India: General strike planned in Jammu and Kashmir August 5-6

Event

Various civil society and business groups are calling for a general strike throughout Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, August 5, and Monday, August 6. The organizers are calling on all people to participate in the strike to show their resistance to current challenge to article 35A, which currently gives the authority to define ‘permanent residents’ to the state legislatures, that is being heard in the Indian Supreme Court. Hearings for the case ends on August 6 and protest leaders have threatened to hold street demonstrations if the court revokes article 35A. Significant commercial and transportation disruptions are expected in Jammu and Kashmir on the days of the strike. If protests occur, clashes between demonstrators and security forces cannot be ruled out.

Context

Article 35A allows the Jammu and Kashmir legislature to define ‘permanent residents’ in the state, which provides special rights and privileges. The article also makes state government positions only open to residents of the state. Previously on May 14, the Supreme Court had deferred the hearing on the case to August 6.

Tensions have been particularly high in Kashmir, claimed by both India and Pakistan, in recent months. Social unrest, general strikes, and violent clashes between the Indian authorities and anti-India protesters are common.

Advice

Individuals in the affected areas are advised to closely monitor developments to the situation and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities. As a reminder, some Western governments advise their citizens against travel to parts of Kashmir, notably areas along the Line of Control (LoC), due to the significant risk of violence.