Pakistan, in collaboration with an extensive array of militant networks, is actively engaged in orchestrating a propaganda campaign centering on the Kashmir issue. This strategic initiative, seemingly driven by multifaceted objectives, aims to undermine the democratic image of India and sow a perceptual division between the region of Kashmir and the broader Indian nation.
The commemoration of Kashmir Solidarity Day on February 5, an annual observance since 1990, serves as a noteworthy context for these actions. While ostensibly purporting to draw attention to the self-determination aspirations of Kashmiris, this ceremonial practice is widely construed within academic circles as a propagandist endeavor, conspicuously detached from the intricate and nuanced ground realities, thereby relegating its significance to a fundamentally inconsequential realm. The proposition of Pakistan extending solidarity to Jammu and Kashmir necessitates a closer examination of shared causes, interests, or authentic unity. Despite Pakistan’s verbal assertions of an emotional bond with the region, a comprehensive analysis reveals that its actions over the past six decades, framed under the guise of “diplomatic and moral support,” have inflicted substantial human costs. This has manifested in significant bloodshed and widespread suffering, primarily attributed to the region’s exposure to terrorism.
Furthermore, Pakistan posits a cultural and ideological affinity, yet this assertion is refuted by the ethnically diverse composition of Jammu and Kashmir’s three regions: Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh. The validity of Pakistan’s claim to cultural kinship with Kashmir and its cause is thereby brought into question. In a nation characterized by internal polarization and an enduring, seemingly intractable conflict, the capacity of Pakistan to authentically cultivate solidarity with the issues and aspirations of Kashmir remains a subject of scholarly scrutiny.
Jammu and Kashmir, as an integral and constitutionally recognized entity within the Indian Union, affords its populace the active realization of liberties and freedoms enshrined in the Indian Constitution. This entitlement is further complemented by a distinctive status, providing supplementary benefits. The region consistently upholds transparent and impartial electoral processes, ensuring seamless transitions in governance. The state takes pride in its commendable progress across pivotal domains, encompassing infrastructure, provisions under the rural employment guarantee scheme, access to free and quality education, healthcare services, and advancements in foundational sectors such as agriculture and horticulture.
In contrast, Pakistan Occupied Jammu Kashmir (POJK) operates as a dominion that has been ruthlessly exploited and dismembered by the Government of Pakistan to serve its strategic interests. A considerable portion of the illegally occupied territory has been transformed into a de facto colony of the ruling Punjabi elite, with a significant tract callously ceded to China. For administrative expediency, Pakistan has bifurcated POJK into two entities—Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) and Gilgit-Baltistan—facilitating control through the principle of divide and rule. Both entities ostensibly operate under a semblance of self-governance, yet substantial powers remain vested in the authoritative Ministry of Kashmir Affairs within the federal government.
The hardships endured by the inhabitants of the occupied territories remain obscured from the international community due to stringent media restrictions prevailing in the region. Notably, there is a conspicuous absence of newspapers, and electronic media outlets are virtually nonexistent. The limited information accessible globally primarily comprises selectively released video clips, clandestinely disseminated by exiled freedom fighters.
The stark brutality of the establishment’s actions is discernible in these circulated footages, prominently featured on social media platforms. These visual records capture substantial protests against systemic injustices, articulating an unequivocal aspiration among the populace to emancipate themselves from the asserted colonial dominion of Pakistan.
In tandem with its political turmoil, Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) contends with a succession of natural calamities. Struggling to recover from the profound impact of the 2005 earthquake, the region found itself yet again grappling with devastating floods in 2014. Unfortunately, palliative measures to alleviate the resultant suffering have been notably lacking. Substantial international aid earmarked for humanitarian purposes has, regrettably, been diverted to militant entities such as Jamaat-ud-Dawa, fueling activities with a pronounced terrorist agenda against India. This diversion has, consequently, marginalized genuine relief efforts.
China has been accorded a comprehensive mandate by Pakistan for the exploitation of the region of Gilgit-Baltistan. A conspicuous facet of this collaborative initiative is the ambitious China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), poised to inject a substantial USD 42 billion into the Pakistani economy, with its trajectory traversing through Gilgit-Baltistan. However, it is evident that the indigenous populace of Gilgit-Baltistan will not be the principal beneficiaries of this economic development, as they are compelled to cede their land.
The methodically orchestrated propaganda surrounding Kashmir Solidarity Day follows predictable patterns in its implementation. The proxy administration in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) meticulously arranges human chains at strategically significant bridges linking Pakistan to the occupied territories. Ostensibly symbolizing the unity of the Pakistani nation with the Kashmiri cause, these human chains serve as a visual manifestation of solidarity. Concurrently, political leaders from Pakistan make visits to Kashmiri refugee camps, extending assistance to those enduring dire living conditions. This dual approach, featuring both symbolic acts and tangible support, underscores the multifaceted nature of the propaganda campaign.
Furthermore, a joint session of the purported Kashmir Legislative Assembly in Pakistan Occupied Jammu Kashmir (POJK) is convened to reaffirm an unwavering allegiance to Pakistan. This legislative gathering serves as a platform for articulating and reinforcing the narrative of solidarity between the regions. On the domestic front, Pakistan observes a customary minute of silence nationwide during the commemoration of Kashmir Solidarity Day, fostering a collective reflection on the perceived injustices faced by Kashmiris. Staged processions, marked by banners and leaflets, are organized in select major cities, adding a public spectacle dimension to the commemorative activities. It is noteworthy, however, that these events are not devoid of controversy. Fundamentalist Jihadi leaders such as Mohammad Asghar and Hafiz Muhammad Saeed publicly articulate anti-India sentiments during these gatherings. In a legal context, their statements might warrant apprehension, as they openly advocate resorting to arms in support of their alleged oppressed brethren in Kashmir. This controversial narrative introduces a layer of complexity to the observed activities and raises questions about the alignment of these leaders’ actions with legal and diplomatic norms.
In analyzing this orchestrated propaganda, it becomes evident that Pakistan persists in the illusion that the ceremonial observation of Kashmir Solidarity Day can obfuscate its wrongdoings. It is imperative for the nation to acknowledge that the discerning populace of both Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan Occupied Jammu Kashmir (POJK) remains impervious to such overtly propagandist maneuvers. From an academic standpoint, Pakistan must recognize that its politically motivated actions, showcased through these orchestrated events, cannot erode the enduring historical and socio-political bond between Kashmir and the Indian union. The scholarly scrutiny of these efforts underscores the academic untenability of altering deep-rooted affiliations through such ceremonially driven endeavors.
