‘Censorship by Modi govt’, say activists after Press Club prevented them from sharing ‘Kashmir Caged’  

A group of four social and human activists who had visited Jammu and Kashmir earlier this week after Article 370 was abrogated, on Saturday repeated their claim that the Press Club of India in New Delhi had banned them from showing photos and videos they recorded in the valley on Wednesday reportedly because they were “under pressure”.

Press Council of India managing committee had on Friday said that due to certain logistical problems they were unable to provide the facilities required to show the footage.

Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) member Kavita Krishnan, economist Jean Dreze, Maimoona Mollah of the All India Democratic Women’s Association and Vimal Bhai of the National Alliance of People’s Movements visited different parts of the state such as Srinagar, Sopore, Bandipora, Anantnag, Pulwama and Pampore from August 9 to August 13.

“We all stand by the statement that permission to screen this short video report at the Press Club of India (PCI) on 14 August was denied, reportedly under pressure. Our quarrel is not and was not with the PCI, but with the Government of India that is seeking to censor such spaces. We need to unitedly resist such censorship,” the statement by the activists said.

The group of social activists also appealed for solidarity initiatives with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and also with the ones who are facing harassment, intimidation, censorship and house arrest for protesting against the Centre’s treatment of the people of the state.

“We also object to the misleading and hostile comments made by the Prime Minister, the Government and certain propagandist media outlets, inciting animosity towards Indian citizens who are speaking up against the clampdown on democracy in Kashmir.”

Here you can read the full statement by four authors of the ‘Kashmir Caged’ report:

We deeply appreciate the public’s keen interest in the ‘Kashmir Caged’ report and video report.

We all stand by the statement that permission to screen this short video report at the Press Club of India (PCI) on 14 August was denied, reportedly under pressure. Our quarrel is not and was not with the PCI, but with the Government of India that is seeking to censor such spaces. We need to unitedly resist such censorship.

We appeal for sustained solidarity initiatives with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and also with persons all over India who are facing harassment, intimidation, censorship and even house arrest for protesting the treatment meted out to Jammu and Kashmir and its people.

We also object to the misleading and hostile comments made by the Prime Minister, the Government and certain propagandist media outlets, inciting animosity towards Indian citizens who are speaking up against the clampdown on democracy in Kashmir.

We also caution against possible attempts by the government of Pakistan to fish in the troubled waters, sponsor cross-border terror and appropriate the Kashmir issue for its own vested interests.

The voices, concerns and sufferings of the Kashmiri people must not, yet again, be reduced to an India-Pakistan slanging match. The people of Jammu & Kashmir must have a voice in matters and decisions that concern their lives and region*.

Kavita Krishnan, Jean Drèze, Maimoona Abbas Mollah, Vimal Bhai