by Raju Rajagopal, HfHR cofounder

NOTE: THE HINDUS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS BLOG IS A SPACE FOR A HEALTHY EXPLORATION OF IDEAS PERTINENT TO OUR MISSION. THE VIEWS AND OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THIS BLOG ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHOR AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE OFFICIAL POLICY OR POSITION OF HINDUS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS.

I was at a protest rally a few days ago in front of San Francisco’s famous Ferry Building, organized by Stand with Kashmir (SWK) and its allies, including ASATA, Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), and Palestinian groups. As I joined Kashmiri men, women, and children calling for an end to the lock-down in the valley and roundly condemn the Indian occupation forces, my overwhelming thought was one of sadness: sadness for many of those present, who have been unable to find out if their families and friends are OK; sadness for a community that has been targeted for collective punishment in pursuance of India's political goals; sadness for all Kashmiris, who have been denied their democratic rights for way too long. And sadness too, to hear the country that I love come under the receiving end of a community under siege. 

Looking over to the other side of the plaza at the counter demonstration in support of Kashmiri Pandits and the Indian government, I couldn’t help but think how over the years I have felt anguish and compassion for them as they were cruelly expelled from the valley; then how successive governments have treated them as pawns, talking opportunistically about their plight without doing anything to actually improve their lives or enable them to return to their home; and now as they seem to have thrown in their lot with the brutal actions of India and Hindutva forces, I wondered how this community hopes to go back to their homes in Kashmir and live in peace and amity with their Muslim neighbors. 

Hindus for Human Rights (HfHR) calls for an immediate end to the blockade of Kashmir and the restoration of all communications, travel, and the media, and allow all Kashmiris to speak for themselves.