arbitrarily arrested & jailed, about students who haven’t been able to attend school for more than 40 days, about girls who are afraid to leave their homes [sic],” she tweeted earlier this month.

  • PM Imran’s Kashmir campaign reaches Times Square

    PM Imran’s Kashmir campaign reaches Times Square

    With the situation in Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK) worsening as the valley remains under lockdown for 53 days, the ordeal of Kashmiris has been highlighted at Times Square in New York City.

    All eyes are on New York where dozens of global leaders have gathered for the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

    With Pakistan, especially Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, continuing to voice concerns over Indian occupying forces’ brutalities against innocent Kashmiris and Narendra Modi-led government’s move to rob the held valley of its autonomy, a movement to express solidarity with Kashmiris has taken the world by storm.

    “With the extraordinary efforts of PM Imran Khan, Kashmir issue has now become a Global concern. The voice of people of IOJ&K is once again being heard in the highest diplomatic forums. ‘Stand With Kashmir’ has been highlighted in Times Square New York, today [sic],” government of Pakistan tweeted Thursday.

    Earlier, protests marred Modi and United States (US) President Donald Trump’s rally in Houston, Texas, where members of Pakistani and Indian minority communities gathered to raise their voice for the Kashmir cause.

    The “anti-Modi demonstration” outside the “Howdy, Modi” event venue, called attention to the “racist Modi regime” and its ongoing human rights violations in India-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

  • Erdogan slams int’l community for its silence on Kashmir

    Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has criticised the international community for failing to pay attention to Kashmir conflict, urging dialogue to find a solution of decades-long row between Pakistan and India, Express Tribune reported.

    According to the details, in his address at UN General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York, Erdogan said that the stability and prosperity of South Asia cannot be separated from the Kashmir issue, awaiting solution for 72 years.

    “In order for the Kashmiri people to look at a safe future together with their Pakistani and Indian neighbours, it is imperative to solve the problem through dialogue and on the basis of justice and equity, but not through collision,” said Erdogan.

    He added, “Despite the resolutions adopted, [India-occupied] Kashmir is still besieged and eight million people are stuck in Kashmir”.

    Following Erdogan’s remarks, Prime Minister Imran Khan thanked him for raising the issue of occupied Kashmir at the UNGA and calling for a solution to the long-standing dispute.

    In a subsequent tweet, PM said: “I appreciate President Erdogan’s statement that the stability and prosperity of South Asia cannot be separated from the Kashmir issue.”

    People of Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK) have been held hostage by Indian occupying forces since August 5 when New Delhi abrogated the article to rob the disputed territory of its autonomy.