New Indian domicile law ‘constitutional terrorism’: GPKSC

LONDON: The Global Pakistan and Kashmir Supreme Council (GPKSC) leadership “strongly condemns and strongly opposes” the Indian government’s new domicile law passed in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir and described it as “constitutional terrorism”.

According to a press release, GPKSC Chairman Raja Sikander Khan, President Kala Khan and the body’s office bearers urged the Indian government and its home ministry to reconsider and withdraw the law immediately, as it is taking away the rights of the Kashmiri people.

They say the law is a method of snatching job opportunities from educated and unemployed youths of Jammu and Kashmir, as well as allowing non-Kashmiris to buy land, properties and settling in disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The GPKSC leadership also deplored the law will deprive the rights of the “initial citizens of Jammu and Kashmir”. “All this is against the wishes of the Kashmiri people by means of demographical change.” The press release adds: “In fact, it’s constitutional terrorism and is against international laws, as well as humanitarian laws including the treaties and conventions which India is signatory to.”

Furthermore, the statement states the other laws which have been amended are also “not with the will and expectation” of the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir and should also be reconsidered and withdrawn.

The GPKSC strongly demands for the restoration of occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s “status of 103 years and restore the Article 370 and 35A”. “We urge the international community, the United Nations, the human rights organisations and especially the so-called the ‘champions of human rights’ to please intervene at this crucial time when the world is busy tackling the crisis of Covid-19.”

The statement adds the BJP’s “fascist government is shamefully continuing unlawful actions by means of demographic changes in Indian-occupied Kashmir especially in these difficult times when the world is continually fighting this coronavirus”.

The body lamented that despite global threat of Covid-19, Kashmiri leaders and thousands of youths are in various jails all over India in very poor conditions, “without any access to World Health Organisation or any human rights organisations”. The GPKSC “stands committed at this very difficult and crucial time with our Kashmiri brothers and sisters in Indian-occupied Kashmir with their freedom struggle and we will continue supporting their cause and seeking justice until they are given their fundamental birthright of self determination”.