Raja Muzaffar, a trusted associate of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Chairman Yasin Malik, has made a heartfelt appeal to Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Muzaffar is calling on the crown prince to intervene and save the life of the incarcerated Kashmiri leader in India.
As the acting chairman of JKLF and based in the United States, Muzaffar acknowledges Saudi Arabia’s favorable diplomatic relations with India. His letter coincides with the crown prince’s visit to Delhi on September 11, where he has been specially invited by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In his impassioned appeal, Muzaffar wrote, “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.”
Muzaffar, who has been actively engaging with former prime ministers of India and Pakistan to explore peaceful solutions to the Kashmir issue, also held discussions with American and Saudi officials during his visits to both countries. He sent his appeal through the Saudi embassy in Washington.
Malik was arrested by the Indian government before the abrogation of Article 370, and he is facing politically motivated charges resulting in a life imprisonment sentence. Indian officials have even appealed to elevate Malik’s sentence to the death penalty, a move deemed excessive and unjust.
Unfortunately, amidst a surge in anti-Muslim sentiments in India, there is little hope that Malik will receive a fair trial. His life is under severe threat not only in Kashmir but also within the broader global Kashmiri Muslim community.
Muzaffar’s letter also recalls the historic meeting between the late Saudi ruler Shah Faisal and the late Kashmiri leader Sheikh Abdullah in Riyadh in 1963. Following the meeting, Sheikh Abdullah was arrested by the Indian government upon his return to India. It is worth noting that the Saudi government played a pivotal role in Sheikh Abdullah’s subsequent release and his mission to negotiate with Pakistan in 1964.
To support his appeal on humanitarian grounds, Muzaffar has attached copies of his interviews and articles published in prominent Saudi Arabian newspapers such as Arab News, Saudi Gazette, and Al-Muslimun.
The people of Jammu and Kashmir, who hold a deep affection for Saudi Arabia, are placing their hopes in Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s role in securing the release of their beloved leader. They believe that this will enable both Yasin Malik and his party, currently in India, to contribute effectively to a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir conflict in alignment with the aspirations of both India and Pakistan.
Muzaffar has also reached out to other international human rights organizations to draw broader attention to this urgent matter.
