STATEMENT FROM CONCERNED INDIVIDUALS

We the undersigned, express our grave concern regarding the current state of affairs in Kashmir. The disproportionate use of state violence on unarmed protesters in Kashmir reflects severe human rights violations. Setting aside the paramount concerns in terms of continuous interventions in the normal lives of the people, the alarming loss of civilian lives and reports of serious injuries, including blinding from pellet wounds are deeply disturbing.

Attacking hospitals, ambulances, stopping funeral processions and even burning down residential buildings cannot be the response of a democratic nation. The attack on civilians and the ethical implications this has on our armed forces are not justifiable. Images of police, army and task force brutalities against women, children and youth are spreading across the social media. At the same time, partial and prejudiced reports on television and print are becoming the basis for racism, regionalism and religious intolerance among people who are not afraid to bully Kashmiris and other minorities.

We appeal to our government to consider the state of affairs in Kashmir democratically, prioritizing the right of Kashmiri citizens to normal lives.

We plead before the state to subscribe to the constitutional rights guaranteed to each of its citizens, with an immediate repeal of AFSPA and the withdrawal of excessive military presence in Kashmir. We wish the idea of justice and liberty be evenly distributed and let the people of Kashmir be participants in a dialogue that involves their destiny.

1. Amal Neerad, Film Director
2. Amit Upadhyay, Tata Institute of Social Sciences Hyderabad
3. Ashish Rajadhyaksha, Independent Scholar
4. Ashley Tellis, Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media, Bangalore
5. Asma Rasheed, English and Foreign Languages University
6. Avinash Kumar, Jawaharlal Nehru University
7. Bindu K.C. Ambedkar University Delhi
8. Bindu Menon, Delhi University
9. Carmel Christy, University of California, Santa Cruz
10. Cheri Jacob K, Union Christian College, Mahatma Gandhi University
11. Arunima, Jawaharlal Nehru University
12. Geeta Kapur, Critic and Curator
13. Githa Hariharan, Writer
14. Gogu Shyamala, Writer and Activist
15. Janaki Nair, Jawaharlal Nehru University
16. Jayasree Kalathil, Survivor Research, United Kingdom
17. Josy Joseph, SB College, Mahatma Gandhi University
18. K  Sachidanandan, Writer and Academic
19. K Satyanarayana, English and Foreign Languages University
20. K Lalitha, Feminist Activist, Independent Scholar
21. K R. Manoj, Film Director
22. Khairunnisa Nagathorike, Maulana Azad National Urdu University
23. KoonalDuggal, EFL University, Hyderabad
24. Manoj Kuroor, Writer and Academic
25. Mary E John, CWDS New Delhi
26. Mohan Dharavath, Independent Scholar, Activist
27. Moinak Biswas Jadavpur , University
28. MoushUmi Basu, Jawaharlal Nehru University
29. Navaneetha Mokkil, Jawaharlal Nehru University
30. Parnal Chirmuley, Jawaharlal Nehru University
31. Parthasarathi Muthukkaruppan,  English and Foreign Languages University
32. Paulomi Chakraborty, IIT Bombay
33. Pradip Datta, Jawaharlal Nehru University
34. Probal Dasgupta, Indian Statistical Institute
35. Srivatsan, Anveshi Hyderabad
36. Rajeev Ravi, Film Director, Cinematographer
37. Ramesh Bairy T S, IIT- Bombay
38. Ranjani Mazumdar, Jawaharlal Nehru University
39. Ranjith T., English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad
40. Ravichandran Bathran, IIAS Shimla
41. Ria De, English and Foreign Languages University
42. Rekha Pappu, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Hyderabad
43. Ritam Sen Gupta, Centre for Studies in Social Sciences Kolkata
44. Satish Deshpande,  Delhi University
45. Rupa Viswanath, University of Göttingen
46. SatishPoduval, English and Foreign Languages University

47. ShambhaviPrakash, Jawaharlal Nehru University

48. Shamnad Basheer, National Law School of India University, Bangalore
49. Sherin B.S., English and Foreign Languages University
50. Shilpaa Anand, Maulana Azad National Urdu University.
51. Simona Sawhney, IIT- Delhi
52. Sohnee Harshay, Tata Institute of Social Sciences
53. Sowmya Dechamma,  University of Hyderabad
54. Sucharita Sen, Jawaharlal Nehru University
55. Sudipto Mondal, Hindustan Times
56. SupriyaVarma, Jawaharlal Nehru University
57. Susie Tharu, Author
58. Tejaswini Niranjana Lingnan University, Hongkong& TISS
59. Thahir Jamal K.M., Manipal University
60. Udaya Kumar, Jawaharlal Nehru University New Delhi
61. Uma Bhrugubanda, English and Foreign Languages University
62. Vasudha Nagaraj , Advocate
63. Vasv iOza, NGMA Bengalore
64. Vikas Bajpai, Jawaharlal Nehru University
65. Vivan Sundaram, Artist