• Mr. Malik turned to political means in Kashmir for a peaceful solution of the dispute between India & Pakistan.

• Indian Government continues to target him for his non-violent movement in Occupied Jammu & Kashmir Valley.

Yasin Malik: A Lion in Shackles was clear when he took the rostrum in front of fearful Justices of the Indian Supreme Court. “I’m a politician; not a terrorist,” roared Mr. Malik. He informed the Supreme Court that several Indian Prime Ministers had engaged with him for political solution of the Kashmir dispute. He was part of several government initiatives to look for solution of the Kashmir. Clearly, he was also questioning the integrity and patriotism of those Prime Ministers, the governments, the members of the armed forces and the people of India.

He was telling the toothless judges of historical facts on how he was deceived by the Indians while he was looking for non-violent means of the Kashmir solution. The Supreme Court Justices were mum. Of course, Modi’s India has its own specific principles. The passage of Waqf (Amendment) Bill is enough to show what Indian government is up to?

But here stood Mr. Malik. He is an undisputed leader of the Kashmiris from the both sides of Line of Control. Every young Kashmiri in Muzaffarabad or Srinagar is as associated to Yasin Malik as he is to his own brother. They look up to him for his political wisdom. Of course, they also feel betrayed to see a leader who has promoted non-violent means in a deceitful manner. Such is the standing of the Indian Government that they were even fearful to take Mr. Malik to the building of the Supreme Court of India. Well, the building of the Supreme Court of India is in the center of New Delhi. There isn’t any specific security threat. So, what actually the fear is for the Modi Government?

Illegal Detention of Yasin Malik

The actual fear lies in the image of Yasin Malik. This fear remains of Yasin Malik’s glimpse to the Kashmiri people. The Modi Government has taken several illegal actions including unilaterally abrogating the special status of the occupied Kashmir valley in August 2019. The same Indian Supreme Court validated actions of Narendra Modi to abrogate Article 370 of the Indian Constitution. The glimpse of Yasin Malik means the revival of calls for referendum in Kashmir as per the UN resolutions. Thus, the Indian Government prefers to keep Mr. Malik behind the bars so that no one could get a glimpse of Kashmir’s Lion.

While he was present to plead his case via a video link from Tihar Jail, Mr. Malik was accompanied by two police constables behind him. It is also contrary to the principles of justice. However, the judges of Supreme Court seem to be more complacent with the government and poses a question: Can Muslims ever get their basic rights in India?

As India keeps Mr. Malik in Tihar Jail, it also opens up a discourse amongst the Kashmiri youth. Was their leader wrong in opting for peaceful means towards the Kashmir dispute? Was it better to continue fighting the occupying Indian forces such as people of Gaza stand to their principled stance? Is there no solution of Kashmir through dialogue? And should Kashmiris never trust the Indian leadership who often back out from their commitments?

While Yasin Malik remains in shackles, the Kashmiris are definitely pondering over the ways and means to resolve the dispute and get back the hold of their lands from Indian occupation. The illegal detention of Yasin Malik may lead the Kashmiris to choose another way for resolving it.