MIRPUR: Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) on Thursday observed India’s Independence Day as a “black day” to protest the long-standing and illegal Indian occupation of the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region.
India’s Independence Day was marked by widespread demonstrations in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir condemning the use of force against innocent people in the IIOJK.
Large anti-India rallies were held on both sides of the LoC, underscoring the persistent resentment against New Delhi for its occupation of Kashmir for the past 77 years.
In Mirpur, a major rally brought together people from various walks of life, who passed a resolution calling for India to end its illegal occupation of IIOJK and grant Kashmiris their right to self-determination. The rally also urged India to refrain from any aggression towards Pakistan or Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
Participants in the Mirpur rally expressed their readiness to defend their territory alongside Pakistan’s armed forces if India were to launch any misadventure. They also praised the Pakistani government for its steadfast moral and political support for the Kashmiri struggle.
This year, the observance of India’s Independence Day as a black day was especially poignant due to the August 5, 2019, revocation of Articles 370 and 35-A, which altered the special status of Indian Illegally Jammu and Kashmir and violated UN resolutions. Resolutions passed at the rally condemned this move, citing it as a breach of international norms and a severe aggravation of the region’s suffering.
The rally expressed deep concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in IIOJK, describing the region as the “world’s largest prison.” It reaffirmed solidarity with the Kashmiri people and vowed to continue supporting their struggle for liberation from Indian rule.
The rally also called on the international community, particularly the United Nations, to restore the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and to act urgently to address the humanitarian crisis exacerbated by India’s actions. They urged international organizations, including Amnesty International, the Red Cross, and Human Rights Watch, to ensure the delivery of essential supplies to the besieged population in IIOJK.
Protests and demonstrations against India were also held in various towns and cities in AJK, including Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Kotli, Bhimbher, Rawalakot, Bagh, Palandri, Neelam Valley, Jhelum Valley, and Havaili. Participants from diverse segments of society, including social, political, and public organizations, attended these rallies, wearing black bands and holding black flags to mark the day as a black day.
The ongoing restrictions imposed by India since August 5, 2019, have further intensified the protests and grievances of the Kashmiri people.
