Srinagar, Kashmiri leaders have united in their condemnation of Indian Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent comments about restricting government employment for relatives of those involved in the Kashmiri freedom movement. This policy announcement has ignited a firestorm of criticism from various political figures within the region, who deem it discriminatory and unjust.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Shah, in a recent speech, declared that family members of individuals accused of participation in the freedom movement would not be eligible for government jobs, framing it as a counterterrorism measure to enhance national security. The details of how this policy will be enforced, however, have not been clearly outlined.
Prominent Kashmiri politicians, including Farooq Abdullah of the National Conference and former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, have vocally opposed Shah’s statement. Abdullah characterized the move as an excuse to punish the Kashmiri populace, suggesting it would only exacerbate the sense of alienation and resentment among the people.
Mehbooba Mufti, leader of the Peoples Democratic Party and also a former Chief Minister, mirrored Abdullah’s concerns, arguing that such a policy infringes on human rights and targets innocent family members, thus failing to address the underlying issues within the region.
Critics within Kashmir fear that this policy could lead to wider socio-economic difficulties, particularly for families already experiencing hardship, by potentially marginalizing them further. There are also apprehensions about the broader implications for civil liberties and collective punishment.
Legal experts have voiced concerns that this approach could be challenged in the courts, as it appears to contravene principles of justice and individual accountability as stipulated in the Indian Constitution.