Written By: Shah Nawaz Ali Sher Advocate, High Court, Member Joint Awami Action Committee
Human rights violations in Pakistani-administered Jammu Kashmir have reached alarming levels. The respect for human rights in this region has nearly vanished, and the latest incident on March 5 in Muzaffarabad is a glaring example of this degradation.
On that day, Mujtaba Banday, the central president of the Jammu Kashmir National Students Federation (NSF) and a member of the Joint Awami Action Committee, was brought to the University of Muzaffarabad to take an exam despite being falsely accused and imprisoned. He was shackled with handcuffs, escorted by a police officer holding a chain, while dozens of armed policemen stood outside the examination hall, further emphasizing the severity of state oppression against students.
ایک ھاتھ میں ہتھکڑی دوسرے ھاتھ قلم سے امتحان کا پیپر ایک کشمیری نے مثال قائم کر دی جیو کامریڈ مجتبئ بانڈے
— Waheeda Jammu Kashmiri (@KashmiriWaheeda) March 5, 2025
اگر
Khawaja Mujtaba Banday
کو رہا نہ کیا گیا تو 23 مارچ کو سیز فائر لائن توڑیں گے۔#ReleaseMujtabaBanday @amnestysasia @wajahatgilgiti @SardarAZ_kh @MughalAmiruddin pic.twitter.com/EK7axzKkS0
This incident reveals the extent of state violence and oppression against students’ rights. It shows that human rights violations in this region have reached a point where no distinctions remain.
It is a shameful event that would never occur elsewhere in the world—yet it still happens in "Azad" Jammu Kashmir.
The state seeks to intimidate students, fearing the rising popularity and activism of NSF. Mujtaba Banday's arrest and the humiliating way he was presented before authorities reveal the fragility of the current colonial-based system in the region.
State oppression has now resorted to its last tactics, but these oppressive measures will ultimately be the final nail in the state's coffin.
It is time for the students of this region to rise up, just like the students of Bangladesh did, and fight for the restoration of student unions. The people must be freed from this outdated system.
While many in this region speak of political ties with Pakistan, they are not against Pakistan. Their struggle is not against India or Pakistan, but against the occupation and oppressive governance. They seek complete freedom, and these low-handed tactics are only sowing deeper hatred.
Such underhanded state tactics are increasing public disillusionment, but soon, the people will triumph, and these shackles will be broken.
The Joint Awami Action Committee and other progressive and freedom-loving groups in this region should bring the attention of human rights organizations and the global community to the escalating violations of human rights in Pakistani-administered Jammu Kashmir, demanding that this abuse stop immediately.
Respect for human rights in this region has all but disappeared, and it is crucial that the world take this serious issue into account and act decisively.
We can now shout out loud with complete truth and force that the serious violations of human rights in Pakistani-administered Jammu Kashmir have reached their peak, as demonstrated by the recent events.
This is not just a violation of human rights, but also a clear indication of how extreme state oppression and violence have become.
Even in the face of this new form of state repression, it is clear that such measures cannot last long. These tactics are fueling public hatred and disgust, and the people will soon rid themselves of this outdated system.
Why is the state, which once promoted education for children in enemy lands, now so fearful of educating the youth of Jammu Kashmir?
