On August 5, 2019, the Indian government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, unilaterally revoked Articles 370 and 35A of its Constitution, stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its special autonomous status.
This decision, in violation of United Nations resolutions, the Indian Constitution, and agreements with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, marked a significant turning point for the region. Today, six years later, protests and demonstrations continue around the world to observe “Kashmir Exploitation Day” in opposition to these events.
The region of Jammu and Kashmir, comprising 58% Ladakh, 26% Jammu, and 16% the Kashmir Valley, has long faced disputes and conflict. Post the revocation, the human and economic toll has been staggering. According to reports from the Kashmir Media Service, over 21,000 Kashmiris have been imprisoned, and more than 1,100 properties have been destroyed since 2019.
India’s actions, including the abrogation of Article 370 and the introduction of new domicile and property laws, have been seen as blatant attempts to alter the region’s Muslim-majority identity. The allocation of over 50 lakh (5 million) domicile certificates to Hindus and alterations to constituency boundaries to favor non-Muslim populations provide evidence of this systematic attempt to change demographics.
Additionally, approximately 56,000 acres of land in the region have been taken over by Indian armed forces. The aim to create Hindu-majority areas, including new proposed divisions comprising Kishtwar, Anantnag, and Kulgam, underscores these demographic engineering tactics.
The Fourth Geneva Convention’s Article 49 explicitly prohibits such actions, making these changes violations of international law. These measures reflect political and social strategies that undermine the rights and heritage of the Kashmiri people.
Furthermore, changes to laws such as the Jammu and Kashmir Development Act, the Control of Building Operations Act, and the Forest Rights Act are part of plans to marginalize the region’s Muslim-majority population. Language and cultural shifts under the Jammu and Kashmir Language Bill also signal efforts to erode local Muslim identity.
With over 800,000 Indian soldiers stationed in the region, Kashmir remains one of the most militarized zones in the world. The region has become a flashpoint of immense human rights challenges and a symbol of the Kashmiri people’s ongoing struggle for justice and self-determination.
Six years later, the world is still witnessing the fallout from these actions. The Kashmiri community demands that their rights be restored, their cultural identity preserved, and global attention brought to these pressing issues.
