Altaf Wani urges UN to address cultural, religious repression in IIOJK
Islamabad: Altaf Hussain Wani, Chairman of Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR), has appealed to the United Nations to intervene and address the ongoing cultural and religious repression faced by the people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu Kashmir.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the appeal, directed to Nazila Ghanea, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, highlights the severe human rights violations and cultural erasure in Kashmir since India’s military occupation. Since 1989, over 96,000 people have been killed, including 7,369 custodial deaths, while more than 172,000 civilians have been arrested. The destruction of over 110,000 structures and the widespread displacement of families have further exacerbated the crisis.
Wani’s appeal also draws attention to the use of draconian laws like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and the Public Safety Act (PSA), which have allowed Indian authorities to operate with impunity, silencing political dissent and stifling peaceful protests. The imposition of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) has resulted in the unjust detention and labeling of political activists as terrorists.
The appeal emphasizes the alarming impact on Kashmir’s cultural and religious identity, citing the recent removal of important historical and cultural content from educational syllabi, particularly the exclusion of Shaikh Noor Ud Din Wali (RA), a revered spiritual leader and a symbol of Kashmir’s rich heritage. Wani condemns this as part of a broader effort to impose a homogenized narrative aligned with Hindutva ideologies, which threatens the region’s distinct identity.
Wani called upon the international community to recognize the urgency of the situation and to advocate for an inclusive educational framework that respects the cultural and religious rights of the Kashmiri people. He stresses that the right to education, which preserves cultural and religious identities, is crucial to fostering tolerance and understanding.
He urged the United Nations and other global bodies to take immediate action to protect Kashmir’s unique cultural heritage and religious freedoms, warning that the ongoing repression risks erasing the region’s rich cultural tapestry.
