Ashraf Sahrai’s Legacy Lives On: Commemorating His Life and Struggle
Islamabad: Ashraf Sahrai was a prominent Kashmiri separatist leader and activist who advocated for the independence of Jammu and Kashmir. He was born in the Kupwara region of IIOJK in 1944. For his political activities in the support of Kashmiri Freedom Movement, Sahrai served several years in prison. He is renowned for his constant backing of Kashmir’s independence.
After the death of the previous chairman of the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat party, he assumed the leadership of the pro-independence political group in 2018. Additionally, he belonged to the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, a grouping of Jammu and Kashmir’s separatist political parties.
Sahrai is a symbol of unparalleled bravery and Freedom. He is well known for his constant dedication to the cause of Kashmir’s independence throughout his political career. He vociferously opposed Indian colonial control in the area and demanded that the Kashmiri people be granted the right to self-determination.
Indian officials detained Sahrai in March 2021 under their draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. He was sent to the Udhampur jail in IIOJK, where he resided until he was martyred on May 5, 2021, but according to the reports of Indian Media, he had COVID-19 when he was being held, and in the days before his death, his health had drastically declined. However, the fact is that the Indian government neglected his health and neglected to give him the medical attention he needed. Many people took to the streets in Jammu and Kashmir to protest Sahrai’s martyrs and expressed their outrage and grief.
The passing of Sahrai is more than just a heartbreaking loss of life; it also serves as a reminder of the Kashmiri people’s continued battle against Indian oppression. His passing serves as a memorial to the innumerable Kashmiris who have perished in the struggle and a request to us to keep up our support for the Kashmiri cause. The martyrdom of Sahrai is proof that India is still violating human rights in the area, and the international community needs to act more forcefully to hold India responsible.
At last, Ashraf Sahrai was a well-known Kashmiri separatist leader who dedicated his life to the cause of freeing Jammu and Kashmir from Indian illegal rule. Sahrai was a martyr who gave his life in sacrificial service to the Kashmiri cause.
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