The Pakistani media has taken a strong stance against the Modi government’s decision of revoking Article 370 that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. All credible print media organisations have accused the Indian government of failing Kashmir yet again.
Dawn, The Nation and The Tribune have worded their reactions very strongly against this move by India, some to the extent of even calling it ‘The Darkest Day For Kashmir’.
‘Long Nightmare For The Kashmiri People’
Jawed Naqvi in his piece titled ‘A secular dream entombed’ in Dawn has opined that this move of the Modi government has killed “Nehru’s dream of a secular and inclusive republic”.
“Prime Minister Modi’s revivalist government was emboldened by a rare majority it got in elections in May, and with the numbers on its side, it has successfully entombed Nehru’s dream of a secular, inclusive republic,” he wrote.
While Naqvi calls this move by PM Modi to be ‘communally motivated’, he further implies so by breaking down the intent behind the purposed bifurcation.
“Under this scheme, Ladakh would break away and become a Union Territory without an elected assembly, say, like Chandigarh. This should enable Modi to keep the large Muslim population of Kargil from acquiring a political platform, which will be also denied to Ladakh’s Buddhist people.”Jawed Naqvi, Delhi Correspondent of Dawn
He concludes his analysis on a striking note of how the people of Kashmir must face the full force of ‘Hindu bigotry’, a malice according to Naqvi that has spread in every corner of ‘Nehru’s India’.
‘Invasion of The Valley Sponsored by The BJP’
“The special status the region enjoyed since 1954 was basically a measure that guarded against any attempt at changing the demography of an overwhelmingly Muslim Kashmir. Its abolition could mean an invasion of the Valley sponsored by the BJP in its current belligerent mood.”
Taking a critical stance, an editorial in Dawn titled ‘IHK’s grim reality’ calls this move by India a violation of all its commitments including those made at the United Nations. The editorial also mentions that this move will have violent and serious repercussions.
“The Kashmiris have shown in recent months that, although abandoned by many supporters, their ability to take on the might of the occupiers has far from diminished. In fact, it is the subterfuge, the force, the tricks employed by the BJP that have stoked the fires.”
In conclusion, the piece commented on the inherent hatred in the ‘brand of politics that is formally being accepted by a presidential decree in the world’s largest democracy.’
‘Doors Open For Mass Hindu Migration’
A deep dive analysis by the news desk of The Express Tribune, compared this move by the government to Israel’s occupation of Palestine.
The analytical piece explains that Article 370 ensures Indian-occupied-Kashmir (IoK) remains India’s only Muslim majority state.
“Observers believe the move to scrap Article 35A is driven by the desire of Hindu nationalist groups such as Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to end Muslim majority in IoK. The article’s removal opens the door for mass Hindu migration and settlement in IoK, akin to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory.”
‘India’s Judiciary Put To Test’
Hasnaat Malik in his opinion piece, titled ‘Indian judiciary's real test’ in The Express Tribune explains the legal aspects of India’s move on Kashmir quoting Pakistani lawyer Waqar Rana.
“It is time to put to test the Indian judiciary, which claims to be independent and takes pride in protecting civil liberties, rule of law and human rights. I still believe that it shall rise to the occasion and protect innocent and unarmed Kashmiris from the state and Hindu terrorism which are two sides of the same coin. ”
Malik in his article, refers to a statement given by Rana who believes this is much more than a human rights issue. According to Rana, Article 370 is a sovereign commitment India made to the world and it needs to be honoured.
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