Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir National Front (JKNF) has publicly commended the resilience of its chairman, Nayeem Ahmed Khan, who marks seven years of detention in India’s Tihar Jail.
According to Kashmir Media Service, JKNF spokesman Muhammad Haseeb Wani voiced grave concerns over Khan’s prolonged detention during a statement in Srinagar. He criticized the lack of substantial evidence presented by Indian authorities against Khan, despite his lengthy imprisonment. Wani described the detention as a severe violation of human rights, part of the Modi government’s broader strategy to quell dissent in the region.
Wani praised Khan’s enduring commitment to the Kashmir cause, stating, “Nayeem Ahmed Khan is creating a history of patience, perseverance, and determination in the face of persecution at the hands of Indian rulers.” He further noted that the charges against Khan remain unproven in court, underlining the political nature of his and other Kashmiri leaders’ incarcerations.
The spokesman also highlighted the broader context of Kashmiri leadership under duress, including figures like Shabbir Ahmed Shah, Masarat Alam Butt, Muhammad Yasin Malik, and Aasiya Andrabi, all detained for their roles in the freedom struggle and advocating for a referendum in Kashmir.
Reaffirming the Kashmiri commitment to self-determination, Wani called on international bodies, including the United Nations, to intervene and assist in the release of all Kashmiri prisoners detained under contentious circumstances, particularly since the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019.
Additionally, Wani urged the Kashmiri populace to mark August 5 as a day of mourning, referencing the date as a significant moment of oppression when India altered the region’s special status in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions.