Kashmir is our forgotten cause and Palestine of Asia

Featured Image:  Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, Jammu and Kashmir,

The Kashmir issue is one of the oldest and most complex conflicts in modern history, with a prolonged dispute between India and Pakistan over the contested region of Kashmir. This region, suffering under Indian occupation, endures daily hardships for its defenseless people, who seek their right to self-determination and peaceful living. Despite international promises and agreements that were supposed to lead to a just resolution, the suffering of the people of Kashmir under Indian occupation continues.

Since 1947, when India gained independence from British colonial rule, the Kashmir issue has remained unresolved. With the onset of Indian occupation in the region, Kashmiris have endured an oppressive policy marked by violence, displacement, and restrictions on their basic rights.

One of the most prominent forms of oppression faced by the people of Kashmir is the systematic violence perpetrated by the Indian army against civilians. Kashmir suffers from severe human rights violations, with locals subjected to arbitrary arrests and torture, and being denied their fundamental rights, such as freedom of expression and assembly. Indian forces use excessive force to disperse peaceful protests, resulting in many martyrs and casualties. Additionally, strict security blockades prevent humanitarian aid and international relief from reaching the population.

What hurts the most in this conflict is the international community’s disregard for the tragedy of Kashmir. Despite numerous UN resolutions affirming the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination, India continues to ignore these resolutions and persist in violating the rights of the indigenous population. In recent years, further repressive measures have been taken, such as the abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution in 2019, which granted Kashmir autonomy, further increasing the suffering of the local population and escalating tensions.

This Indian policy has not only prolonged the suffering of the people of Kashmir but has also led to a deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the region. India has imposed restrictions on press freedom and attempted to curb coverage of the situation in Kashmir, making it difficult for the world to know the truth of what is happening there. Furthermore, the Indian government has continued efforts to alter the demographic makeup of Kashmir by encouraging Indian settlers to move to the region, which the people of Kashmir see as part of India’s attempts to forcibly change the identity of the region.

The suffering of the people of Kashmir is not limited to military occupation but also includes political and economic marginalization. The region has been deprived of social and economic progress due to Indian policies aimed at weakening its local population. At the same time, India’s exploitation of Kashmir’s natural resources has continued to benefit India, while the Kashmiris suffer from poverty and unemployment.

In conclusion, the suffering of the people of Kashmir under Indian occupation is not just a territorial dispute, but a humanitarian issue that requires urgent international intervention. The world’s silence on this tragedy reflects an unjust complicity in ignoring the Kashmiri people’s rights to self-determination and a free and dignified life. There must be effective global action to lift the injustice from Kashmir and its people, ensuring just and lasting solutions that respect their rights and lead to peace in the region.

Cooperation between Kashmir and Iran

After the victory of the Islamic Revolution, Iran began to show increasing support for the Kashmir issue, especially in international forums. This support was not only political but also extended to cultural and religious backing. Iran was one of the main supporters of the Kashmir cause in various international organizations, particularly in the United Nations. This stance endeared Iranians to many Kashmiris, who saw in Iran’s support and its leader a genuine Islamic spirit striving to bring justice to an oppressed people.

The Revolutionary Spirit of Kashmir

Despite the differences in geographical and political circumstances, many Kashmiri youth were influenced by the revolutionary ideas of Imam Khomeini. They were inspired by his message of resisting oppression and tyranny, which motivated many of them to participate in protests against Indian occupation. Imam Khomeini’s views on the role of youth in changing the situation and guiding the Islamic nation played a significant role in encouraging the Kashmiri generation to engage in political movements, whether through peaceful protests or armed confrontations against the occupying forces.

Conclusion

Imam Khomeini had a profound impact on the people of Kashmir through his political and religious message. Since Kashmir has long suffered from oppression and occupation, its people found inspiration and hope in Imam Khomeini’s ideas for achieving independence and justice. This influence was not only political but also cultural and religious, making Kashmir a part of the “Khomeini Revolution,” which transcended the borders of Iran to reach the hearts of Muslims around the world, including in Kashmir.

From the Hoopoe Platform