Srinagar: The Human Rights Watch report 2022 has completely exposed Indian real face in front of the world community by highlighting the Indian authority’s repressive laws to silence critics by curbing freedom of expression of minorities especially Christians and Muslims.
Hindu mobs beat up Christian, Muslims and Dalits, often working class men, with impunity while pro-BJP supporters filed baseless complaints against critics, especially religious minorities. Police and security forces used excessive force against members of minority communities and farmers protesting peacefully against laws on farming.
The report expressed concerns over excessive use of force in Kashmir during Cordon and Search Operations, resulting in civilian deaths as well as growing allegations of torture and deaths in custody. In February 2021, Indian government lifted an 18-month internet shutdown in Kashmir imposed in August 2019.
In September 2021, after the death of separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, government once against imposed restrictions on movement and a near-total communications’ blackout for two days to prevent a mass gathering at his funeral. Geelani’s family alleged that they were denied the right to conduct proper final rites. In March 2020, five UN expert mandates wrote to Indian government seeking information about the detention of Kashmiri politician Waheed Para, the alleged custodial killing of a shopkeeper Irfan Ahmad Dar, and enforced disappearance of Naseer Ahmad Wani.
In July 2020, four UN human rights expert mandates wrote to Indian government urging an inquiry into the death in custody of separatist leader Muhammad Ashraf Khan Sehrai, who was detained in July 2020 under the Public Safety Act, a preventive detention law.
The Indian authorities continued to intimidate and harass journalists and news outlets critical of the government through politically motivated lawsuits and tax raids. Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act was specially mentioned which remained in effect in Jammu and Kashmir and several northeastern states, provides effective immunity from prosecution to security forces, even for serious human rights abuses. Web Desk
