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‘We are Palestine’ graffiti lands Kashmiri artist into jail

Friday, 21 May 2021 10:10 PM [ Last Update: Saturday, 22 May 2021 1:07 AM ]

Shahana Butt

Press TV, Kashmir

This year when the bombardment of Israeli rockets began on Palestinians, people of Kashmir took to social media to denounce the action since the region is witnessing a complete lockdown after the deadly second wave of the coronavirus hit India.

To extend support to the oppressed Palestinians, a young Kashmiri artist painted a Graffiti that read ‘we are Palestine’. It has now become a household image of solidarity with the people of Palestine in Kashmir.

However the graffiti showcasing sad women with Palestinian flag wrapped around her head was not taken well by the Indian authorities in Kashmir, the artist was detained for almost 3 days. Mudasid Gul was released only after he agreed to their conditions.

Before Mudasir Gul’s release, he was asked to erase and deface the graffiti. Authorities say the move was aimed to ward off any law and order issues in the region.

Since the abrogation of Kashmir’s autonomous status in 2019 , Kashmir’s administration has taken all the measures to avoid public protests. Officials say anything in the volatile region can lead to massive protests.

For decades people of Kashmir have supported Palestinian cause. People here have used street protests, art and literature to support the Palestinians. Analysts say Palestine is a matter religious emotion for Muslims around the world but for Kashmiri Muslims its more than emotions; they empathize with the oppression of Palestinians.

Since India's revocation of Kashmir's special status in august 2019, people here accuse the government of not only choking the space for dissent, but also attacking the fundamental rights like freedom of speech and expression. And this defaced graffiti stands witness to the government's strangling approach.

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