Srinagar, The Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) has echoed the All Parties Hurriyat Conference’s call for a complete shutdown in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) this Thursday, coinciding with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the region. The move comes as a form of protest against what the DFP and other Kashmiri leaders view as India’s ongoing misrepresentation of the situation in Kashmir and an attempt to project a semblance of normalcy to the international community.

According to Kashmir Media Service, DFP spokesperson Advocate Arshad Iqbal voiced strong opposition to Modi’s planned visit, accusing the Indian government of spreading misinformation to mislead the global community about the reality on the ground in Kashmir. Iqbal emphasized the Kashmiri people’s continued resistance against India’s forceful occupation and called for the Indian government to respect the international status of Kashmir as a disputed territory, urging a resolution in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Other Kashmiri leaders, including Muhammad Yousuf Naqash, Farida Behan Ji, and representatives from the Jammu and Kashmir National Front and United Political Forum, have also spoken out against the Modi government’s policies in Kashmir. They criticized the Indian government’s approach of coupling repressive tactics with economic incentives, which they argue only adds to the Kashmiri people’s hardships. The revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status was particularly highlighted as an act of oppression and insult by Modi’s administration.

The collective stance of these Kashmiri representatives and organizations underscores the deep-rooted discontent among the local population regarding India’s handling of the Kashmir issue. The leaders also extended their congratulations to Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif on his recent assumption of the Prime Ministerial role in Pakistan for the second time, signaling the interconnectedness of regional politics and the Kashmir dispute.

The call for a strike and the unified voice of opposition against Modi’s visit reflect the ongoing struggle in Kashmir and the desire for a peaceful and just resolution to the longstanding conflict, rooted in the aspirations and rights of the Kashmiri people.