Detention of Jammu & Kashmir political worker after educational event sparks condemnation

By A Representative

The Socialist Party (India) has expressed strong concern over the alleged harassment and detention of Shahnawaz Mir, a political worker in Jammu & Kashmir, during and after the party’s five-day educational event on socialism held in Srinagar from June 21 to 25.

According to a statement issued by the party, the event had been officially communicated in advance to senior officials, including the Lieutenant Governor, Chief Minister, Chief Secretary of Jammu & Kashmir, and the Deputy Commissioner of Srinagar.

The controversy arose on June 25 when a banner of the India Palestine Solidarity Forum was displayed at the venue by one of the guest speakers, Dr. Sunilam, a two-time MLA from Madhya Pradesh and President of the Forum. The J&K administration reportedly took exception to the banner and initiated an inquiry at the venue. Later that evening, the course organisers were asked to appear at the Maisuma Police Station.

The organisers stated they were asked to sign an apology acknowledging that the banner had been displayed without administrative permission. While they signed the statement, clarifying that the banner was put up by an invited speaker and not as part of the event's planned agenda, they emphasized their support for the Palestinian cause and said they would not have issued an apology had the programme been explicitly focused on Palestine.

Despite the apology, Shahnawaz Mir, who assisted with the event’s local arrangements, was allegedly detained for nearly 24 hours. The party claims he was interrogated on June 26 by senior police officials and summoned again by the revenue department on June 27.

The Socialist Party has protested Mir’s continued questioning, describing it as “harassment.” The party also noted that Mir is the General Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), a mainstream political organisation in the region.

“We stand in solidarity with Shahnawaz Mir, the people of Jammu & Kashmir who face such treatment routinely, and with the Palestinian people,” said Dr. Sandeep Pandey, General Secretary of the Socialist Party (India). The statement further criticised the Government of India for its silence on the conflict in Gaza and what it termed as support for Israel’s actions.

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