Kashmiri activist Ghulam Nabi Fai declared ‘proclaimed offender’ in India
Kashmiri-American advocate faces legal action under anti-terror law amid growing scrutiny of diaspora voices
WASHINGTON/ SRINAGAR (MNTV) — An Indian court has declared Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, a prominent Kashmiri-American political advocate, a proclaimed offender under the country’s anti-terror legislation, in a move activists say reflects India’s growing crackdown on Kashmiri dissent beyond its borders.
The order was issued by a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Budgam district, Indian-administered Kashmir, following a plea from Jammu and Kashmir Police.
Fai, a U.S. citizen currently residing in Washington, has been given 30 days to surrender to authorities, Indian media reported.
The case, filed in 2020 under multiple sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), accuses Fai of supporting banned groups and engaging in activities deemed “anti-national” by the Indian government.
The court’s designation comes as part of a broader trend of using counterterrorism laws to pursue political dissidents, both within India and in the diaspora.
According to police statements cited in the court order, Fai is “deliberately concealing himself in the U.S.”
Authorities in Budgam, his place of origin, have now initiated formal proceedings to label him as evading justice.
Fai, who graduated from Aligarh Muslim University and moved to the United States in 1977, is known internationally for his advocacy of Kashmiri self-determination.
He founded the Washington-based Kashmir American Council and has long served as a liaison between Kashmiri civil society voices and U.S. political leadership—across both Democratic and Republican administrations.
Over the years, Fai has maintained close ties with pro-freedom leaders in Indian-administered Kashmir and has regularly spoken at global forums addressing the disputed region’s future.
Indian authorities have alleged links between him and the banned Jamaat-e-Islami group—an accusation that aligns with New Delhi’s increased criminalization of Kashmiri political movements.
The proclamation raises fresh concerns about India’s use of sweeping anti-terror laws like UAPA to silence critics and stifle advocacy efforts related to Kashmir.
Rights groups have frequently criticized the law for its vague definitions and harsh penalties, which they argue enable the state to target dissent under the guise of national security.
While legal proceedings are expected to continue, the broader implications raise critical questions about transnational activism, freedom of expression, and the global dimension of the Kashmir conflict.
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