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SoCal Kashmiris Worry After India Strips Region's Autonomy
Activists from various groups display placards during a demonstration to condemn the scrapping of Article 370 that granted a special status to Jammu and Kashmir by the Indian government, in New Delhi on August 9, 2019. (Photo by Money SHARMA / AFP) (Photo credit should read MONEY SHARMA/AFP/Getty Images)
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SoCal Kashmiris Worry After India Strips Region's Autonomy
When India gained independence from Great Britain in 1947 and split into Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan, caught-in-the-middle Kashmir chose to join India, under the condition that Kashmiris could keep governing themselves. Kashmir’s autonomy was enshrined in the Indian Constitution, until earlier this month, when the Indian government scrapped that provision.
On August 5, the government of India made a controversial change to its constitution, stripping the region of Kashmir of its special autonomous status. Before the move, Indian authorities cut internet and phone lines and detained thousands of local leaders. Some Kashmiris here in Southern California fear for the future of their families and their homeland.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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