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Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson says curfew in IOK violation of human rights

Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson says curfew in IOK violation of human rights
September 14, 2019
WASHINGTON (92 News) – Prof Rajmohan Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, has rejected Indian occupation of Kashmir, saying that continuous curfew in Occupied Valley is sheer violation of human rights. Addressing a rally in Illinois on Friday, he demanded that international powers should pressurize the Modi government for plebiscite in Occupied Kashmir. “Kashmiris cannot be forcibly made Indian citizens. Whatever is happening in Kashmir is not possible in the country of Gandhi. The government policies will increase rifts and disarray in the society,” he said. Speaking on the occasion, Kashmir Solidarity Council chairman Javed Rathore said that India had turned Kashmir into a big jail. A large number of university professors and foreign students participated in the ceremony. The participants chanted slogans against violations of human rights in India and in favor of Kashmiris’ right to self-determination. Meanwhile, US Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib has strongly condemned the Indian goverment's revocation of Articles 370 and 35 A in Occupied Kashmir and the subsequent communication blockage and human rights violations there. In a statement, she said that these unacceptable actions strip Kashmiris of their human dignity and put millions of people in danger. The US Congresswoman said that Jammu and Kashmir is already one of the most militarized regions on earth, and India’s recent actions create more instability and heighten the potential for accelerating violence. Rashida Tlaib said that she has met with residents in Michigan who cannot even call their families in Kashmir to ensure they are safe. “This is a truly unimaginable situation as violence, militarization and occupation continues,” she said. Voicing serious concerns over the situation in Occupied Kashmir including shortages of medicines and use of force against innocent Kashmiris, she demanded the communications blockade and all curfew restrictions must be lifted immediately to shed light on what is happening in Jammu and Kashmir. Rashida Tlaib also demanded the US government to support a United Nations-backed peaceful resolution that restores autonomy and ensures self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “We cannot lose sight of the millions of Kashmiri people yearning to live in peace and dignity,” she added.