Sandeep Pandey slams sentences to Kashmiri women, questions judicial fairness

ISLAMABAD, Mar 27 (APP): Indian social activist and Ramon Magsaysay Award laureate Sandeep Pandey on Friday expressed grave concern over the sentences handed down by an NIA court to Kashmiri leaders Asiya Andrabi, Fahmeeda Sofi and Nahida Nasreen, criticising the Indian judicial system and alleging discrimination against Kashmiri Muslims in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

Mr Pandey said that India had already “taken everything away” from Kashmiris by revoking the region’s constitutional status, adding that the move also stripped the territory of its statehood and curtailed the powers of its legislative assembly and chief minister.

He strongly criticised what he described as the Hindutva-driven policies of the Indian government, accusing it of discriminatory treatment towards Kashmiri Muslims.

Referring to alleged incidents at Vaishno Devi Medical College, he claimed that bias against Kashmiri Muslim students had further exposed the government’s conduct.

The activist also questioned the arrests of more than 2,500 Kashmiri youth following what he termed the “Pahalgam false flag” incident, noting that despite claims by Indian Home Minister Amit Shah that those responsible had been killed in an operation, many detainees remained in custody.

Mr Pandey further alleged that arrests continued even during expressions of solidarity by Kashmiris with Iran following reported US and Israeli strikes, saying such actions reflected a pattern of suppression.

Calling for the release of thousands of detained Kashmiris, he urged that justice be ensured for the people of the region.

Meanwhile, Hurriyat leaders Raja Khadim Hussain and Abdul Hamid Lone welcomed Mr Pandey’s statement, urging rights advocates and civil society members within India to raise their voices against what they described as injustices and human rights violations in IIOJK.