Srinagar, A recent report by the French newspaper Le Figaro, describing Jammu and Kashmir as a “Forgotten Paradise,” has come under scrutiny for overlooking the region’s longstanding turmoil and suffering under Indian military presence.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the French publication’s portrayal failed to acknowledge the significant violence and human rights violations in the region. In 2023 alone, Indian troops reportedly killed 248 Kashmiris in various incidents across the occupied territory. This stark reality contrasts sharply with the idyllic imagery presented by Le Figaro.

The newspaper’s omission extends to other critical aspects of the Kashmir conflict. It did not cover the 260 Cordon and Search Operations (CASOs) and Cordon and Destroy Operations (CADOs) conducted by Indian troops in 2023, nor the injuries to 274 Kashmiris, the arrest of 5,667 individuals, the vandalization of 138 civilian properties, or the 171 instances of internet shutdowns. The severe restrictions on media freedom in the region, including the repercussions for journalists covering encounters, were also overlooked.

Additionally, the report did not mention the December 11, 2023, verdict of the Supreme Court of India, which upheld the constitutional validity of the decision to revoke the semi-autonomous status of Jammu and Kashmir. This decision, which bifurcated the state into two Union Territories, has been criticized by mainstream political parties, civil society in Kashmir, and several Indian jurists, including former Supreme Court judges, for misinterpreting the constitutional framework.

The French newspaper’s focus on the picturesque landscapes of Kashmir, while ignoring the extrajudicial killings of at least 66 civilians by Indian troops in the past year, has raised concerns about the selective portrayal of the region’s situation.

Critics argue that a more balanced report would include the harsh realities faced by Kashmiris, such as civilian killings, property demolition, illegal confiscations, and forced evictions, which are part of India’s alleged campaign to dispossess them of their land and resources.