By Shehzad Hussain
On August 5, 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government revoked Articles 370 and 35A of the Indian Constitution. These provisions granted Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) special autonomous status since 1949.
This move stripped Kashmir of self-governance. It also defied the Instrument of Accession and violated UN Security Council Resolution 47, which called for a plebiscite. The Modi regime’s decision marked a constitutional coup and dismantled a decades-old legal framework.
Critically, the revocation bypassed constitutional norms. At the time, IIOJK had no elected government. Modi’s administration imposed governor’s rule to manipulate the process and legitimize the abrogation.
Kashmir Becomes a Militarized Prison
Since 2019, IIOJK has become the world’s most militarized zone. Nearly one million Indian troops enforce brutal control across the region. Draconian laws like the Public Safety Act and Armed Forces Special Powers Act grant them sweeping powers.
Human rights abuses have escalated sharply. Cases of torture, enforced disappearances, and arbitrary arrests are widespread. Security forces suppress journalists, silence activists, and attack peaceful protesters with pellet guns and live ammunition.
Amnesty International’s 2022 report stated: “The Indian government has drastically intensified the repression of the people of J&K.”
Demographic Engineering and Settler Colonialism
India is altering IIOJK’s demographics in violation of international law. The government has issued millions of domicile certificates to non-locals. These outsiders now have voting rights, reshaping the region’s political landscape.
The redrawing of constituencies favors Hindu settlers over the Muslim majority. So-called anti-encroachment drives allow land grabs from native Kashmiris. This strategy mirrors Israel’s settler-colonial model in Palestine.
Kashmir’s Muslim identity is under siege. Demographic engineering aims to reduce the indigenous population’s influence and render them powerless.
Economic Collapse and False Promises
Modi’s government promised prosperity post-abrogation. In reality, Kashmir’s economy has collapsed. Unemployment in IIOJK exceeds 25%, while India’s average is under 8%.
The once-thriving tourism and handicraft sectors are devastated. Over 144,000 people lost jobs in these industries. Apple growers suffer billions in losses due to roadblocks and failing infrastructure.
Despite claims of ₹56,000 crore in investments, economic indicators remain bleak. Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti dismissed the figures as “brazen lies.”
Targeting Education to Break the Future
Kashmiri youth have paid a heavy price. Thousands have left school or abandoned higher education. The Indian government banned schools run by Falah-e-Aam Trust, displacing over 10,000 students.
Curfews, internet shutdowns, and harassment further hinder education. India also barred students from studying in Pakistan and invalidated their degrees. This policy jeopardizes the future of hundreds of Kashmiri students.
Students who study in India face discrimination and isolation. Institutionalized harassment continues to discourage Kashmiri academic pursuits.
Erasing Culture, Silencing Faith
India’s crackdown includes a cultural war. Religious leaders are jailed, shrines are surveilled, and the Urdu language has been sidelined. Schools now enforce Hindu hymns, sparking backlash from Muslim communities.
The Modi regime seeks to erase Muslim cultural identity under its Hindutva ideology. Control of mosques, shrines, and Waqf properties is part of this assault.
This cultural suppression violates fundamental rights and inflames tensions in the already volatile region.
Violations of International Law and UN Mandates
India’s actions violate the UN Charter, Geneva Conventions, and multiple Security Council resolutions. The annexation of Kashmir defies international legal obligations.
Yet, global condemnation has been minimal. India’s aggression continues unchecked, destabilizing South Asia’s already fragile peace. The international community must act before irreversible damage is done.
Modi’s moves undermine global norms and threaten regional security.
Kashmiri Resolve Remains Unshaken
Despite immense hardship, the people of Kashmir remain steadfast. Their demand for self-determination has never been louder or more urgent.
For over 70 years, Kashmiris have waited for the promise of a plebiscite. Today, that promise feels more distant—but their resolve remains unbroken.
The world must stand with Kashmir. Justice, dignity, and freedom must not be delayed any longer.
