Modi Government Accused of Undermining Kashmiri Identity and Sovereignty

Islamabad, A new report accuses the Modi government, supported by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), of attempting to strip Kashmiris of their identity and ancestral lands, as part of a broader strategy to transform the Muslim majority in occupied Jammu and Kashmir into a minority.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the report claims that Hindutva leaders are vocal about their intentions to erase Kashmir’s unique identity by promoting pre-Islamic Hindu civilization in the region. The BJP-RSS alliance aims to achieve the full integration of Jammu and Kashmir with India through policies that include the revocation of Article 370, which previously granted special status to the region, facilitating the settlement of non-Kashmiris and promoting settler colonialism.

The report also details the fears of Kashmiris who believe these policies will render them jobless and landless within their own homeland. The widespread local outrage, as described in the report, stems from what is seen as a direct attack on Kashmiri heritage and lifestyle. The Kashmiris’ response, it notes, is a staunch refusal to be subdued by what they perceive as Hindu fanatic forces, with many stating they would prefer death over subjugation.