In a heartfelt appeal, Raja Muzaffar, a trusted associate of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Chairman Yasin Malik, has called upon Mohammad bin Salman, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, to intervene and safeguard the life of the incarcerated Kashmiri leader in India.
Raja Muzaffar, currently based in the United States and recently elected as the JKLF’s acting chairman, has penned this impassioned plea, recognizing Saudi Arabia’s favourable diplomatic relations with India. The timing of his letter coincides with the Crown Prince’s upcoming visit to Delhi on September 11, where he has been specially invited by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In his appeal, Muzaffar earnestly states, “The people of Kashmir earnestly appeal to Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, requesting him to utilize his diplomatic influence to protect the life of the distinguished Kashmiri leader, Muhammad Yasin Malik.” The appeal, sent through the Saudi embassy in Washington, highlights Muzaffar’s efforts in engaging with former prime ministers of India and Pakistan, as well as American and Saudi officials, to explore peaceful solutions to the Kashmir issue.
Malik, a prominent Kashmiri leader, has been unjustly imprisoned by the Indian government and now faces the threat of his sentence being elevated to the death penalty. With anti-Muslim sentiments on the rise in India, the prospects of a fair trial for Malik appear bleak.
Muzaffar’s appeal also recalls the historical meeting between the late Saudi ruler Shah Faisal and the late Kashmiri leader Sheikh Abdullah in Riyadh in 1963, emphasizing the pivotal role played by Saudi Arabia in securing Sheikh Abdullah’s release. Muzaffar attaches copies of his interviews and articles published in prominent Saudi Arabian newspapers as part of his appeal to the Saudi Crown Prince on humanitarian grounds.
The people of Jammu and Kashmir, with deep affection for Saudi Arabia, are placing their hopes on Crown Prince MBS’s role in securing the release of their beloved leader. This release would enable both Yasin Malik and his party to contribute effectively to a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir conflict, aligning with the aspirations of both India and Pakistan for a dialogue-driven solution. Muzaffar has also communicated his concerns to other international human rights organizations, seeking broader attention to this pressing matter.
