Following widespread protests at PoK that resulted in the death of 8 individuals, MEA spokesperson Jaiswal said that “Pakistan must be held accountable for its horrific human rights violations.”
These mass protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) began on September 29, 2025, after talks with the Pakistani government failed to address the demands of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) that accused Pakistan of economic exploitation and political manipulation.
Several areas in PoK have recently witnessed widespread protests, with residents demanding basic rights, justice, and an end to what they described as systemic oppression. Reports emerging from the region indicate that Pakistani security forces have used excessive force against civilians, including brutal crackdowns on protesters, according to Indian officials.
What did Jaiswal say?
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Friday held Pakistan’s oppressive approach and exploitative tendencies responsible for the chaos that erupted at PoK.
“Pakistan must be held accountable for its “horrific” human rights violations” against protesters demanding basic rights and justice,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in response to a question at his weekly media briefing on Friday (September 3)
“We have seen reports on protests in several areas of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, including brutalities by Pakistani forces on innocent civilians. We believe that it is a natural consequence of Pakistan’s oppressive approach and its systemic plundering of resources from these territories, which remain under its forcible and illegal occupation,” Jaiswal added later, highlighting the ‘illegal’ nature of Pakistan’s occupation of the territory.
In response to a follow-up question, Jaiswal maintained that Pakistan occupied parts of Kashmir and its residents remain an integral part of India.
What are the protests all about?
According to agencies, clashes between demonstrators and police had not abated since the protests began on Monday. The protests, led by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC), centre around a 38-point charter of demands that intends to do away with corruption in the region.
The demands of the protestors at the time range from political reforms, subsidised wheat flour, reduced electricity tariffs, free education and health facilities, to the end of perks for government officials.
The lack of cooperation from either side during the negotiations helped transcend the movement into utter chaos and violence. Muzaffarabad became the epicentre of the agitation in PoJK. Following the mass social unrest, markets and transport services were shut down in the region, bringing life in the area to a standstill.
Despite an indefinite lockdown and an internet blackout imposed by authorities, a large number of protesters continue to push through blockades to join the movement. As per multiple reports, the protests have evolved into a wider movement against ‘economic exploitation’ and ‘political marginalisation ‘by Pakistan.