Ashiq Hussain Faktoo

Qasim Faktoo (also known as Mohammad Qasim) is a Kashmiri resistance ideologue and scholar who is known as "Nelson Mandela of Kashmir", on account of his prolonged imprisonment and academic accomplishments in prison. He strongly opposes India's rule in Kashmir and deems India an imperial and colonial power.[1]

Dr. Qasim Faktoo
Born (1967-03-23) 23 March 1967
Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
NationalityIndian
Known forLongest Serving Political Prisoner of Kashmir
TitlePhD
Spouse(s)Asiya Andrabi

As of May 2020 he is in jail since 1993. Faktoo has been accused of being involved in the murder of Hriday Nath Wanchoo, an activist. He was sentenced to life imprisonment until death based on a confessional statement drawn under duress.[2] In July 2001, he was acquitted of the murder charges by the court, under the following observation: "The prosecution has miserably failed to prove the case against the accused persons." But the ruling government prolonged his detention. Many academicians have termed his detention as a "political vendetta".[3][4]

He was released in 1999 for a short span of time. In 2012, Kashmir High Court ruled that he must be imprisoned until death. He earned his PhD in Islamic Studies in the Prison, and had been working from another degree.[5] In 2016, India's Supreme Court rejected the proposition for releasing him.[6]

His wife Asiya Andrabi is also a separatist leader and chairperson of Islamist organisation Dukhtaran-e-Millat.[7]

Education

Faktoo graduated in Commerce from Islamia College Srinagar. He went on to obtain various academic degrees like MA, MPhil in Islamic Studies and Maulvi Fazil from Kashmir University. He has been also awarded PhD in 2006 in Islamic studies.[8]

References
  1. https://www.milligazette.com/news/15396-dr-muhammad-qasim-kashmirs-mandella-completes-24-years-behind-bars/
  2. https://kashmirwatch.com/book-review-dr-muhammad-qasimthe-victim-of-political-vendetta/
  3. http://kashmirdispatch.com/2015/04/30/faktoo-s-incarceration-discussed-in-jnu-seminar/130120/
  4. http://www.milligazette.com/news/15396-dr-muhammad-qasim-kashmirs-mandella-completes-24-years-behind-bars?
  5. "Kashmir separatist leader Faktoo to remain in jail till death: HC". Hindustan Times. 16 November 2012.
  6. "In jail for 23 years, no SC relief for separatist leader Faktoo". Tribune. India. 31 August 2016.
  7. Rasool, Khurram. "The woman we don't know". Kashmirreader.com. Archived from the original on 21 January 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  8. "Kashmir's longest serving prisoner still fighting for his release". Hindustan Times. 1 October 2012. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
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