Ashif Haris
One year of abrogation of article 370, Article 35A empowered the Jammu and Kashmir state’s legislature to define “permanent residents” of the state and provide special rights and privileges to those permanent residents and the removal of special status of Jammu and Kashmir by Hindu nationalist government without the consent or consultation of its 12.5 million people. Since the revoke of autonomous status of Jammu and Kashmir , the Government of India imposed a Brutal security lockdown, detaining thousands without any trials. Many political leaders,academicians and activists are still being held . For the last one year, Indian government has often used draconian laws like Public Safety Act (PSA) and Unlawful Activities Prevention Act(UAPA) to stifle dissent.
When India suddenly scrapped disputed Kashmir’s semi-autonomous status, followed by an unprecedented security clampdown, economic ruin ensued. The lockdown from august 2019 devastated the economy especially small scale businesses, agriculture and tourism. Amid the alarm of covid pandemic many students are struggling with online classes , the people of Kashmir Valley face suspension of Internet services and communication blackout , while the Indian authorities say it is necessary to maintain security.
Military forces are there in the rest of the country by helping the state to fight against the pandemic while Kashmir, the territory having the world’s largest number of Militants are trying to cage the whole valley and the people. During the covid crisis , the people of Jammu and Kashmir are in double lockdown with lack of ventilators ,PPE kit and tests which fail to deal with the pandemic. Stand in solidarity with Kashmir’s fight for freedom and self- determination.
