Raies Mir
In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the BJP regime has installed a Facial Recognition System (FRS) along the Pahalgam route of the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, in what observers call a blatant violation of the privacy and rights of the local population. While the authorities claim it is for security, critics argue the technology is being weaponized to monitor, intimidate, and control residents under military occupation.
Locals say the system is not only invasive but further delays civilian movement and adds to the oppressive surveillance architecture already in place. The FRS scans and analyses facial features from video feeds to identify individuals from a centralized database — raising fears of mass data harvesting without consent or oversight. A similar system is also being installed on the Baltal route ahead of the Indian Hindu Yatra, which begins on July 3 and ends on August 9.
The Amarnath cave shrine in occupied Kashmir is located at an altitude of about 3,880 meters.
Facial Recognition Surveillance
• The Indian government has installed FRS systems on the Pahalgam route, citing the need for real-time alerts in case any “blacklisted” individual is detected.
• Locals fear this surveillance goes beyond pilgrim security and is being used to monitor and intimidate ordinary Kashmiris, compromising their privacy and freedom of movement.
Hindutva and Religious Mobilization
• For the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and other Hindutva-aligned groups, turned this Hindu Amernath Yatra more than a religious journey and assertion, particularly in a Muslim-majority region.
• This is seen by observers and locals as an attempt to reinforce Hindu presence and identity in Kashmir, countering Kashmiris freedom sentiments. They argue that the degree of government facilitation for Amarnath Yatra risks blurring the line between secular administration and religious endorsement.
Religious Disparity in State Support
• The Amarnath Yatra receives overwhelming logistical, financial, and administrative support, including:
o Free travel, accommodation, and food for pilgrims.
o Full-scale deployment of Indian forces personnle.
o Controlled access across major routes and towns.
• In contrast, Muslim religious events in IIOJK such as Eid, Muharram, and Eid Milad-un-Nabi routinely face:
o Heavy restrictions in places like Jamia Masjid and Eidgah Srinagar.
o Severe curbs on gatherings, movement, and processions.
o Limited or no government facilitation or logistical support.
Impact on Daily Life of Kashmiris
• From mid-June to August, the Indian Hindu Yatra disrupts civilian life with:
o Checkpoints and roadblocks along key routes like Banihal–Srinagar, Kulgam–Islamabad, and Ganderbal.
o Daily delays in travel, disruptions to trade, and obstruction of local activities.
o Increased presence of armed forces in towns and residential areas.
Political Narrative and Hindutva Agenda
• Critics argue the Indian Hindu Yatra has become a political tool post-Article 370 /35A abrogation, used to:
o Advance the Hindutva agenda and normalize the occupation of a Muslim-majority region.
o Project symbolic ownership under the “Akhand Bharat” narrative.
o Reframe Kashmir’s identity through religious tourism and demographic manipulation.
Broader Context and Legal Dimensions
Security Justification
• Authorities justify increased militarization and surveillance by citing past attacks on pilgrims.
• However, human rights defenders say this is being misused to justify mass surveillance and profiling.
Freedom of Religion
• Article 25 of the Indian Constitution and international covenants prohibit religious discrimination.
• Selective support and suppression suggest state bias, which violates India’s own constitutional framework.
Surveillance Concerns
• Deployment of FRS without safeguards violates the Right to Privacy (Article 21) under Indian law.
• The DPDP Act and international privacy standards call for accountability, consent, and proportionality — none of which are evident in Kashmir’s context.
Amarnath Yatra – State Support vs Political Symbolism
• The Yatra, a significant Hindu Indian pilgrimage, receives full state patronage:
o Run by religious trusts with BJP political backing.
o Security, food, transport, and medical aid are fully subsidized.
o The government provides extensive support, including roads, temporary shelters, medical camps, and helicopter services.
• Critics say:
o It is being used to assert political dominance rather than simply promote religious freedom.
o Massive footfall and construction strain local infrastructure and ecology. The environmental and demographic concerns are also raised, especially regarding the influx of pilgrims and associated infrastructure development in ecologically.
The Lidder River and other streams near the route risk contamination from human activities, alaways threatening downstream ecosystems and local communities.
Temporary facilities like makeshift tents, toilets, and kitchens are often insufficient for the huge influx, causing sanitation issues.
The military presence and surveillance along the Pahalgam route in Kashmir, which has been a significant point of concern for the local population. The situation in Kashmir, especially in areas like Pahalgam, has been tense for many years due to the complex political, social, and security dynamics. The presence of forces like the FRC (Forward Reaction Center) can indeed contribute to a sense of fear and increased scrutiny among local residents.
Many people in Kashmir have expressed that the continuous military presence not only restricts their daily activities but also creates an atmosphere of uncertainty and anxiety. Surveillance measures can often lead to a loss of personal freedom, and for people who have lived through years of conflict, it can exacerbate feelings of mistrust, alienation, and trauma.
For Kashmiris, life has often involved balancing the need for security with the desire for autonomy, and the constant surveillance only deepens the feeling of being monitored or controlled.
