May 11, 2020 (Huffington Post) - “My life seems meaningless now. I don’t know what my future would be,” said Omar Farooq, a 23-year-old Kashmiri art student who was hit by metal pellets in both eyes when Indian Army personnel shot and killed Riyaz Naikoo, the 35-year-old rebel commander. Lying in bed at a Hospital in Srinagar, Farooq recounted how he became caught in the violence that erupted when Indian paramilitary troopers stopped young men from reaching his village. Farooq does not know whether he will recover his eyesight. His father, Farooq Ahmad, shares as he wipes the blood from his son’s right eye, “It has been three days since he received pellets on his face, but his eyelid is still bleeding.” Riyaz Naikoo’s death has left yet another gut wrenching trail of devastation in its wake, and Omar Farooq is only one of hundreds severely injured or killed since the start of the crackdown.

Kashmir is entering it's ninth month without phone lines and mobile internet access, in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic. Despite the global pandemic causing most countries to be in a standstill, violence still continues Kashmir, with nearly 50 people killed since the pandemic lockdown was imposed across India. The past few weeks have seen heavy fire along the Kashmir border, killing of civilians, abduction attempts, and the enduring communications blackout. This heinous crackdown by the Indian Government has left millions of Kashmiris destitute.

WHAT'S HAPPENING:

On August 5, the Indian Government implemented a communications and military crackdown on Kashmir. Rights such as freedom of speech, assembly and movement have been taken away, and reports of rampant abuse and human rights violations are mounting daily.

WHAT HAS EMGAGE DONE:

As the Trump Administration emboldens the far right Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal has countered with the introduction of House Resolution 745, which calls for the Indian government to "end the restrictions on communications and mass detentions in Jammu and Kashmir as swiftly as possible and preserve religious freedom for all residents." Since the start of the crackdown, Emgage has been advocating tirelessly on the Hill and engaging our fellow Americans, like yourself, from across the country to engage with their representatives to urge the passage of this crucial resolution!

OUR ASK:

This Ramadan, we need your support to help us continue our work to get the Kashmir Resolution co-sponsored and swiftly passed! Over 4,000 letters have been sent to Congress from advocates like you, and with the leadership of Emgage, we can send a message to India that their abuses against Kashmir MUST come to an end. We urge you to help us continue our work and ensure that this Ramadan, you play your part in helping America stand on the right side of history! Will you donate $30 today to help us continue our advocacy for the people of Kashmir?

In solidarity,

Wa'el Alzayat
Emgage CEO