Islamabad, The All Parties Hurriyat Conference in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (APHC-AJK) has condemned the forthcoming visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), terming it a “cruel joke” with the Kashmiri people. The statement reflects the deep-seated grievances and ongoing unrest in the region, underscoring the contentious nature of Modi’s planned visit.
According to Kashmir Media Service, APHC-AJK leaders, including Convenor Mehmood Ahmed Saghar, General Secretary Sheikh Abdul Mateen, and Secretary Information Imtiaz Wani, have voiced their objections in a joint statement issued in Islamabad. They criticized the actions of the Modi government, describing it as an RSS-backed fascist regime that has inflicted severe brutality upon the people of Kashmir.
The APHC-AJK leadership specifically condemned the revocation of Article 370 and 35-A, which they view as an outright attack on the rights of Kashmiris. Since August 5, 2019, when these constitutional provisions were abrogated, the region has witnessed an escalation in violence, arbitrary arrests, and significant economic hardship, as per statement.
Furthermore, the Hurriyat leaders accused the Indian government of trying to change the demographic composition of IIOJK, an action they claim is designed to suppress the indigenous Kashmiri identity and transform the region into a “graveyard.”
This outspoken critique from the APHC-AJK comes amid heightened tensions in Kashmir, where the local population continues to demand the right to self-determination and an end to Indian military presence. Modi’s visit, as per the Hurriyat’s statement, only adds insult to injury for those who have been bearing the brunt of the conflict.