Kashmir domiciles

The Indian government has started altering the demography of occupied Kashmir under the cover of the coronavirus pandemic by issuing domicile certificates to non-residents in violation.

More than 25,000 people have already been issued domicile certificates since May entitling them residency and government jobs earlier reserved only for locals. The decision to provide non-Kashmiris with residency is a blatant attempt to silence the people of Kashmir and make them a minority in their own region.

The Indian government notified domicile laws in April amid the coronavirus lockdown making outsiders eligible for jobs. A domicile certificate issued to a bureaucrat in Bihar has gone viral on social media. Many people who have lived in Kashmir are also been issued residency rights.

This policy to issue domiciles in Kashmir will be disastrous for the region, aimed at reversing the Muslim character of the region. Pakistan has rejected the move to grant domiciles saying that it has been part of the BJP’s Hindutva agenda, saying even Kashmiris have rejected these bogus domicile certificates.

Even US presidential candidate Joe Biden raised concerns saying India should take ensure the rights of Kashmir as restrictions on dissent, peaceful protest, and stopping internet services impedes democracy. The global community has failed to take any concrete action against India except for issuing mere statements as it continues its atrocities with impunity.

The Kashmiris have suffered a lot over the past year since Indian revoked the region’s autonomy and imposed a communication blockade. This was followed by a lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak and the number of cases surged in the region. India forces continued its atrocities and human rights abuses on Kashmir and now the issuance of domicile certificates is another step.

India has rushed to issue these domicile certificates which suggests that it intends to undermine the rights of Kashmiris to determine their own future. India must be forced to immediately cancel these domiciles, revoke all unfair laws, and comply with international obligations.

PM Imran Khan has approached UN secretary-general and other world leaders to stop India from further usurping the rights of Kashmiris. If we fail to react, Kashmir will become the next Palestine as it lands and liberties will be taken over the Indian state.