Students march for Kashmir awareness

About 10 students stood at the Sample Gates on Wednesday afternoon, silently holding signs that read “Stop Human Rights Violations in Kashmir” and “Kashmir in Tears.”

The students were assembled there for 10 minutes as members of the IU community walked past, slowed down and turned their heads to read.

The group was part of a march, which traveled from the lobby of the law school to the Sample Gates and was organized by law student Raheela Nerchoor, in support of the people of Kashmir, the disputed territory on the India-Pakistan border.

It was also an observance of Human Rights Day, established by the United Nations in honor of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Nerchoor grew up in Kashmir. China also borders the region, placing Kashmir in the center of three nuclear-armed countries. Clashes in the region often turn violent.

“Kashmir is called heaven, but now it is hell,” Nerchoor said.

The march included members of the local chapter of the Association for India’s Development and the Muslim Student Union.

Before the march, Nerchoor gave a brief speech about how political events have shaped Kashmir.

She also added that, to show solidarity for a girl who had recently been raped by military forces, she would not wear a jacket or sweater during the march, despite the cold weather.

Senior Rebeca Hernandez, a member of Muslim Student Union, said she joined the march after doing relief work in the region this summer and hearing stories of how Kashmiri families were ripped apart.

“I feel that Kashmir is very close to my heart,” Hernandez said.

Josh Newton, a law student, decided to join the march because of the importance he places on humanitarian issues.

“I’m a lot more aware of the issues now,” Newton said. “More than anything, I noticed a lot of people walking past who looked at the signs, and hopefully some of them will be affected.”

Above all, Nerchoor said she hopes that the people of Kashmir will one day be able to live in peace.

“People should live with dignity,” Nerchoor said. “There isn’t dignity in Kashmir.”