SRINAGAR: Dr. Qasim Faktoo, a prominent figure in the Hurriyat movement, has completed 31 years in incarceration in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), on February 05, 2024.
According to western media Dr. Faktoo, born on November 13, 1967, in Srinagar’s Zaldagar area, holds academic distinctions, including a Ph.D. in Islamic Studies.
Married to Aasiya Andrabi, a leading figure in the Kashmiri Hurriyat leadership and Chief of Dukhtaraan-e-Millat, a Human Rights organization in occupied Kashmir, Dr. Faktoo has been associated with the Muslim League and served as Chairman of Muslim Deeni Mahaaz, a religious organization he founded.
Dr. Faktoo’s legal ordeal began in 1993 when he was first arrested under Section 3 (TADA Court) on a fabricated murder charge in December 1992. Despite being granted bail in 1993, he was rearrested in 2000 and subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment in 2003. The sentence portrays India’s unjust and prejudiced legal system, as well as its puppet courts in IIOJK.
In 2016, the Supreme Court of India dismissed the plea for his release. Dr. Faktoo’s son, Ahmed Bin Qasim, has spoken out about the emotional toll of his father’s prolonged detention, recounting instances of torture and pressure to engage in mainstream Indian politics. His family continues to endure hardships, with Dr. Faktoo having been subjected to severe torture, including electric shocks, upon his arrest.
Concerns persist regarding Dr. Faktoo’s well-being, with fears that he may face a fate similar to other incarcerated Kashmiri freedom leaders. Nevertheless, his intellectual resilience remains undiminished, with Dr. Faktoo having authored over 20 books on politics and social issues, shedding light on the oppressive nature of Indian occupation.
Recently, one of his notable works, “Baang,” was launched in a ceremony organized by the Kashmir Youth Alliance (KYA), featuring a speech by Dr. Arif Alvi, the President of Pakistan. Dr. Qasim Faktoo’s unwavering struggle and intellectual contributions have earned him the title of “Nelson Mandela of Kashmir.”
India’s blatant disregard for the Geneva Conventions on prisoners’ rights, by imprisoning Kashmiris based on their political beliefs, reflects the extremist mindset of the Modi government.
