Kashmir's Mass Revolt: The Uprising of the Oppressed-Umar Shahid

Socialist Socialist Oct 2, 2025 04:33 706

Kashmir's Mass Revolt: The Uprising of the Oppressed-Umar Shahid

 

The seething class rage on the occupied and oppressed territory of so-called 'Azad' Kashmir has once again erupted onto the streets; it exposed the brutal farce of the Pakistani state's colonial venture. Thousands of the working masses, their patience exhausted on the endless brutality of neoliberal plunder and imperial-style rule, are now led by the Awami Action Committee in a historic uprising. This is not merely a protest for small reforms but perhaps it is the first indication of a revolutionary struggle against the very systems of exploitation. The demands for bread, free medicine, elimination of elite privileges, employment, provision of clean water, and most importantly, to dismantle the quota system and ghost seats that feed a puppet parliament—hit the very core of the parasitic partnership between the local bourgeoisie and their Islamabad masters. This movement is the unwinding of a years-long deception, in which the citizens of Kashmir are not only fighting for their national rights but are, irretrievably, being molded into a class force against the capitalist state itself. There were series of talks with Pakistani state power conducted at Islamabad.

 

The negotiation was terminated without any resolution and AAC went ahead with call for complete strike. The Pakistani bourgeois state has once more bared its fangs. In brutal display of class terror, the regime has plunged Kashmir into communications darkness. Mobiles, the net—everything disconnected. It is the last resort of a ruling class terrified of the revolutionary energies of the people. Unable to tolerate the real struggle of the workers and the farmers for their basic rights, the state has resorted to its old armory of repression. Paramilitary troops, FC, and police from other provinces have been deployed, turning the area into an occupied zone. Activists are harassed, arrests are made—all in the name of defending the order of exploitation.

Kashmir Mass Peoples Strike

Thanks to the shutdown of internet services, it has been extremely difficult to obtain correct and updated news. But we could get first hand reports from activists on the ground.

There was complete shutdown strike observed on 29th September on the call given by Awami Action committee. Despite all filthy attempts to truncate the movement, a complete shutter-down and wheel-jam strike was observed in all small and big cities and towns of Kashmir. All efforts on the part of the state were unsuccessful. Despite maximum pressure on traders, markets were completely closed. Protest processions were held in every city and town with a large and good turnout of the public, especially the youth. The agitators are still on the streets, and the agitation continues. All routes to Kashmir were closed at 12 o'clock midnight. Throughout the day in Muzaffarabad, the police kept resorting to violence, lathi charge, and tear gas against protesters. The first morning clash occurred near Kohala between the protesters and the FC (Frontier Constabulary). The second tragic incident took place in Muzaffarabad where Muslim Conference miscreants, in the guise of a peace march and under the police shield, staged a rally. When confronted by the peaceful protesters, Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan's (former Prime Minister) son-in-law and his accomplices opened fire on the protesters, and four youth were injured and one martyred. As of now in Muzaffarabad, 22 youth have been injured by police firing. Thousands of protesters have started to march towards Upper Adda under the Action Committee's umbrella. In short, strike and lockdown were a success. This demo appears to be progressing towards a long distance.

 

At night, the people will be sent back home, and tomorrow after re-assembly in their cities, there will be a march from the Poonch Division direction towards Muzaffarabad and sealing of entry points. In Muzaffarabad also, the citizens have been asked to report tomorrow morning at 9 AM, and then it has been discussed to have a "Plan B." Total falsehood and one-sided propaganda are being committed by the Pakistani media. In his address, Shaukat Nawaz Mir, a prominent Action Committee member, has placed all the blame for firing and violence in Muzaffarabad on the sector commander of the ISI. Background Following the 2019 abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, there also emerged in Pakistani-occupied Kashmir a mass struggle based on economic rights. The struggle was galvanized by the sudden economic crisis, which pushed up food and energy prices and levied new taxes.

This unrest coalesced into the "People's Rights Movement" in August 2022, which demanded cheaper electricity and food prices and an end to elite privileges.

A movement to boycott electricity bills was initiated. The movement accelerated in 2023 and led to the establishment of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). Protests, including strikes and burning of bills, became widespread. The movement, despite efforts by the government to silence it through arrest, brought pressure from the public that compelled the state to negotiate. After a long struggle, the JAAC called for a "Long March" in May 2024. The strong action forced the government to acquiesce and issue a notice agreeing on key demands:

  • Electricity: Dramatic reduction of tariffs for domestic and commercial consumers, without any additional taxes.
  • Food: Reduction of the price of flour by 1,100 rupees for every bag of 40kg. • Privileges of the Elite: A judiciary commission was formed to recommend stopping concessions for the ruling elite.

The government also vowed to carry out an earlier notification for the fulfillment of seven other movement demands. Previous movement was wrapped up into victory, but implementation on government promises were pending.

Way Forward & Solidarity Appeal

The movement is continued and at its peak, despite communication blackouts thousands are protesting for their rights. The Awami Action Committee is comprised of members from different strata of society. Its current leadership while opposing the State pressure and continuing the movement, nevertheless keeps limiting the struggle to a provincial level, failing to connect it with the exploited classes of other areas in the country. There are businessman, youngsters, teachers, laborers, woman, nationalists and some others in this committee. Certain trends like adventurists and religious participation in movement cannot be ruled out. Although, there are movements in different parts of Pakistan but they are isolated and dispersed. The progressive elements of Pakistan's relatively more advanced regions' attitude toward these movements is just critical. Owing to this mindset, these forces of progress from advanced areas not only end up aligning themselves right in line with the state's narrative but also rendered completely unable to perform any role within their abilities, relegating themselves only to criticism. No movement is revolutionary at its origin. Instead, it is the intervention and entry of progressive and revolutionary leadership that renders it as such. Otherwise, the entire tale of the building up of revolutionary leadership ahead of its time proves to be meaningless. If movements by nature possessed infinite solidarity and revolutionary character in them, then what would be the need for any effort? Absent all its flaws and issues, this movement is excellent demonstration of people's uprising. Kashmiri people's courage and desire to change their fate are commendable. The bourgeois Pakistani state has no margins to offer further concessions to the masses and will continue to unleash brutality and economic misery.

South Asia has already seen phenomenal movement from Nepal to Sri Lanka; this movement is not a one-off process but due to same economic hardship and stinking capitalism. It has all the ingredients and potential to be a mass rebellion. Here, we appeal to all progressive forces in the world to stand with Kashmir people. We appeal to all leftists to declare their solidarity with Kashmir people. The Kashmir people are already enduring one of the world's longest and most militarized conflicts and economic massacre by ruling classes. Their struggle is no single one; it is a test case for the world to demonstrate whether it will live up to human rights, self-determination, and the bare minimum of economic justice and democracy.

The struggle of the people of Kashmir is a struggle against colonial-style subjugation, against the revival of great-power fascism, and for the bare minimum of the dignity of life. Long Live Kashmir uprising ! Long Live Socialist Revolution !