Asiya Andrabi convicted under UAPA, how the arc of justice is long, but it ends in prison for enemies of the nation

Asiya Andrabi, founder of the banned Dukhtaran-e-Millat (DeM), has long advocated for Kashmir’s secession from India and alignment with Pakistan was convicted under UAPA Sections 18 (conspiracy for terrorist acts) and Section 38 (membership in a terrorist organization), along with charges of waging war against India and criminal conspiracy.

Her ideological alignment with Syed Ali Shah Geelani, the hardline separatist leader, was evident in their shared pro-Pakistan stance within the All Parties Hurriyat Conference.

DeM operated as a constituent of Geelani’s group, with Andrabi mobilizing women for protests and enforcing strict Islamic codes.

Their collaboration peaked during the 2010 unrest, where both endorsed slogans glorifying Lashkar-e-Taiba’s Hafiz Saeed and demanded Indian forces’ withdrawal.

Kashmir banega Pakistan – The UPA “soft-era”

Terrorist Andrabi’s Pakistan links are well-documented: she maintained direct contacts with former PM Nawaz Sharif, ISI officials, and terrorist Hafiz Saeed, receiving funds for separatist activities. Her nephews were arrestedin Pakistan for terror ties, underscoring her anti-India cross-border connections.

During the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) era (2004-2014), Andrabi operated with relative impunity despite multiple arrests under the Public Safety Act (PSA).

➡ These detentions, often for inciting violence or anti-India speeches, were short-lived, ending due to political and judicial interventions.

➡ Critics argue this reflected UPA’s “soft” policy toward separatists, prioritizing dialogue over military action.

➡ The 2013 incident, where Andrabi attended a meeting at the Pakistan High Commission with Pakistani advisor Sartaj Aziz and Hurriyat leaders, exemplifies this anti-India approach.

➡ It was a “diplomatic blunder” caused by the separatists favoring UPA for allowing anti-national activities on Indian soil.

UPA’s approach of roundtable conferences, backchannel talks, and engagement with separatists aimed at de-escalation but was in reality a move for emboldening figures like Andrabi, Masarat Alam and Yasin Malik.

Behind bars: Separatists after 2014

• This contrasted sharply with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government’s post-2014 crackdown. In 2018, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Andrabi under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for terror conspiracy and funding.
• Similar actions targeted other separatists: Yasin Malik, Shabir Shah, and Masarat Alam faced prolonged custody.
• Outfits like Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (MLJK), DeM, Awami Action Committee (AAC) and Tehreek-e-Hurriyat (TRH) banned.
• The 2019 abrogation of Article 370 reaffirmed BJP’s unwavering stance that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India, ending special status and paving the way for integration.

The contrast is clear: UPA’s dialogue-first approach allowed separatists to thrive, while BJP’s zero-tolerance policy has dismantled terror networks and strengthened India’s sovereignty over Kashmir. These developments underscore the BJP’s resolve to protect national integrity against divisive forces.

The arrests of Kashmiri separatist leaders like Asiya Andrabi, Yasin Malik, Shabir Shah, and Masarat Alam under the BJP-led government mark a decisive victory for India’s national security and unity.

By invoking stringent laws like UAPA, the BJP government has dismantled networks funded by Pakistan, curbing terror financing, incitement to violence and anti-India propaganda that plagued the region for decades.

These actions have reduced unrest, boosted investor confidence, and facilitated development projects in Jammu and Kashmir, post-Article 370 abrogation.

Making a paradigm shift from appeasement to accountability, India no longer negotiates with separatism, it defeats it.