Repression of Kashmiri youth for Palestine
We hereby publish a statement we received via email:
CASR STRONGLY CONDEMNS THE SLAPPING OF UAPA AGAINST KASHMIRI YOUTH FOR RAISING PRO PALESTINE SLOGANS AT A MUHARRAM PROCESSION IN SRINAGAR AND THE ARREST OF ADVOCATE MOHAMMED ASHRAF BHAT
The Jammu and Kashmir police invoked UAPA Against 4 Kashmiri youth during the Muharram processions in Srinagar when they raised Pro Palestine slogans. This act of the Indian state where it is using UAPA against dissenters who raise their voice in support of the oppressed and exploited is a clear indication that there is no free speech existing under the current Hindutva Fascist regime. The labeling of Muslims as terrorists and the red tagging of anyone who is speaking truth to power in India, is a very dangerous threat to the Right to free speech and expression. Not only in Kashmir but across India FIR’s are registered against Pro Palestine protesters by the fascist state to criminalize dissent. This is not just restricted to states where the ruling party is in power but also in states were the opposition parties are in power. All over the world massive protest are going on,but the Indian state is terrorising peaceful protesters at the behest of genocidal Israeli regime.This is a clear message given by the Indian state to its own people that if they oppose Israeil genocide in Palestine they will be labelled anti national and a threat to the Indian state.
In Kashmir especially, all kinds of dissenting voices are considered as terrorist and separatist activity. Last 23 days 4 advocates and former office bearers in Jammu Kashmir High court bar association were arrested under Public Safety act (PSA) because they fought a legal battle in court regarding oppression happening in Kashmir and armed forces atrocity in the name of wiping out terrorism. The crackdown on lawyers in Kashmir is so that the Indian state can ensure a complete absence of lawyers who fight for democratic rights in the country. Right to free speech and expression is the constitutional right of people; no one can take that away.
Campaign Against State Repression demands the immediate release of all Kashmiri youth and revocation of UAPA. We also demand the release of advocate Mohammad Asharf Bhat arrested Tuesday night. We also urge democratic rights organizations and Bar councils to oppose the crackdown happening on Kashmiri youth and lawyers who represent persecuted people in courts.
Campaign Against State Repression
(AIRSO, AISA, AISF, APCR, BASF, BSM, Bhim Army, bsCEM, CEM, CRPP, CTF, DISSC, DSU, DTF, Forum Against Repression Telangana, Fraternity, IAPL, Innocence Network, Karnataka Janashakti, LAA, Mazdoor Adhikar Sangathan, Mazdoor Patrika, NAPM, Nishant Natya Manch, Nowruz, NTUI, People’s Watch, Rihai Manch, Samajwadi Janparishad,Samajwadi lok manch, Bahujan Samajvadi Manch, SFI, United Against Hate, United Peace Alliance, WSS,Y4S)
