Trail-blazing US congresswoman, Sikh-Canadian leader denounce Indian actions in occupied Kashmir

Trail-blazing member of the United States Congress, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and prominent Sikh politician from Canada, Jagmeet Singh, on Tuesday condemned the human rights violations being carried out by Indian forces in occupied Kashmir. 

The two leaders, who are known for their support among young voters of their respective countries, and have a huge following on social media, made public statements and expressed their indignation over the military curfew imposed in the occupied valley since August 5. 

Cortez tweeted a video in which she was seen writing a message on board set up at a protest site in the US. “Our entire community’s prayers and support are with the families of Kashmir as we work to establish peace and justice there and throughout the world,” she wrote. 

"We stand for the basic human dignity of Kashmiris and support democracy, equality, and human rights for all - including the most vulnerable," she tweeted. 

"Reports of violence & torture are extremely concerning, and the blockade from communication and life-saving medical care must end," Ocasio-Cortez added. 

Sikh-Canadian politician Jagmeet Singh also made public statements in support of Kashmiris and against the human rights violations by India in the occupied valley. 

“The Indian government shut down telephones, cellphone communication, and blocked media," he was seen telling a crowd of supporters in a video posted on Twitter. 

"Anywhere in the world, if the cellphones are being blocked, the telephones are being shut down, and the media is not allowed to go there, I can assure you, there are human rights violations going on."

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had revoked the constitutional autonomy of Indian-occupied Kashmir on August 5 and imposed a military curfew in the area, imprisoning thousands of innocent Kashmris. Many thousands were arbitrarily detained as well.