Locals Protest Indian Intervention in Kashmir

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK —

Near the orange, white and green colors of the Indian flag hanging from the Consulate General of India building in New York City, hundreds of local activists on Friday, August 9 protested the Indian government’s intervention in Kashmir.

Protestors from the Stand with Kashmir activism group opposed India claiming the Muslim-majority territory of Kashmir as it’s own. India revoked Article 370 of India’s constitution, which guaranteed Kashmir rights to self-govern on matters outside of defense, communications and foreign affairs. The Indian government arrested hundreds and is enforcing a communications lockdown in India-administered Kashmir, a territory in unofficial recognition as Indian land. Pakistan also has its own administered territory in Kashmir. Following the deployment of thousands of Indian troops into Kashmir, raising tensions between India and Pakistan, both countries with nuclear weapons who claim Kashmir as each its own, the protestors wanted the Indian government to leave Kashmir.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the intervention will spur in Kashmir education, economic opportunities for all and dignity for women. He said his government’s involvement will weed out corruption and terrorist cells existing in Kashmir that have killed Indian soldiers. Pakistan and India fought two of their three wars over the disputed territory of Kashmir since 1947 after the two countries gained independence from British imperial rule.

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