JOIN USIntellectuals and social activists from across the country have demanded from the central and the state governments an urgent stop to the “killings of civilians” in Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Left students’ and women organisations took out a protest march at Jantar Mantar against the killings in Kashmir.
In a Citizens’ Statement on Kashmir, the academics, writers, artists and social activists have called for demilitarisation of the Valley and review of Armed Force Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
They have also blamed policies of the BJP for the current unrest and said that BJP’s arrival in the portals of power and its determined pursuit of a majoritarian agenda have much to do with the current upsurge of civil unrest.
Those who have signed the statement include Aruna, Roy, Nandini Sunder, Zoya Hasan, Manoranjan Mohanty, Dunu Roy, KM Shrimali, Jayati Ghosh, Indira Jaisingh and Sandip Pandey among others.
“In 2010, this cycle rolled on repeatedly through four months, claiming over 110 lives, mostly of Kashmiri youth, including a number who were too young to know,” says the statement.
“Nothing has been learnt from that year of catastrophe. The circumstances of Wani’s killing are yet to be fully explained,” the activists said.
“Burhan Wani’s life story should be cautionary warning that the heavy-handed, militaristic Indian approach to Kashmir, has only led to a quarter century of siege and growing alienation,” they argue.