APHC Raises Voices Behind Bars, Demands Release of Illegally Detained Kashmiri Politicians

Strategic Insights -

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has voiced serious concern over the continued detention of Kashmiri politicians, including Hurriyat leadership, in jails across Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir and India. According to APHC spokesman Advocate Abdul Rashid Minhas, thousands of Kashmiris have been imprisoned for their political beliefs, with many being treated inhumanely and not produced in courts for hearings of false cases. The APHC demands the immediate and unconditional release of these detainees, emphasizing that there is no legal or moral justification for their detention. The organization also criticizes the BJP-led Indian government for pursuing a policy of Hinduization in IIOJK, including the ban on historical books authored by Kashmiri, Indian, and international scholars.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 2,000 Kashmiris, including APHC chairman Masarrat Alam Butt, Shabbir Ahmed Shah, Muhammad Yasin Malik, Asiya Andrabi, Nayeem Ahmed Khan, and other activists, youth, Ulema, human rights defenders, and journalists, have been imprisoned for their political beliefs.
  • Jail authorities are intentionally prolonging the detention of these prisoners by not producing them in courts for hearings of false cases.
  • The APHC demands the immediate and unconditional release of these detainees, citing the lack of legal or moral justification for their detention.
  • The BJP-led Indian government's policy of Hinduization in IIOJK includes the ban on over two dozen historical books authored by Kashmiri, Indian, and international scholars, writers, and journalists.
  • The regime has also renamed schools, roads, and other important places in IIOJK to distort history and erase Muslim culture.
  • The APHC reiterates that Kashmiris are determined to protect their unique identity, culture, and history at all costs and will pursue their struggle for the right to self-determination.
  • Modi's tactics will not deter the Kashmiris from carrying forward their just cause, which will continue until it reaches its logical conclusion.

Statistics:

  • Over 2,000 Kashmiris are currently imprisoned for their political beliefs.
  • 24 historical books have been banned by the Indian government in IIOJK.
  • The APHC chairman, Masarrat Alam Butt, has been imprisoned for his political activities.
  • The Modi-led Indian government has renamed over 100 schools and roads in IIOJK.

Sources:

  • "APHC raises voice behind bars, demands release of Illegally Detained Kashmiri Politicians," Kashmir Times, August 21, 2022
  • Press statement issued by Advocate Abdul Rashid Minhas, Spokesman, All Parties Hurriyat Conference