India’s Republic Day Rings Hollow Amid Ongoing Repression in Kashmir

Islamabad: Zaffar Ahmad Quraishi, Chairman of Kashmir Campaign Global, said India’s Republic Day celebrations stand in stark contradiction to the continued erosion of civil liberties in Indian-administered Kashmir.
Quraishi pointed to recent Reuters reporting that Kashmiri journalists were summoned by police and compelled to sign undertakings not to “disturb peace” after reporting on state monitoring of mosques and religious institutions. Press freedom organisations have condemned the move as an act of intimidation aimed at silencing independent journalism.
He also highlighted the ongoing restrictions imposed on religious and political leaders, including the Mirwaiz of Kashmir, Umar Farooq, whose movement has once again been curtailed, preventing him from carrying out his religious duties.
Quraishi further drew attention to the recent conviction by a Delhi court of Kashmiri women leaders Asiya Andrabi, Sofi Fehmeeda and Nahida Nasreen, following nearly eight years of incarceration. The court did not establish their involvement in any specific terrorist act, yet convicted them on conspiracy and association charges under India’s counter-terrorism legislation, with sentencing still pending.
He noted that United Nations human rights experts have repeatedly warned that mass detentions, alleged ill-treatment in custody, punitive house demolitions and prolonged communication restrictions in Kashmir may amount to serious violations of international human rights standards.
“Democratic credentials are not measured by parades and slogans, but by the protection of press freedom, religious liberty and due process,” Quraishi said. “Counter-terrorism laws must not be weaponised to justify collective punishment or suppress legitimate dissent.”