Punishing Kashmiris For Hoisting Third-Country Flag

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Human rights activists worldwide are facing a new legal question in Kashmir: If Kashmiris raise the national flag of another country, say Pakistan, during peaceful protests, can India’s occupation administration try them under Indian national laws on sedition?
Recently we saw few incidents in Indian Occupied Kashmir where hoisting of National flag of Pakistan caused trouble to the administration & Government of India. Firstly Indian police registered an FIR against Jammu and Kashmir leader Asiya Andrabi for unfurling Pakistan flag on its national day in Srinagar and now Masrat Alam has been arrested in the case registered in police, connection with the provocative actions during the rally where Alam hoisted the National Flag of Pakistan.

If we look into the recent history of Indian Occupied Kashmir, hoisting of Pakistani flags is not new, whenever Kashmiris get a chance and whenever they have to show their love towards Pakistan and express their hatred against India, Kashmir turns Green. Hoisting of Pakistani flag has not just been seen during the political rallies in Kashmir, but Pakistani flags get hoisted on 14th of August (Independence Day of Pakistan), 23rd March (National Day of Pakistan) and during every Match Pakistan play or wins against India. Those wearing green shirts during the Cricket world cup were not any political workers, they are common Kashmiri youth. Those Kashmiri students expelled from their university and threatened with sedition charges because they cheered for the Pakistani cricket team during a televised match against India, are the new generation representing the sentiments of Kashmiri youth.

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Killing Kashmiri Youth During Peaceful Protests

Killing Kashmiri Youth During Peaceful Protests

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Unarmed Kashmiris who choose the option of peaceful protest to demand political rights face extra-judicial killings, illegal detentions and house arrests, gang rapes, student expulsions and beatings at Indian colleges, targeted killings of young men, and enforced disappearances by Indian occupation forces.
On 21st May 2015, 16-year-old Hamid Nazir Bhat casually took part in a peaceful protest against Indian military presence in Raipora Palhalan, District Baramula. The activity included sloganeering and carrying placards.

What was the Indian occupation police response?
Here is the report of The Hindu, one of India’s largest daily newspapers, posted on 25th May 2015, and titled, ‘Police Pellets Blind a Kashmir Teen’:

“Hamid Nazir Bhat, 16, has lost vision in his right eye pierced by pellets, and nearly a hundred of these tiny iron balls have pierced his skull, jaws, lips, nose, and brain. The police fired them during a protest in his village, Palhalan, in north Kashmir on Thursday.”

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Impunity continues in Kashmir

Impunity Continues In Kashmir

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The first six months of the year 2015 prove to be disastrous for the civil rights of nearly thirteen million Kashmiris living under Indian rule in Jammu and Kashmir. The territory remains at the center of an international dispute for the 67th year, with close to two dozen United Nations resolutions waiting implementation, and more than half-million Indian soldiers deployed in one of the most militarized zones in the world.
While awareness and civil rights improve worldwide thanks to education and technology, Kashmir is seeing backward march as India tries to dampen Kashmiri demands for freedom and end to military occupation. New Delhi’s choice methods to do are to restrict education options for young Kashmiris, and to impose censorship on electronic and social media.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is hailed as a business-friendly leader, though his country remains to stall opening up in trade negotiations with Europe, United States and China. He was elected in a one of the largest electoral exercises in the world, in terms of the overall number of voters in densely populated India. But this has not translated into more civil rights for Kashmiris who live under Indian control.

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