9th Muharram procession taken out in IIOJK despite curfew

SRINAGAR (92 News) - The 9th Muharram procession was taken out in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) despite curfew.

The Indian army stormed the procession and arrested dozens of Kashmiris. The army officers tried to run over a youth. The mobile and internet service was suspended in the Occupied Valley.

Meanwhile, Pakistan strongly condemns these curbs on Kashmiri Muslims to practice their faith and restraining them from congregating on special religious occasions.

As Pakistan has repeatedly underlined, imposition of restrictions on Muharram processions represents complete disrespect and deep-rooted prejudice by the Indian government for the sentiments of the Muslims in IIOJK. It is also a flagrant violation of Kashmiris’ fundamental right of freedom of religion.

Denying the Kashmiri Muslims their right to worship and to carry out these processions peacefully is yet another illustration of India’s ongoing assault on religious freedoms of minorities, especially Muslims, in IIOJK and in India. It is also reflective of the ‘Hindutva’ driven majoritarian mindset of the BJP-RSS dispensation.

Pakistan calls upon the international community, the United Nations, and other human rights and humanitarian organisations to hold India to account for its suppression of religious rights and freedoms of the Kashmiri people in violation of international law and conventions.