Tag Archives: #khalistan

ISLAMABAD, LATEST, OPENION, WORLD

“Hindutva’s Unrelenting Attacks on Religious Minorities – RSS-Backed Plan to Convert India into Hindu Rashtra Threatens Communal Diversity”

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On 21st September 1949, Manipur, which was once an Independent Princely State, was merged with the Indian Union. The state was taken over by the British in 1891. Manipur subsequently became a Union territory of India in 1962 and achieved full statehood in 1972. Moreover, Article 371C of the Indian Constitution provides protection to tribal areas and prohibits people from the valley or outside buying land in hill districts inhabited by Scheduled Tribes (ST). However, the attempt to alter the ST status is fueled by the political desire of the Hindutva movement, with an objective to acquire resources/land of the ST community for the Meitei community (predominantly Hindus).

The RSS, which has mentored Modi, has plans to convert India into a Hindu Rashtra, creating a Hindutivized polity that threatens the communal diversity of the country. As a result, religious minorities like Muslims, who make up 14.23% of the total population (over 200 million), are being oppressed and subdued.

Exposing the Darkness: The Brutal Reality of Hindu Extremism and the Plight of Dalits in India

Hindu extremists have committed heinous acts like the Gujarat pogrom, Delhi riots, and Babri Mosque demolition. The recent daylight murder of Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf in police custody by Hindu goons is just the latest example. Similarly, Dalits (over 20.14 million population) are also being treated as sub-humans with frequent occurrences of rape/molestation of Dalit women, harassment/murder of Dalit men, and social discrimination against them- such as not being allowed to use the same water tape as Brahmins.

Despite the fact that Christians in India make up only 2.3% of the population, they are facing severe persecution due to anti-conversion laws passed by BJP-ruled states. This has resulted in attacks on bishops, religious leaders, and even nuns. In addition, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat dehumanized Noble Laureate Mother Teresa, accusing her of proselytizing and claiming she didn’t deserve the Nobel Prize.

“Standing Strong Amidst Adversity: The Plight of Christians in India”

The recent case of Indian Catholic priest Stan Swamy, who was imprisoned under anti-terror law and died in custody, illustrates the lack of attention given by Prime Minister Modi to the persecution of Christians. This is exemplified by the case of Manipur, which has a diverse religious population, including 41.29% Christians, yet Christian victims are frequently ignored.

The predominantly Christian ST population in Manipur is facing targeting due to their opposition towards the High Court’s decision to award ST status to the predominantly Hindu Meiteis community. The tribal population in Manipur has certain privileges protected under Article 371C, including job quotas, admission in educational institutes, and a bar on non-Scheduled Tribes from buying land in hill districts.

“Betrayal and Targeting: The Plight of Manipur’s Christian ST Community in Demand for a Separate State”

The BJP-led Manipur State government is seeking to undo Article 371C, similar to Modi’s actions in IIOJK, which has led the ST (Christians) to demand for a separate or independent state. Therefore, the situation in Manipur justifies the demand for a separate or independent state.

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ISLAMABAD, LATEST, WORLD

“G20 Tourism Summit in Kashmir Marred by Opposition and Absentees: Is the Region Ready for International Attention?”

The G20 tourism meeting scheduled to be held in Kashmir has encountered opposition from some local groups and governments, and several member countries have announced their non-participation. The summit, which aims to discuss and coordinate strategies on sustainable tourism, was planned to take place in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, from June 24 to 25.

However, some Kashmiri separatist groups and politicians have called for a boycott of the G20 event, claiming that it legitimizes the Indian government’s rule over the disputed region and ignores the human rights abuses and political turmoil there. The call for boycott has led to protests and clashes in some areas.

In addition, at least four G20 members, including Canada, the United States, Australia, and South Korea, have opted out of attending the summit, citing concerns about security, travel advisories, and the current situation in Kashmir. Some observers also speculate that the recent trade tensions and diplomatic disputes among G20 countries could have influenced the decision not to participate.

The absence of these major players could weaken the impact and scope of the G20 tourism meeting, which is supposed to address issues such as climate change, cultural heritage, and innovation in the tourism industry. Some participants and organizers have expressed disappointment and frustration, while others hope that the summit can still produce meaningful outcomes and promote dialogue among different stakeholders.

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MARTYRDOM ANNIVERSARY OF MIRWAIZ FAROOQ & ABDUL GHANI LONE

Mirwaiz Molvi Muhammad Farooq and Khawaja Abdul Ghani Lone were ruthlessly martyred by Indian agents on 21st May in 1990 and 2002 respectively. Seventy mourners were martyred when Indian troops opened indiscriminate fire on Molvi farooq’s funeral procession in ‘Hawal’ area of Srinagar. The freedom struggle of Kashmiris is adorned with the blood of martyrs and therefore no power on earth could defeat it through oppressive measures. Mirwaiz Molvi Muhammad Farooq and Khawaja Abdul Ghani Lone represented the essence of unity and oneness of the Kashmiri people. They strived and sacrificed their lives for this sacred cause and got their names written with honor and dignity in the annals of Kashmir history. Chairman of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Ghulam Ahmad Gulzar said that the best way to pay homage to the Kashmiri martyrs is to carry forward the ongoing freedom struggle till it reaches its logical conclusion. Meanwhile, APHC appealed to the freedom loving people of IIOJK to observe complete shutdown on 21 May to commemorate the martyrdom anniversaries of prominent liberation leaders Mirwaiz Molvi Muhammad Farooq and Khawaja Abdul Ghani Lone as well as the martyrs of Hawal. The observance of the shutdown is also aimed at protesting against the illegal detention of Hurriyat leaders and activists lodged in different jails of IIOJK and India and to pay homage to their dedication and commitment to the ongoing freedom movement. APHC leadership denounced the atmosphere of repression, coercion and intimidation created by Indian troops and continued detention of Hurriyat leaders including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. It deplored that anyone who raises voice against Indian brutalities is detained and put in jails under draconian laws like Public Safety Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Modi led Indian regime cannot suppress the Kashmiri people’s urge for freedom through such brutal measures, adding the dream of peace and prosperity in the region would remain elusive without resolving the Kashmir dispute. The only way to do this is to give the Kashmiris their inalienable right to self-determination promised to them by the comity of nations as well as the Indian leadership.

ISLAMABAD, LATEST, WORLD

“China and Turkey likely to skip tourism meet in controversial Indian territory, as other countries opt for low-level attendance”

The upcoming tourism working group meeting in Srinagar, Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, may experience a lack of attendance from G20 member countries like China and Türkiye. According to Hindustan Times, even G20 member states and guest countries invited by India to participate will only have low-level representation at the event.

Diplomats from their respective embassies in New Delhi are expected to attend instead of officials from their capitals. Among the countries possibly represented by low-level officials are Saudi Arabia and Mexico. This isn’t the first time China has skipped a G20 meeting, having expressed dissatisfaction over the event held in Arunachal Pradesh in March. The UN Charter states that holding an international event in the disputed territory is a violation.

Meanwhile, India has turned the entire occupied territory into a fort ahead of the G20 meeting in Srinagar. The Indian forces, in the name of security measures for the meeting, have accelerated the unjustified actions of siege and search and the lives of the Kashmiris, who were already victims of Indian state terrorism, have become more difficult.

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference has called for a strike on May 22 in the occupied territory against the holding of the meeting. It said through the said meeting India actually wants to justify its illegal actions and wants to give the impression to the international community that the situation in IIOJK is fine.

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PAKISTAN REITERATES SUPPORT FOR JUST SETTLEMENT OF KASHMIR DISPUTE

Pakistan has reiterated its political, diplomatic and moral support to Kashmiri brothers and sisters for the just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions. A statement issued by the Pakistan Foreign Office in Islamabad said that the oppression in IIOJK continues unabated. Foreign Office said, “Since our last press briefing, the occupation forces killed at least six Kashmiri youth in Rajouri, Kupwara and Baramulla districts.”

“They [Indian troops] continued their cordon and search operations in Rajouri and Poonch districts, harassing the local population. Six shops of a pro-freedom activist, Fayaz Ahmed Magray, were attached by India’s National Investigation Agency in Pulwama district.” The statement added, “Two Kashmiri youth, Shahid Ahmad Lone and Waseem Ahmad Ganai, were arrested in Shopian district. Reportedly, 193 more Kashmiris have been identified, whose properties will be demolished as a punishment for their support to the freedom movement”. The Foreign Office demanded an immediate end to the human rights violations in the occupied territory. 

Since India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019, India is engineering demographic and political changes in IIOJK to convert Kashmiris into a disempowered minority in their own land. Pakistan’s strong and steadfast moral, political and diplomatic support for the Kashmiri people will continue till the realization of this inalienable right. 

“Pakistan will continue to raise its voice against these grave and systematic human rights violations in IIOJK. We will also continue to extend political, diplomatic and moral support to our Kashmiri brothers and sisters for the just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions,” the FO statement said.