Standing with Kashmir

Javed Butt

Rabi' al-Awwal 04, 1441 2019-11-01

Letters To The Editor

by Javed Butt (Letters To The Editor, Crescent International Vol. 48, No. 9, Rabi' al-Awwal, 1441)

The 8 million people of Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir are subjected terrible suffering. India maintains a colonial army exceeding 900,000 in Kashmir. Why would a country whose government claims all is well in Kashmir and that there is peace maintain such a massive military presence? And why does India not lift 24/7 curfew if the Kashmiris are happy with the brutal occupation? The fact is almost all Kashmiris hate India and wish to have nothing to do with it. This applies even to those who in the past had aligned with Delhi for political benefit and power. The fascist regime of Narendra Modi has kicked even those people in the teeth — they now express remorse at being used by successive Indian rulers.

The Kashmiris’ suffering places a huge responsibility on all people of conscience, especially in the West, to raise their voices in support of their Kashmiri brothers and sisters. This should include participating in rallies to highlight the Kashmiris’ plight and expose India’s ugly face to the world. It must also include boycott of Indian goods. Additionally, there should be fundraising efforts to alleviate the terrible suffering of the Kashmiris. We do not even know how people are coping with the curfew imposed since August 5. One can only guess what they must be going through.

Javed Butt
Asper, CO, US