India on Tuesday strongly criticised Pakistan over the continuing protests in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), saying the unrest was the result of Islamabad’s “decades-long systemic exploitation, denial of fundamental rights, and administrative oppression” in the region under its “illegal and forcible occupation”.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the protests were a direct consequence of Pakistan’s policies in the region.
“The ongoing protests in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir are a direct consequence of Pakistan’s decades-long systemic exploitation, denial of fundamental rights, and administrative oppression in areas under its illegal and forcible occupation,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
Police brutality and use of lethal force
The MEA alleged that instead of addressing the concerns of the local population, Pakistan had responded with force.
According to the ministry, the Pakistani state resorted to “excessive police brutality, including against unarmed women and children, blocking essential supplies, including food and medicine, enforcing internet blackouts, and deploying lethal force against unarmed civilians.”
The ministry further said the crackdown had “led to tragic fatalities”.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal repeated the government’s position, saying the protests reflected years of exploitation and administrative oppression.
He also said Pakistan had responded to the demonstrations with police brutality, restrictions on essential supplies, internet shutdowns and the use of lethal force against unarmed civilians.
India seeks international accountability
Calling the reported actions serious, the MEA urged the global community to respond.
“We expect and hope that the international community will hold Pakistan fully accountable for these egregious abuses and mistreatment,” the ministry said.
India’s remarks come as protests in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir continue to gather momentum.
What we know about PoJK protests?
The ongoing protests in PoJK are being led mainly by the Awami Action Committee and associated groups.
According to available reports, the movement is centred on demands related to political representation, economic grievances and what protesters describe as discriminatory governance.
The agitation has entered its 34th day, with reports indicating that a fresh protest march has been planned for July 15 after talks between the two sides were called off.
Key demands of protesters
One of the main demands of the protesters is the abolition of 12 assembly seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees settled in Pakistan, which they argue distorts local political representation.
The protesters are also seeking economic relief and an end to what they describe as state overreach and coercive governance.
The demonstrations have drawn attention because they challenge Pakistan’s position on Kashmir from within Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir itself.
Reports also suggest that members of the Kashmiri diaspora have begun staging protests overseas, including outside the White House, to draw attention to what they describe as the humanitarian and political situation in the region.
According to the latest reports, the protests are intensifying rather than subsiding, with protest leaders rejecting compromise and calling for the movement to continue.
