SYDNEY, Australia: Several Islamic organisations around the world have strongly condemned Indian atrocities and use of brutal force to annex Kashmir after revoking article 370 and 35A.
In a statement issued by the spokesperson for the Islamic Circle of Australia and New Zealand (iCAN) Tamjid Aijazi said iCAN believed in upholding the rule of law – local and international. “We understand that violation of laws leads to anarchy and eventually disasters,” Aijazi remarked.
“We strongly believe in basic human rights. We believe that every human being in this world has the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression and the right to work and education. More so, everyone is entitled to these rights, without any discrimination.”
Aijazi asserted that Muslims in Australia and New Zealand were deeply concerned over Indian violation of international law and disrespect of the United Nations resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir.
The spokesperson pointed out that Jammu Kashmir was a Muslim majority independent state which has three stakeholders: Kashmiris, Pakistanis and Indians.
“By unilaterally deciding to change the status of Kashmir after revoking article 370 of Indian constitution, India as a country has violated international law violated resolutions of the United Nations and disrespected the basic human rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
Aijazi said iCAN strongly condemned India’s illegal move and urged the governments of Australia and New Zealand to play their role in upholding international law and exercise their pressure on the Indian government to reverse its decision and respect the resolutions of the United Nations.
“We would also like to highlight the humanitarian crisis evolving in the valley of Jammu Kashmir, which needs Australia and New Zealand’s immediate attention,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
“Due to a strict curfew for the past few days and complete blockade, women and children are running short of food and water, medical emergencies are taking place and there is a concern that hundreds of women and children might starve to death as a result of this unjustified blockade.”
The Indian army is using brutal force to torture Kashmiri youth, women and children to suppress their voices.
“We urge all Australian leaders, rights groups and humanitarian organisations to exercise their influence to highlight Indian atrocities against the people of Kashmir,” the iCAN spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, the Islamic Forum for Australian Muslims (IFAM) condemned the revoking of article 370 by the Indian government. The statement issued by the organisation pointed out that change in the status of Kashmir was a major shift in the conflict over the area.
“We are concerned that the revoking of the Article 370 of the Constitution of India on August 5, 2019, which accorded special status to Jammu Kashmir could further increase the existing tension in the region,” the statement read.
“We sincerely hope for the resolution of the problem through dialogue and within the framework of the UN resolutions by observing the legislative interests of all people of Jammu Kashmir as well as Pakistan and India.”
“We call on the Indian government to restore the status of Jammu Kashmir and to ensure the human and civil rights of the people. We also call on the Australian government to do all in power to influence its Indian counterpart on this matter.”
In a statement issued to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir, the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) President Dr Rateb Jneid said historically there have been widespread reports of human rights violations in the area and severe oppression of the civilian population.
He said: “We call on the Indian government to restore the status of Kashmir and to ensure the human and civil rights of the Kashmir people.”
“We also call on the Australian government to do all in its power to influence its Indian counterpart on this matter,” he said.
“We note the reports already emerging of an internet block and Indian troops patrolling civilian areas. This is a troubling early sign of what this change may mean,” Dr Jneid remarked.
“We urge all international leaders to do everything possible to safeguard the innocent people of Kashmir and ensure another global human tragedy does not occur,” he concluded.
Dallas rally against Indian annexation of Kashmir brought hundreds
Hundreds of peaceful protesters converged on JFK Memorial in Dallas last Saturday to denounce the Indian annexation of Kashmir and urge US Congress and world leaders to reject New Delhi’s illegal action.
The rally was organised by Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir and highlight Indian atrocities in the region.
For 72 years, the people of Kashmir have asked for a referendum to decide the status of their land, but India has refused to allow such a vote. Instead, Articles 370 and 35A of the Indian constitution gave Kashmir a special status allowing it limited autonomy, job preference and land preservation. The people of Kashmir have been under lockdown. India has cut most of the phone and internet services in the area and put Kashmiri leaders under house arrest.
With tens of thousands of heavily armed Indian troops enforcing a debilitating curfew, the Kashmiris are facing food shortages and threat of violence. India and a section of the Indian media are painting a rosy picture of the situation in Kashmir but a fact-finding team reported that the resentment against Indian decision is running high. According to activists who managed to visit Kashmir under severe restrictions, the troops have detained children as young as 11.
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