ISLAMABAD: Senior Hurriyat leader and vice chairman of Jammu Kashmir National Front (JKNF), Altaf Hussain Wani, strongly denounced the Indian authorities’ decision to declare the National Front as an unlawful association. Terming this move as a flagrant violation of political and democratic rights, Mr. Wani emphasized that outlawing political parties reflects India’s disregard for democracy and freedom of expression.
He reiterated that the Jammu Kashmir National Front is a political association advocating for the rights and dignity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, as enshrined in UN resolutions. Mr. Wani rejected India’s contention, asserting that the Front has consistently pursued peaceful means to raise awareness about resolving the Kashmir dispute through dialogue and diplomacy.
Despite the continued and illegal detention of the party chairman, Nayeem Ahmed Khan, Mr. Wani highlighted Khan’s commitment to peaceful means in challenging his detention. He emphasized that Khan’s lifelong advocacy for a peaceful settlement of the dispute attests to his dedication, and his only “crime” is refusing to comply with Indian government directives.
Mr. Wani cautioned that resorting to colonial-era tactics will not deter Kashmiris from their pursuit of self-determination and freedom. He underlined that Kashmiris do not recognize the Indian constitution and reject its application in Kashmir, which remains an internationally recognized disputed territory.
In urging the global community to take effective action, Mr. Wani emphasized that banning legitimate political voices in Kashmir reflects the rising authoritarianism within the BJP government. He stressed the need for international recognition of Kashmir’s plight and condemned attempts to stifle dissent in the region.
