MUZAFFARABAD: An exhibition showcasing cartoons published in Kashmiri newspapers was held on Wednesday under the aegis of a Kashmiri refugee organisation to expose Indian war crimes in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and highlight the severe restrictions on civil liberties.

Titled ‘All Eyes on Kashmir’, the exhibition featured around50 enlarged cartoons, vividly depicting the brutality of Indian soldiers against innocent Kashmiris before and after August 5, 2019, as well as their helplessness under occupation.

Several cartoons illustrated the devastating impact of the Amarnath Yatra on the environment and the lives of local residents, while others highlighted the coercion of Kashmiri civilians into participating in India’s so-called Republic Day celebrations and other official events.

The exhibition also exposed the curbs on journalism and freedom of expression in Occupied Kashmir.

Among those who voiced their concerns against Indian war crimes during the exhibition were Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Acting President Chaudhry Latif Akbar, former Chief Justice Chaudhry Ibrahim Zia, and Uzair Ahmad Ghazali, Chairman of Pasban-e-Hurriyat (PHJK), an organization representing post-1989 refugees from across the Line of Control (LoC).

The exhibition was arranged by PHJK.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Akbar maintained that the arbitrary application of draconian laws and mass killings in occupied Kashmir could not suppress the Kashmiri resistance movement.

He urged the international community to fulfill its moral and legal responsibilities regarding the Kashmir issue.

The Acting President also inscribed a handwritten message on a banner displayed at the exhibition.

PHJK Chairman Ghazali said that the Indian government and occupying forces were committing grave war crimes in occupied Kashmir, where civil liberties had been completely stripped away.

He explained that the exhibition aimed to shed light on the horrific conditions of Kashmiri prisoners subjected to torture in Indian detention centres.

Visitors to the exhibition penned messages of solidarity, urging peace-loving nations and organizations world wide to play their role in achieving a just and lasting resolution to the Kashmir conflict.

Published in Dawn, February 27th, 2025