Jammu: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday strongly condemned human rights violations in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), accusing Pakistan of targeting civilians, including women and children, and calling upon the international community as well as regional political parties in Jammu and Kashmir to speak out against the alleged atrocities.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters, party spokesperson Dr Tahir Chowdhary and BJP leader and spokesperson Dr. Abhijeet Singh Jasrotia expressed concern over the reported situation in PoJK and asserted that the people of the region continue to look towards India with hope.
BJP spokesperson Dr Tahir Chowdhary alleged that the situation in PoJK has deteriorated significantly in recent weeks, claiming that Pakistan’s army and security forces are directly firing upon civilians, killing innocent people, including women and children.
He alleged that videos emerging from the region show residents appealing to the world for help while facing what he termed as blatant human rights violations.
“Unfortunately, the global leadership and international organisations have remained silent despite these incidents,” he said.
Dr Chowdhary contrasted the present situation with earlier years in Jammu and Kashmir when, according to him, separatist leaders frequently approached the United Nations over issues in Kashmir.
He questioned why those voices are now silent despite the alleged civilian suffering in PoJK.
Referring to political developments in the region, he claimed that the people of PoJK increasingly identify themselves with India after witnessing governance and development on the Indian side of Jammu and Kashmir.
“The people of PoJK openly raise slogans in favour of India and express their desire to reunite with India. This growing inclination towards India has created fear within Pakistan’s establishment,” he alleged.
He further accused Pakistan of attempting to suppress these sentiments by creating harsh living conditions for residents of PoJK, alleging restrictions on food, medicines and other essential supplies.
Dr Tahir questioned the silence of regional political parties, including the National Conference (NC), People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Congress.
“I ask the leaders of these parties why they are not speaking openly against the atrocities being committed on the people of PoJK,” he said.
He asserted that the BJP has consistently maintained that PoJK is an integral part of India and reiterated the party’s long-standing stand that both the territory and its people belong to India.
Referring to statements made by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Hon’ble Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah regarding PoJK, Chowdhary said the BJP remains committed to the eventual reunification of the region with India.
He alleged that Pakistan was targeting civilians because it fears the increasing pro-India sentiment among the people of PoJK.
Describing Pakistan as a country that has “lost all moral credibility,” he condemned the alleged killings of children, women and innocent civilians and urged all political parties in Jammu and Kashmir to send a united message that the people of PoJK are part of India and should not be subjected to violence.
BJP spokesperson Dr. Abhijeet Singh Jasrotia delivered an emotional speech focusing on historical events linked to Mirpur during the 1947 conflict.
Jasrotia said discussions on PoJK always leave him emotional, adding that while preparing for the press conference he was reminded of the events of 25 November 1947, when, according to him, numerous young girls in Mirpur allegedly sacrificed their lives to protect their honour during the tribal invasion supported by Pakistan.
He claimed that many girls jumped into a well inside a gurdwara after tying nooses around their necks rather than falling into the hands of the invading forces.
Calling it one of the darkest chapters in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, Jasrotia alleged that Indian troops were only a short distance away but could not advance.
He blamed the then political leadership, particularly Jawaharlal Nehru and Sheikh
Abdullah, alleging that decisions taken at that time prevented Indian forces from moving forward to save the people of Mirpur.
He appealed to the displaced people from Mirpur, Bhimber, Deva Batala, Haveli and other parts of PoJK to remember November 25 and said that if PoJK reunites with India, he would visit Mirpur to pay homage to those who lost their lives.
Jasrotia also narrated another historical account, claiming that during the conflict entire villages were forced into desperate circumstances where families allegedly poisoned sweets before feeding them to their children to save them from falling into the hands of invading forces.
He said such stories continue to haunt him and described them as examples of the suffering endured by the people of the region.
Turning to current developments, Jasrotia referred to a young political activist identified as Sardar (as mentioned during the press conference), claiming that he was recently shot by Pakistani forces.
He alleged that civilians in PoJK possess no weapons but continue to become targets of firing by Pakistan’s security establishment.
He also criticised Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, alleging that his recent remarks reflected Pakistan’s hostility towards the people of PoJK.
Jasrotia strongly criticised senior leaders of the National Conference and the PDP, including Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, accusing them of remaining silent on the alleged violence in PoJK.
He questioned why they had not issued strong statements condemning Pakistan and alleged that they had failed to stand with the people of the occupied territory.
Referring to past political controversies, he also criticised the National Conference over previous statements made by some of its leaders regarding Pakistan.
He further reiterated his criticism of historical decisions taken during the accession of Jammu and Kashmir, alleging that mistakes made by the then political leadership resulted in the continued separation of PoJK from India.
The BJP leaders maintained that the international community should take note of the alleged human rights violations in PoJK and ensure that the voices of the affected people are heard.
Reiterating the party’s position, they said the BJP stands firmly with the people of PoJK and will continue to raise their concerns at every appropriate platform.
