'We Find This Situation Unacceptable': Citizens Sign Kashmir Petition to PM, Prez

NEW DELHI: Nearly 300 teachers, writers, bureaucrats and journalists filed a petition yesterday with the Prime Minister’s Office and Rashtrapati Bhawan to record their strong objection to the lockdown imposed on people in the Kashmir valley and parts of Jammu.

Signatories include historian Radha Kumar, political scientist Neera Chandoke, poet K.Satchidanandan, journalist Prem Shankar Jha and former IAS officer Hindal Tyabji.

The petitioners say they find the situation in Kashmir unacceptable on humanitarian and democratic grounds, pointing to the oppressive militarisation of these parts of J&K for over two months now. They appeal to the government to roll back its unilateral decision and restore democracy in the state.

They ask, “If the government can take away freedom of expression and the right to debate legislation that affects their lives in Jammu and Kashmir, what prevents them from doing so across the country?”


Dear Prime Minister Modi,

The people of the Kashmir valley and parts of Jammu have been under a security, political and communications lockdown since August 5, 2019. Thousands of troops man the entrances and exits to their homes, schools and universities. Hundreds of political leaders, including former Chief Ministers and legislators are under 'preventive detention'. Mobile phones are blocked and internet snapped. Businesses have lost thousands of crores.

At the same time, our government has removed Jammu and Kashmir's special status under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution and divided the state into two Union Territories. Both steps were taken without consultation with the people of the former state or their elected leaders. It has been 68 days since the lockdown and we still do not know how the people of Jammu and Kashmir feel. We are unable even to speak to our friends and relatives in the valley.

On humanitarian grounds, we find this situation unacceptable. The government should restore mobile and internet connections, which were declared a fundamental right just recently by the Tamil Nadu High Court.

On democratic grounds, too, we find this situation unacceptable. If the government can take away freedom of expression and the right to debate legislation that affects their lives in Jammu and Kashmir, what prevents them from doing so across the country?

It is not too late to roll-back the lockdown, hold legislative assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir and let the people decide on Article 370 and statehood. We appeal to the government to do so.


Signed:

1. Ammu Abraham Mumbai, India

2. Rekha Achuthan Hyderabad, India

3. Anivek Abrol Chandigarh, India

4. Leela Acharya Toronto, Canada

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