SRINAGAR, Occupied Kashmir: Fahd Shah, the editor of the Kashmir Walla, one of the last independent news websites in Indian illegally-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, recently emerged from a harrowing 21-month ordeal that brought to light India’s deployment of anti-terror laws to stifle dissent and critical journalism.
In February last year, Shah, a prominent figure in Kashmiri media, was arrested on charges of “glorifying terrorism” and publishing “anti-national content.” His case quickly gained international attention, becoming emblematic of the challenges faced by journalists critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies in the tumultuous region.
The Kashmir Walla had been one of the few news platforms in the region still daring to publish critical news and investigations about human rights abuses amid an ongoing crackdown on independent media. Shah, an occasional contributor to The Guardian, found himself at the forefront of the Indian government’s efforts to control the narrative in the aftermath of the revocation of Kashmir’s statehood and the subsequent communications blackout imposed in August 2019.
Shah’s arrest marked the beginning of a relentless legal saga. Granted bail in one case, he was swiftly re-arrested and faced new, more draconian charges. Although the charges against him were gradually quashed, it wasn’t until last month that he was finally granted relief by the courts. The lack of evidence to support terrorism-related charges resulted in Shah’s release on bail on November 23.
During his time behind bars, Shah endured a grueling experience that included being moved between different jails and facing months of interrogation. At one point, he spent 20 days in solitary confinement in a cramped 6 ft-by-6 ft cell, cut off from the outside world. The harsh conditions took a toll on his physical and mental well-being, leading to hallucinations and a state of deep despair.
Despite facing adversity, Shah continued to symbolize resilience. His publication, the Kashmir Walla, persisted in its critical reporting even when its website was unilaterally blocked, and its office shut down without warning in August. The Indian government’s systematic efforts to suppress independent journalism in the region, including the blacklisting of journalists, imposing strict regulations, and cutting off revenue sources, have cast a shadow over press freedom.
Kunal Majumder, the Committee to Protect Journalists’ India representative, highlighted the challenges faced by journalists in Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing the need for authorities to cease criminalizing journalists and tolerate critical and dissenting voices.
Shah’s release from custody has brought relief, but the scars of his incarceration remain. Speaking from his home in Srinagar, Shah, although frail and drawn, expressed gratitude for the support he received from his family and colleagues. Despite the closure of his publication, he remains committed to continuing his work as a journalist in Kashmir, albeit with a changed perspective shaped by his time behind bars.
The broader context reveals a concerning pattern of suppressing free speech and independent journalism in the region. Shah’s ordeal exemplifies the challenges faced by those who dare to question the status quo, highlighting the urgent need for international attention to safeguard press freedom and human rights in Indian-administered Kashmir.
