\u2018Iron-fisted approach\u2019
\nIndian govt\u2019s decision shows \u201csheer disregard of democratic norms and international human rights law,\u201d says FO
\n Islamabad
\nPakistan on Wednesday denounced the ban on two Kashmir organisations for a period of five years imposed by the Indian authorities in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
\nIndia has banned two political groups in the IIOJK it accused of promoting secessionism in the disputed Muslim-majority region, including one headed by the occupied territory\u2019s leading religious cleric.
\nAn order issued late on Tuesday by India\u2019s home ministry declared the Awami Action Committee (AAC) an unlawful association under the country\u2019s stringent anti-terror laws, banning it for five years.
\nIt said the party\u2019s activities were \u201cprejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty and security\u201d of India and accused its members of \u201csupporting terrorist activities and anti-India propaganda for fuelling secessionism\u201d.
\nA separate ministry notification announced the five-year ban of the Jammu and Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen (JKIM).
\nThe JKIM was founded by another notable political and religious leader, Maulana Mohammad Abbas Ansari, who headed it till his demise in 2022.
\nIt accused the group of \u201csheer disrespect towards the constitutional authority\u201d and promoting Kashmir\u2019s \u201csecession\u201d from India.
\n\u201cThe recent decision increases the total number of outlawed Kashmiri political parties and organisations to 16,\u201d Pakistan\u2019s Foreign Office said in a statement issued today.
\n\u201cBanning of different political parties and organisations is yet another manifestation of the Indian authorities\u2019 iron-fisted approach in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
\n\u201cIt reflects a desire to suppress the political activities and stifle dissent. It also shows sheer disregard of democratic norms and international human rights law.\u201d
\nIslamabad urged New Delhi to \u201cremove the curbs on the Kashmiri political parties; release all the political prisoners; and faithfully implement the UN Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir\u201d.
\nIndia has banned 10 political groups in the region since Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi\u2019s government imposed direct rule on the occupied region in 2019, cancelling its constitutionally guaranteed semi-autonomy.
\nCritics and residents say that civil liberties have been drastically curtailed in the years since.
\nAmit Shah, India\u2019s powerful interior minister, trumpeted the ban on social media and warned that those \u201cinvolved in activities against the nation\u201d would face the \u201ccrushing blow\u201d of Modi\u2019s government.
\nThe AAC, led by cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, was formed in 1964 in the aftermath of a huge campaign for Kashmir\u2019s right to self-determination. It has never participated in periodic elections held in the region.
\nFarooq said the ban was a \u201ccontinuation of the policy of intimidation and disempowerment\u201d he accused Indian authorities of implementing in the IIOJK in 2019.
\n\u201cThe voice of truth may be suppressed through force but will not be silenced,\u201d he wrote in a post on social media platform X.
\nPoliticians from IIOJK\u2019s pro-India political parties also criticised the ban in a rare act of solidarity with the group.
\nMehbooba Mufti, president of the People\u2019s Democratic Party, warned that \u201csuppressing dissent will only deepen tensions\u201d.
\nResistance groups have waged a decades-long campaign in IIOJK demanding either independence or a merger with Pakistan.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u2018Iron-fisted approach\u2019 Indian govt\u2019s decision shows \u201csheer disregard of democratic norms and international human rights law,\u201d says FO Islamabad Pakistan on Wednesday denounced the ban on two Kashmir organisations for a period of five years imposed by the Indian authorities in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). India has banned two political groups […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":466755,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-466739","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n