Kashmir issue, a territorial conflict between India and Pakistan has been a major bone of contention from the day of its partition. The Kashmir issue resulted in three wars between India and Pakistan, and due to severely rigid diplomacy, the Kashmir issue attracted international and regional attention to it. India and Pakistan claim Kashmir in full but rule it in part due to which the region has remained a source of tension since the partition.

What’s Happening In Kashmir?

Islam is the major religion in Kashmir...

Millions of Muslims in this territory are under strict curfew and a wide-ranging communications blackout and their voices are almost completely silenced.

About 97.16% of the region's population is Muslim Community which is the major cause of this conflict. Since the partition of the subcontinent into India and Pakistan in 1947, Muslims in Kashmir are fighting for freedom and India cannot stop this freedom movement through atrocities, as Kashmir is not just an issue of freedom, it is intricacy of humanity and human rights.

India claims the whole Kashmir based on an instrument of accession signed in 1947 and Pakistan claims Kashmir because of the majority Muslim population and the difficulties Kashmiris are facing in pursuing Islam. India has committed many human rights injustices and acts of terror against the Kashmiri Muslims including extrajudicial killing, rape, and torture through armed forces.

 Instead of leading a peaceful life’s, families were facing;

•      Strict curfews

•      Lockdowns

•      The shutdown of the internet and telephone lines.

What can we do?

Our Aim at Global Humanitarian Photojournalism is to become the voices of Kashmiris as we have access to the internet and it’s our responsibility to amplify their voices throughout the world because only the people of Kashmir have the right to decide their future.

It is not just the India-Pakistan issue, it’s the responsibility of all nations, and we must speak out against the atrocities and demand a fair settlement of the issue.

We need to stand together to withdraw the armed forces from this region to bring about this humanitarian crisis and lift all restrictions on freedom of “Kashmiri Muslims”.                                                                                                                            We need to commit for their freedom as Kashmiris have the right to freedom of movement, self-governance, and demilitarization of their region.

Save Kashmir to Save Humanity...

Writing by Javeria Tariq/GHPJ