AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Srinagar, The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Indian government of staging a parliamentary election drama in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) to mislead the international community about the actual ground situation in the territory.
According to Kashmir Media Service, APHC spokesman Advocate Abdul Rashid Minhas stated that the Modi regime intends to bolster its claims of normalcy in IIOJK through Lok Sabha elections. He highlighted that India has maintained its illegal control over Kashmir through military force, with over 1,100,000 troops deployed in the UN-mandated disputed territory, making it the world’s most militarized zone. The soldier-to-civilian ratio is approximately 1:10, indicating the heavy military presence and the treatment of civilians as enemies.
The APHC spokesman expressed serious concern over recent attempts by Hindutva groups to desecrate a mosque and a shrine in the Tral area of Pulwama. He stressed that these acts are unacceptable to the people of Kashmir and would be strongly resisted. The spokesman noted that mosques and shrines in Kashmir have historically been central to religious and political gatherings, representing the sentiments and aspirations of the people. He claimed that the Hindutva parties, particularly the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and BJP, have a long history of attempting to undermine these religious institutions.
The APHC also rejected remarks made by Peoples Conference Chairman Sajjad Gani Lone, who claimed that the freedom ideology has died in IIOJK. The APHC spokesman said that Lone’s statements reflect a pro-Indian stance and do not represent the true sentiments of Kashmiris. He added that Sajjad Lone is playing into the hands of Indian agencies and his remarks are part of a broader anti-Kashmir and anti-Muslim agenda driven by RSS and BJP.
The APHC reiterated that despite India’s brutal attempts to suppress the Kashmiri people’s spirit, the movement for freedom and the aspiration to join Pakistan remain strong. The spokesman emphasized that the Kashmiri people are determined to carry forward the mission of their martyrs and are committed to achieving their long-standing dream of freedom.