By Haris Qadeer: Authorities in Pakistani-administered Jammu and Kashmir have arrested two prominent members of pro-independence and student organizations, accusing them of rebellion, spreading hatred against the military, and attempting to undermine national security.
Arsalan Shani, a key figure in the Students Action Committee (SAC) and the Jammu and Kashmir National Students Federation (JKNFS), was apprehended on April 2 by police in Hajeera. He faces charges of using social media to spread anti-military sentiment and disinformation targeting the Pakistan Army. An FIR (First Information Report), filed on April 1 at the Hajeera police station, named Shani, along with several other individuals, including Hamad Sadozai, Abdul Basit, Abdul Samee, and Qadeer Journalist. According to the FIR, these individuals allegedly circulated fake news online to damage the reputation of the military and provoke hostility against the institution.
Shani’s arrest follows his prominent role in organizing and hosting meetings for the newly formed Students Action Committee, a group that has been vocal in advocating for greater autonomy and rights for the region. This marks the latest in a series of arrests Shani has faced, including prior detentions related to his activism against what he calls “repressive policies” in the region.
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In a separate case, Raja Ghulam Mujtaba, a core member of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC), was arrested on April 3 by the Rawalakot police. Mujtaba’s arrest follows the circulation of a video from a March 29 Iftar gathering, where he allegedly made inflammatory remarks encouraging rebellion. The FIR alleges that Mujtaba, along with fellow activist Sajad Afzal, threatened violence, saying that “this is not Balochistan” and that opposition figures would not be found alive. The FIR claims the statements were made to incite the public to rebel against the state.
However, conflicting reports have emerged regarding Afzal’s involvement. His supporters have insisted that he did not deliver any speech at the event, and there is no video evidence to corroborate claims that he made the controversial statements attributed to him in the FIR. In contrast, a video of Mujtaba’s speech, in which the alleged inflammatory remarks were made, has gone viral on social media.
Following Mujtaba’s arrest, the Joint Public Action Committee held an emergency online meeting, where members decided to apply for his bail and refrain from organizing protests. Despite this, progressive groups and student organizations have vocally condemned the arrests, calling the charges politically motivated and an attempt to silence dissent. Both the Students Action Committee and various left-wing organizations have demanded the immediate release of the activists, labeling the accusations against them as baseless.
Arsalan Shani’s arrest has sparked widespread condemnation across the region. Shani, a well-known student leader, has been a vocal critic of the region’s governance and has previously faced multiple arrests due to his political activities. In the past, he was detained during protests against the controversial Presidential Ordinance and has been a significant figure in mobilizing students for causes related to human rights and regional autonomy.
The ongoing arrests have raised concerns among international human rights organizations, who argue that these actions are part of a broader crackdown on political activism and freedom of speech in the region. Both the arrest of student leaders and the criminal charges leveled against them are seen by critics as an attempt to suppress voices advocating for greater autonomy and self-determination for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
As the situation unfolds, calls for the release of Arsalan Shani and Raja Ghulam Mujtaba continue to grow, with international observers watching closely for any further developments in the region’s tense political climate.
