Kashmir: A Struggle for Self-Determination Amidst Suppression

A perspective rooted in justice and the right to self-determination.

Muhammad Kashif

The region of Jammu and Kashmir, long recognized as a disputed territory under international law, remains embroiled in a deep political and humanitarian crisis. As the world becomes increasingly vocal about human rights and democracy, the Kashmiri people continue to face suppression under Indian occupation, their aspirations silenced, and their identity challenged.

Since the unilateral abrogation of Article 370 by the Indian government in August 2019, which revoked the limited autonomy previously granted to Jammu and Kashmir, the region has seen a sharp decline in democratic space. The decision was made without the consent of the Kashmiri people or their representatives—a blatant violation of both Indian constitutional principles and the promises made under UN resolutions.

The region has since been downgraded to a union territory and subjected to direct rule from New Delhi. Elected Kashmiri voices have been marginalized, and political dissent is routinely met with house arrests and detentions. The recent local elections in 2024 were held under heavy military presence, with pro-India parties dominating a fractured, demoralized political landscape. However, the true representatives of Kashmiri sentiment—those demanding azadi (freedom)—remain silenced.

India’s actions in Kashmir stand in stark contradiction to international law. United Nations Security Council Resolutions 47, 51, and others clearly call for a plebiscite to determine the will of the Kashmiri people. India’s refusal to honor these resolutions and its attempts to unilaterally alter the region’s legal status have undermined its credibility on the global stage.

Pakistan, on the other hand, continues to advocate for the legal and moral right of Kashmiris to self-determination. By keeping the issue alive in international forums, Islamabad has maintained that peace in South Asia is impossible without a just resolution to the Kashmir dispute, rooted in the will of the people.

Life for ordinary Kashmiris in Indian-occupied Kashmir (IoK) has become increasingly difficult. The region remains one of the most militarized zones in the world, with nearly one soldier for every 11 civilians. This heavy-handed presence has led to widespread human rights violations including arbitrary detentions, communication blackouts, torture, and even extrajudicial killings.

The introduction of new domicile laws since 2020 has sparked fears of demographic engineering—an attempt by India to alter the Muslim-majority character of the region. Outsiders are being granted residency and land rights, creating deep anxiety among Kashmiris about their cultural and demographic future.

Contrary to the Indian narrative, Pakistan-administered regions such as Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan enjoy relative peace and autonomy. These areas, while not free from challenges, have functioning political systems, freedom of expression, and increasing investment in education and infrastructure. Importantly, their populations are not subject to the same levels of surveillance, oppression, or militarization as their brethren across the Line of Control.

Pakistan continues to urge the international community to act—not just in words, but in deeds. The silence of global powers emboldens oppression. If democracy, justice, and human rights are to mean anything, then the voices of the Kashmiri people must be heard, and their right to choose their destiny respected.

It is not merely a territorial dispute—it is a human issue. The people of Kashmir have waited for over seven decades. The world must not make them wait another.