Seven years on, political activity and democratic space shrinking in IIOJK: Tarigami
Srinagar: Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) leader and Member of Legislative Assembly in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, has strongly criticized the BJP-led Indian government over its August 5, 2019 actions, saying that political activity and democratic expression in the occupied territory continue to face severe restrictions seven years later.
According to Kashmir Media Service, in a post on X, Tarigami described the August 2019 constitutional changes as a systematic assault on IIOJK’s relationship with India and said New Delhi had continued to shrink the space for dissent and political expression.
He also criticized the delay in restoring full statehood to the occupied territory, saying the BJP government had not accepted the mandate delivered by the people in the 2024 Assembly elections.
“Despite repeatedly promising the restoration of statehood, it has failed to deliver,” Tarigami said, adding that the authorities were using strong-arm methods to suppress dissent and press freedom in IIOJK.
He maintained that restrictions on political activities and media freedom continue unabated in Jammu and Kashmir.
