Kashmiri delegation in Geneva raises HR concerns, environmental impact of militarized Amarnath Yatra
Geneva: A delegation, representing the people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir concluded a series of meetings in Geneva with leading human rights activists and United Nations experts, bringing to light the deteriorating human rights situation in occupied Kashmir and the detrimental impacts of the increasingly militarized Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the delegation detailed how the annual Amarnath Yatra, traditionally welcomed by the Kashmiri Muslim community, has been increasingly exploited by the Indian government as a tool to advance a religious agenda, leading to significant socio-economic and environmental consequences for the region.
The delegation highlighted the heavy militarization surrounding the Yatra, which effectively turns the Kashmir Valley into a security zone, restricting the movement of local residents, disrupting essential services like healthcare and education, and infringing upon fundamental human rights. They presented evidence of increased surveillance, frequent identity checks, and intrusive searches impacting the civilian population.
“Kashmiri Muslims have always extended hospitality to Yatris and respected their religious practices,”“However, in recent years, the Yatra has been transformed into a vehicle for furthering a Hindutva agenda, resulting in widespread disruption to our daily lives, economic hardship, and severe ecological damage.”
“The scale of the security apparatus deployed during the Yatra is disproportionate and creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation,” the delegation added. “Our people are treated as suspects in their own land.”
Furthermore, the delegation expressed deep concern regarding the environmental impact of the Yatra. They presented reports detailing the significant increase in pollution, deforestation, and glacial melt due to the influx of large numbers of pilgrims and the associated infrastructure development.
Experts warn that unchecked expansion of the Yatra poses a serious threat to the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. Specifically, they cited reports indicating the generation of 30-40 tons of waste daily during the Yatra, with no effective waste management system in place, leading to contamination of forests, rivers, and local wildlife. Increased human activity near glaciers is also contributing to rising temperatures, threatening the long-term viability of this sacred site.
The delegation emphasized that the current approach to the Yatra was not only a violation of human rights but also a deliberate attempt to alter the demographic and cultural identity of Jammu and Kashmir. They urged the international community to intervene and hold the Indian government accountable for its actions.
The delegation members included Ghulam Muhammad Safi, Altaf Hussain Wani , Syed Faiz Naqashbandi, Sardar Amjad Yousaf, Ms Shamim Shawl, Dr Saira Shah , Ms Naila Altaf Kayani and Ms Mehru Nisa.
