Srinagar, In the aftermath of the recent parliamentary elections in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, local civil society members have voiced concerns over what they describe as targeted harassment and oppression by Indian security forces.
According to Kashmir Media Service, notable civil society figures including Dr. Zubair Ahmed, Muhammad Furhan, Muhammad Iqbal Shaheen, and Syed Haider Hussain have jointly stated that the Modi-led government is retaliating against Kashmiris for their lack of support for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the region. They argue that the presence of heavy military deployment, along with drones and helicopters, has transformed the area into more of a conflict zone than a political arena, raising serious doubts about the legitimacy of the elections conducted under such conditions.
The statement from the civil society members further underscores the ongoing struggle for autonomy in the region, stressing the Kashmiri populace’s continued demand for independence from what they claim is an illegal Indian occupation, and the reinstatement of rights previously guaranteed under Articles 370 and 35A, both revoked by the Indian government in August 2019.