In and Out of Prison for 34 years, Never
Convicted Of A Crime
The Nelson Mandela of Kashmir
Date Of Birth: June 14, 1953 Kashmiri Male (Anantnag)
Place of Birth: Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir
Place of Imprisonment: Tihar Jail, Delhi, India
Charges: Never been convicted of a crime
Urgent Health Concerns: COVID-19, severe weakness, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension
Shabir Shah, 67, one of the most popular and respected political leaders in Indian Administered Kashmir, is currently serving out the 35th year of his detention. Born in 1953, Shah was arrested and detained for the first time in 1968 for organizing a protest against the Indian Government to demand self-determination for Kashmiris. In 1993, Amnesty International declared him a Prisoner of Conscience after a thorough investigation. In 1995, Shah was offered the post of chief minister of the autonomous State of Kashmir by then Indian Prime Minister. Shah is also called Nelson Mandela of Kashmir.
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Shabir Shah, 67, one of the most popular and respected political leaders.
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Watch & Share Interview With His Daughter: Seher Shah
“His continuing detention is a tactic to break his resistance. The government thinks that if they keep him away from us and make us all suffer, he will agree to remaining silent. Even though he is concerned about our daughters who rarely see their father, he will not desert his principles.” – Dr. Bilqees Shah, wife of Shabbir Shah
About Shabir Shah
Bio: Leader of the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party. Ghulam Mohammed Varrier, Shah’s father, died in police custody as a Block Development Officer
Immediate Health Concerns: Conditions have worsened in the jails because of Covid-19 (Especially vulnerable because of heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension. Also, severe weakness and back issues because of long periods of imprisonment). Medical reports indicate he should receive immediate attention.
“A high-powered committee constituted to de-congest jails to prevent the spread of Covid-19 has said there is a need to release prisoners on interim bail for 90 days or eight weeks parole in view of the ‘alarming’ and ‘threatening’ situation of the pandemic in the national capital.”
Updates Shabir Shah
- Shabir Shah Urges World Community to Take Notice of Increasing Indian State Terrorism in Indian-occupied Kashmir
- 2023-05-25: India raids and vandalizes Shabir Shah family home
- Justice For All statement on India’s raid & vandalism of Shabir Shah’s house ahead of G20 summit
- A Daughter’s Account Of The Raid On Her Parent’s House
- I just want to save my father’s life!
- Harassing Family Members of Detained Kashmiri Politicians
- I just landed at Delhi airport, but they won’t let me meet my father
Alleged Crime and Imprisonment
Imprisonment: Has spent his life peacefully advocating for the right to Kashmiri self-determination. First jailed at 14 years of age, in and out of prison as a result of organizing protests/dissent against the Indian government.
Alleged Crime: Currently imprisoned because of alleged money laundering from Pakistan to create unrest in Kashmir
Bail: no bail
Real Crime: Advocating for the rights and self-determination of his people
1968
First Detention
At the age of 14, Shabir Shah was detained for over 3 months for organizing peaceful student protests. Afterwards, he resumed his political activities and formed the Young Men’s League. This was the beginning of his journey to and from jail. Shah was re-arrested and jailed for another 8 months.
1971
Second Arrest
Enduring an extensive character assassination campaign, Shabir Shah was arrested for 7 months and accused of being a pro-Pakistan activist. In fact, Shabir was advocating for a free and independent Kashmiri state.
1972
Third Arrest Following Peaceful Demonstrations
Shabir Shah was organizing demonstrations in Jammu, leading to his eleven-month arrest.
1973
Fourth Detainment
Upon release, Shabir protested decisions like the Shimla Agreement: a measure stipulating that Kashmir was a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan, thus denying United Nations or any third-party intervention. As a result, Shabir was re-arrested for another 9 months.
1975
Arrested for Denouncing Kashmiri-Indian Agreement
Signed in 1975, the Indira-Sheikh Accord mandated that Kashmir would continue to be governed by Article 370 of India’s Constitution. Denouncing the decision, Shabir Shah was arrested for 4 months and subsequently for another 30 months.
1980
Beginning of Underground Advocacy
Shabir Shah was re-arrested for 12 months in 1980. After his 1982 release, he was jailed after the People’s League launched the Quit Kashmir Movement. Shabir Shah was later arrested two more times until 1983.
1992
Prisoner of Conscience Declaration
Amnesty International declared Shabir Shah a Prisoner of Conscience. 1995- Offered Chief Minister Post By Indian Government Shah was offered the post of chief minister of the autonomous State of Kashmir by then Indian Prime Minister. A.S. Dulat, former chief of the Indian Intelligence agency RAW and Intelligence Bureau IB, writes in his 2015-book Kashmir:
2017
Money Laundering Case
Arrested yet again on 25 July 2017 in a 2005 case. He has never been convicted for any crimes yet.
2019
National Investigation Agency Arrest
National Investigation Agency took Shabir Shah into custody in June 2019. To date Shah has not been convicted of any crime.
#FreeSahbirShah Demands
Shabir Shah, 67, one of the most popular and respected political leaders in Indian Administered Kashmir, is currently serving out the 35th year of his detention.
- Release him unconditionally since he has never been tried or convicted of any crime despite 34 years of detentions.
- Provide human rights organizations and his family full access to him.
- Release his medical records to the family
- Shift him to Kashmir on house detention
Influence and Recognition
Has been recognized by Amnesty International as a “prisoner of conscience” or in other words, “a person holding political or religious beliefs that are not tolerated by their government.Has been recognized by Amnesty International as a “prisoner of conscience” or in other words, “a person holding political or religious beliefs that are not tolerated by their government.
Quotes:
The traditional Hindu-Muslim brotherhood in Jammu should not get undermined.
Shabir Shah
India is quite aware of the consequences of war but is deliberately trying to keep up the skirmishes on the LOC so as to divert the attention of the world away from the real issue.
Shabir Shah
We do not accept any solution to the Kashmir issue in which the people of Kashmir are not a party.
Shabir Shah
India and Pakistan are definitely parties to the issue, but the major party is the people of the [Kashmir] state, and without their active participation, nothing can be achieved.
Shabir Shah
Books:
- Shabir Shah: A living legend in Kashmir history Book Written by Altaf Hussein
- Voice of Conscience
Video library