Since Indian authorities
abrogated Article 370 of the Indian Constitution and stripped Jammu and Kashmir
of its special status on August 5, 2019. The hardships of Kashmiris has
escalated on an unprecedented scale and nature. While Kashmiri citizens of all
ages face state brutality, ongoing torture and serious violations of basic human
rights. It must be remembered that women and children remain the most
vulnerable. India, the world’s largest democracy by population, has clearly
promoted illiberal values both at home and abroad. As the Indian occupation
force up to 900,000, resulted Kashmir into the most militarized region in the
world. Inevitably, serious abuses against the people of the valley increased,
with women and children once again the most vulnerable targets of oppression and
brutality.Women in the Kashmir Valley are most affected by this inhumane siege.
The Indian Army dominates the streets of Kashmir and the pressure on education
is even greater. Schools in Kashmir have been closed since last year, which is
extremely shocking. According to The New York Times, about 1.5 million children
are out of school—meaning their future is on the brink of great uncertainty.
Fear and chaos gripped the lives of Kashmiris. In such a dangerous time, any
parent would think twice before sending their child to school. But It was not
enough for Indian authorities to close schools, they also used pellet guns to
blind Kashmiri children. The violent use of pellet guns, already routine by the
Indian authorities, increased after August 5, 2019 – especially when India
placed the valley under a brutal military base. The use of pellet guns and tear
gas with impunity only adds to the plight of Kashmiris.
With India’s Public Safety Act (PSA) of 1978 coming into full force, around
13,000 innocent children have been detained since August 5, 2020. Shockingly,
the PSA allows up to two years in prison for civilians without any conviction.
Many human rights groups have criticized the abhorrent law. Amnesty
International called the PSA a “lawless law”. There is clearly no end to the
atrocities in Kashmir supported by the Indian government. In May 2020,
14-year-old disabled child Hazim Shafie Bhat was brutally murdered by Indian
authorities in North Kashmir. Why is there no international outrage in this
case? Pakistan has called on the international community to be a voice for
oppressed Kashmiri children in Indian-administered Kashmir. Last year in a
statement marking International Children’s Day, a State Department spokesperson
called on India to immediately end its illegal and inhumane policies and
practices that violate the UN Convention on the Rights of the Childern.
(Iqra Azhar)