Jammu and Kashmir Salvation Movement (JKSM) condemns the ban of Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) in Kashmir

Srinagar 6, Oct : (PNI) Dr. Irfan, Spokesman for the Jammu and Kashmir Salvation Movement (JKSM), strongly condemns the recent notification by the Indian Home Ministry declaring the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), as unlawful association. Dr. Irfan asserts that India has no legal standing to make such declarations in the disputed territory of Kashmir.

In a statement issued today, Spokesman JKSM Dr. Irfan reiterated that Kashmir is an internationally recognized disputed territory, as acknowledged by numerous international covenants. Consequently, the Indian Home Ministry lacks any legitimate authority to ban organizations or label them as unlawful simply for advocating for the legitimate rights of the Kashmiri people and striving for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in accordance with United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.

Dr. Irfan emphasized that Indian laws do not apply within the Indian-occupied territory of Jammu and Kashmir due to its disputed status. He pointed to the multitude of UNSC resolutions pertaining to Kashmir and expressed deep concern that India is attempting to obfuscate the Kashmir issue by baselessly branding Kashmiris as secessionists and separatists as it is essential to recognize that Kashmir has never been a part of India, making discussions of secessionism in this context irrelevant.

“The Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) is a political organization committed to pursuing a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir dispute, in accordance with United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions,” Dr. Irfan emphasized. He also underscored the steadfast dedication and sacrifices made by the party’s chairman, Shabir Ahmed Shah, whose decades-long efforts to achieve a peaceful settlement of the conflict have received recognition from reputable international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International. Shah has spent 36 years of his life in Indian prisons solely for advocating the legitimate rights of the Kashmiri people.

Spokesman JKSM decried the Indian government’s unjustified and unwarranted actions, emphasizing that the move to ban political parties and curtail political activities in a disputed territory goes against the principles of the UN Charter and violates the political and democratic rights of the Kashmiri people. He added that these actions will not deter the DFP leadership and its activists from pursuing their noble goal, for which Kashmiris have made unprecedented sacrifices.

Spokesman JKSM called upon UN, P5, OIC and international human rights bodies to take decisive action in response to this matter. He stressed that it is high time for the world to play a crucial role in ending the suppression of legitimate political voices in Kashmir and ensuring a just and peaceful resolution to the longstanding dispute.