Srinagar, Leaders of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) have voiced strong opposition to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Jammu and Kashmir, criticizing the continued Indian occupation and calling for a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir dispute in line with the aspirations of its people.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Prime Minister Modi plans to visit Jammu on February 20, where he is set to address a public rally at Maulana Azad Stadium, inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for multiple projects virtually, and engage with citizens via video conferencing. Additionally, Modi is expected to distribute job letters to the youth during his daylong visit.

APHC leader Mohammad Yousaf Naqash, in a statement issued from Srinagar, drew attention to the prolonged suffering and resistance of the Kashmiri people under decades of Indian rule, asserting that no economic incentive could heal the deep-seated wounds caused by the occupation. He quoted the late Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Gilani, emphasizing the rejection of any form of Indian dominance, regardless of the benefits promised.

Farida Behanji, another APHC leader, stated that the only acceptable outcome for the people of Kashmir is a peaceful resolution of the conflict in accordance with United Nations resolutions and the genuine desires of the Kashmiri populace, asserting that economic packages from India cannot substitute for true independence. Behanji highlighted the unbreakable spirit of the Kashmiri freedom movement, despite India’s attempts to suppress it through both overt and covert acts of aggression.

The leaders’ statements underscored the critical importance of addressing the Kashmir issue as a prerequisite for lasting peace in South Asia, pointing to the need to curtail India’s aggressive policies in the region.

The criticisms come at a time of heightened tension and ongoing calls for international intervention to resolve the long-standing dispute, reflecting a deep-seated desire for self-determination among the Kashmiri people.