As India commemorates its 78th Independence Day, marking its liberation from British colonial rule, the nation is abuzz with patriotic fervor. Celebrations are in full swing, and the people have every right to revel in this historic moment within their legal boundaries. However, the decision to extend these celebrations into Kashmir, a region internationally recognized as disputed, has stirred significant controversy. By doing so, India adopts a stance that lacks the legal and moral authority to justify holding such celebrations in Occupied Kashmir.
The status of Jammu and Kashmir remains a deeply contested issue, and history has shown that its resolution lies in the hands of the people. This can only be achieved through a free and impartial plebiscite, internationally supervised, as agreed upon by both India and Pakistan. The United Nations Security Council, with the strong backing of the United States, Britain, and France, has endorsed this democratic solution. Yet, the promised plebiscite has never materialized, leaving the conflict unresolved and continuing to threaten international peace and security.
The United Nations resolutions aimed to establish a Ceasefire Line to end the conflict and set the stage for a plebiscite, allowing the people of Jammu and Kashmir to decide whether to join India, Pakistan, or become an independent state. However, these UN resolutions remain unimplemented, continuing to pose a threat of nuclear catastrophe.
Kashmir Police Chief V. K. Birdi recently stated that “There is no need for special permission to witness the Independence Day function of 2024 at Bakshi Stadium. Everyone is welcome and the entry is free.” While these words may sound inviting, they sharply contrast with the on-the-ground reality in Srinagar. The city is under a heavy security clampdown, with drones overhead and armed personnel controlling access. This atmosphere of control hardly reflects the spirit of an open celebration that should characterize such an important national occasion, raising questions about the true nature of the festivities in a region marked by tension.
Jammu and Kashmir’s senior government officials maintain that attendance at Indian Prime Minister Modi’s rally at Bakshi Stadium on March 7, 2024, was entirely voluntary. According to their statements, people came out enthusiastically and of their own accord. However, these assertions are challenged by reports from reputable sources. On March 8, 2024, The Hindu reported that former Chief Ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah claimed that government employees and schoolchildren were coerced into attending the rally. Mufti revealed that employees were gathered as early as 5 a.m. in freezing temperatures and transported to the rally venue under duress, undermining the official narrative that all is well post-2019 in Kashmir.
Former chief minister, Omar Abdullah echoed these concerns on social media, tweeting: “Employees, men and women, in their thousands are being asked to assemble between 4:30 AM & 5:30 AM in freezing temperatures to be bused to the venue. This participation isn’t optional, it’s compulsory. Employees who don’t show up are being threatened with disciplinary action by their department heads. Private schools like DPS (Delhi Public School) etc. have had their buses commandeered to transport all these employees to the venue. I have lists running into the 1,000s with department details, addresses & mobile numbers plus transport details.” These allegations paint a troubling picture of forced participation, casting a shadow over the official accounts of the Independence Day events in Srinagar.
Indian Prime Minister Modi’s appearance in Srinagar for the Independence Day celebrations was not an isolated incident. A similar scenario unfolded on June 20, 2024, when he attended an International Yoga Day event in the city of Srinagar. Mehbooba Mufti, once again voicing her dismay, tweeted that what should have been a celebratory occasion had instead filled people with dread. She noted that government employees and schoolchildren were ordered to attend various events at ungodly hours, even in challenging circumstances. In one instance, a pregnant employee was allegedly threatened to choose between her job and attending the event, highlighting the coercive measures used to ensure participation, which raises serious ethical concerns.
At this critical juncture, the international community must act decisively to promote a resolution to the Kashmir conflict. The first step is the demilitarization of Jammu and Kashmir, with a phased withdrawal of troops from both India and Pakistan from their respective controlled areas. This would create a conducive environment for a peaceful and democratic resolution, allowing the people of Jammu and Kashmir to determine their own future.
U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken would do well to remember the words of Ambassador Adlai Stevenson, who addressed the United Nations Security Council on June 15, 1962. Stevenson emphasized that “The larger interest of South Asia’s peace and security require, it seems to us, the prompt settlement of the Kashmir dispute.” Similarly, Ambassador Plimpton of the United States, speaking on May 13, 1964, affirmed that “The United States Government believes that the Security Council has a real obligation to contribute to the creation of as favorable an atmosphere as possible for the prompt and peaceful resolution of the Kashmir problem.” These historical perspectives underscore the urgency of resolving the Kashmir issue, not just for the peace and stability of India and Pakistan, but for the entire region of South Asia and beyond. It is imperative that India, Pakistan, and the accredited leadership of Jammu and Kashmir engage in meaningful dialogue to achieve a lasting and just resolution of Kashmir dispute.
-Dr Fai is Chairman of World Forum for Peace and Justice
Chairman
