Since Independence Day, Kashmir has been subjected to a lot of propaganda and misinformation spread by elements of the Indian government, security agencies and private institutes with the help of print media and television. Since the inception of new independent India, the role of Jammu and Kashmir in internal affairs has always been ignored by the Indian government and media as well as non-governmental organizations working in the state. However, this has changed completely over the past one decade. Recently, a research study by prominent private organization published by Pricewaterhouse Coopers and Oxford University Press has confirmed that the infiltration of international terrorist groups into Indian Kashmir has significantly increased over the past 10 years.
The security forces have been able to thwart various terrorist attacks on civilians in Kashmir and several international terrorist outfits have lost their manpower and infrastructure in Kashmir due to the restrictions imposed on accession of statehood to India. At the same time, the external community too has taken a closer look at the deteriorating scenario in Kashmir since India’s accession to the Union of Independent States (UIS) in March 29th, 2021. As international terrorist outfits increasingly found sanctuary in Indian Kashmir, Indian officials have repeatedly told the Kashmiris that Kashmir was a nation state and not an international terrorist zone. However, both the government and residents of Kashmir rejected such allegations repeatedly citing the violation of human rights and unrestrained rule of the elite terrorists and armed cadres in the valley. Even the international community has taken a closer look at the deteriorating security situation in Kashmir as there have been repeated incidents of civilians killed and injured in the valley on the anniversary of International Yoga Day and Indian national celebrations.
Recently, the prime minister of Pakistan denied his government’s request for a discussion on the Accession of a new state with India on the grounds that the Kashmiris were not consulted about the issue. It is obvious that both the government of India and of Pakistan have failed to take the Kashmiris into consideration while drafting the article. Moreover, both the sides have failed to even come to a consensus on the Kashmir issue. The international community is worried and they have expressed serious concern over the escalating human rights situation in Kashmir. It is obvious that India has to do something to improve the condition of its citizens, but it is also clear that both the governments of India and Pakistan have failed to do so.