Afia Ambreen
While taking to CNN-News18, BJP general secretary Ram Madhav, had justified the controversial video in which armed forces are seen using a Kashmiri man as shield in front of their jeep. “I compliment the major for not allowing both these things to happen…If I were to blame anybody today for that scenario, it would be those who were responsible for failing to send reinforcements when the situation was critical and it was informed to the seniors…. In a war and love, everything is fair.” It is important to note that Madhav’s statement condoning and complimenting the army for using a civilian as a human shield reflects the BJP’s mindset and approach towards the people of Kashmir. Madhav’s justification of this inhuman act as everything being fair in love and war finally is an open admission by the Government of India that it considers itself at war with the people of Kashmir and will treat Kashmiris as such.The differences in the PDP-BJP coalition government are spilling out into the open with the two parties indulging in the war of words over the deteriorating law and order situation in valley. The separatists too have condemned Madhav’s statement saying it was a historical fact that the “founders of RSS had met Mussolini and Hitler” and were inspired by these enemies of humanity.
To crush the Kashmiri Liberation movement, India has employed various techniques including black laws. Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA), Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act 1990 (TADA) and Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1990, (AFSPA) are enforced in Kashmir despite the fact that they contravenes the Indian Constitution and international law. These laws violate the basic human rights such as right to life, the right to liberty and security of the person and the right to remedy. The Armed Forces (Jammu & Kashmir) Special Powers enforced on 10 September, 1990 authorized even a non-commissioned officer to search any place, fire at any person (and kill), or arrest on the basis of suspicion. TADA gives security forces and armed forces special powers for unauthorized administrative detention without formal charges or trial for up to one year. Under POTA, any person can be put into prison for not disclosing the information that can prevent an act of terrorism.
Director Amnesty International India, Ananth Guruswamy said, “The J&K authorities continue to use PSA to circumvent the rule of law and the criminal justice system. They resort to PSA detentions instead of charging and trying persons suspected of offences in court.” Even the Chief of Police in Kashmir has acknowledged that around 15,600 people were detained under the PSA without charge or trial in the last two decades. Detainees include political leaders and activists, suspected members or supporters of armed opposition groups, lawyers, journalists and protesters, including children. Many cases of human rights violation stem from abuse of power under repressive laws and police/army brutality unleashed against the Kashmiri people. They are taken into custody for acts that are legitimized by international human rights standards of free speech, freedom of association and assembly, and freedom of the press. The Indian government’s failure to account for these abuses and to take rigorous action against its forces responsible for murder, rape and torture speaks volumes of its fake posture of secular and democratic state. These atrocities are true reflection of its policy of condoning human rights violations by the Indian security forces in Kashmir. Ironically, Indian government assured that pellet gun would not be used against the protesters on the pressure of International community but now it started to equip its troops with ultra modern and dangerous weapon to keep down the freedom movement of innocent Kashmiris. He also said that Kashmiris are not warmonger rather they are flag bearers of peace and stability. International community, United Nation and OIC have to play an effective role for the safety of Kashmiri people and exert the pressure on India to stop bloodbath in Occupied Kashmir. United Nation has to shun its double standard and full its responsibilities towards Kashmir conflict. Kashmiris has been suffering for last 78 years because of the deliberately negligence of the United Nation. One hope that the dark night of inhuman pressure will end and Kashmiris will see the dawn of freedom and independents soon. India fail to find out peaceful solution of Kashmir and stopping inhuman treatment of Kashmiris people its own freedom and solidarity will face a serious danger. India can kill unarmed Kashmiri’s but cannot stifle their voice for freedom. India wants to decimate Kashmiri’s freedom movement with bombs and bullets but Kashmiri’s are destined to achieve their destiny. People of Jammu and Kashmir, he declared, will continue their struggle for freedom of the motherland from Indian yoke till the last Kashmiri is alive. Kashmiri’s have been rendering supreme sacrifices for generations and expressed the hope that their sacrifices would soon yield success.
