Kashmiri Activists Arrested on Charges of Sedition and Anti-Military Sentiments

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By Waheeda Jammu Kashmiri

In yet another attempt to silence voices advocating for Kashmiri rights, police in Pakistani-administered Jammu and Kashmir have arrested two core members of the Joint Awami Action Committee and the Students Action Committee. The charges—sedition, spreading hatred against the military, and defaming national institutions—are seen by many as politically motivated tactics to suppress dissent.

Arrest of Student Leader Arsalan Shani

On April 2, police in Hajira arrested student leader Arsalan Shani, who has been at the forefront of student activism in the region. He played a pivotal role in establishing the Students Action Committee and organizing its meetings. His arrest follows an FIR filed on April 1 at Hajira Police Station, which accuses him, along with Hamad Sadozai, Abdul Basit, Abdul Sami, and Qadeer Journalist, of using social media to spread anti-military sentiments and fake news. Critics argue that such accusations are frequently used against Kashmiri activists who demand their political and civil rights.

Arrest of Raja Ghulam Mujtaba

On April 3, police arrested Raja Ghulam Mujtaba, a prominent member of the Joint Awami Action Committee, and transferred him to Rawalakot police station. A day earlier, his two brothers were briefly detained for questioning, highlighting a broader campaign of intimidation against activists and their families.

Before his arrest, Mujtaba released a video statement denying allegations of insulting martyrs and insisting that his words were not intended to offend anyone. However, an FIR filed against him after his arrest cites a speech he made on March 29 at an Action Committee Iftar program in Rawalakot. The FIR alleges that he and another activist, Sajjad Afzal, made inflammatory statements inciting rebellion. The FIR quotes them as saying, “This is not Balochistan where bodies return; here, your heads will roll, and even your bodies won’t be found. You will find bodies in Mangla Dam.”

Discrepancies in the Case Against Sajjad Afzal

Despite being named in the FIR, there is no evidence that Sajjad Afzal delivered a speech at the event. His associates claim that he was not even present at the Iftar gathering. The words attributed to him in the FIR match those spoken by Raja Ghulam Mujtaba in a viral social media video. However, no such video of Sajjad Afzal’s speech exists online. Sajjad Afzal is the president of the Sarwarajia Revolutionary Party, a political group advocating for Kashmiri self-determination.

Suppression of Dissent: Response from Activists and Organizations

Reports suggest that the Joint Awami Action Committee held a late-night online meeting and decided to apply for Mujtaba’s bail rather than initiate protests. However, no official statement has been issued regarding Sajjad Afzal. While the committee has condemned Mujtaba’s arrest, it has not yet called for demonstrations.

Several pro-independence and progressive organizations, along with the Students Action Committee, have strongly condemned the arrests, calling them politically motivated and aimed at suppressing Kashmiri voices. Many have demanded the immediate release of the detainees.

Background and Reactions to Arsalan Shani’s Arrest

Arsalan Shani, a key figure in Kashmiri student activism, is a central office bearer of the Jammu and Kashmir National Students Federation. His repeated arrests highlight the increasing pressure on Kashmiri activists. He has previously been detained multiple times during public rights movements and protests against presidential ordinances. Recently, he organized a student assembly in Kotli, where the Students Action Committee was formally established. He is one of its founding members.

His arrest has sparked widespread outrage, with student organizations, pro-independence activists, and civil rights groups demanding his unconditional release. Many view these arrests as part of a broader crackdown on Kashmiri political activism, aimed at stifling dissent and discouraging future movements for rights and self-determination.