South Asia Citizens Web

The undersigned citizens of and friends of South Asia, who stand in solidarity with all freedom-loving citizens of this region, release this statement on Jammu and Kashmir.
We are deeply concerned by recent political developments in Jammu and Kashmir. We are distraught that the people of this beleaguered land, who have lived with violence and political disempowerment for decades, have now been subjected to a further erosion of their rights under the intensified military suppression of the last ten days.
Article 370 of the Indian Constitution represented an historical understanding between the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the Indian state. On 5 August 2019, not only was Article 370 abrogated, but the very statehood of Jammu and Kashmir was abolished, bringing the region under New Delhi’s direct rule. The manner in which these abrogations were accomplished, through executive order and in the absence of a state legislature, is a betrayal of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, whose elected representatives were never consulted. This is a sharp departure from democratic governance, and the constitutional validity of these decisions has been rightfully challenged.

Having listened to the debates on Kashmir in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, the Prime Minister’s address to the nation, and having watched subsequent developments in Kashmir, we as citizens of India inspired by the life and work of Mahatma Gandhi feel compelled to state that the government has pushed the country into a blind alley. The gun that was used to silence Kashmir is now being used as a telescope through which to see Kashmir. This is shameful, unfortunate and ominous for India.

Abstract: The Sunni Jihadi movement has since its emergence in the early 1960s been fraught with internal tensions in the form of competitive dynamics, discursive contestation and fratricide. Despite largely sharing the same religious foundation and political ideology, individuals and groups time and again engage in intra‑ and inter‑group criticism which occasionally escalates to more serious conflict with detrimental effects for the broader Jihadi movement. The ongoing conflict between al‑Qaida and the Islamic State is undoubtedly the most critical episode of intra‑Jihadi conflict, but comparable conflict dynamics are not unprecedented. This report provides an introduction to and overview of the most noteworthy historical examples of contestation and outright conflict between Sunni Jihadists with the aim of illustrating the diverse nature of such internecine struggles. It helps contextualise the conflict between al‑Qaida and the Islamic State by showing that similar dynamics have previously occurred – on a smaller scale – and by charting how the sources of contestation and conflict have varied over the years.

Report of Four-member independent fact-finding team that visited Kashmir from 9-13 August 2019

Citizens For Democracy (CFD) unequivocally condemns the way the present Central Government has abrogated article 370 of the Constitution of India and has converted a recognized state, i.e. the J&K, into two Union Territories, viz. the J&K (with legislature) and Laddakh without consulting the affected people. The manner in which it is done is totally undemocratic, unconstitutional and a blot on the Indian democracy which claims to be the largest one in the democratic world.