Kashmir Black Day

Kashmir Black Day (27 October 2023) observed by Pakistanis and Kashmiris across the world

On 27 October 2023, Pakistanis and Kashmiris across the world solemnly observed the Kashmir Black Day.  It was indeed on the fateful day of 27 October 1947 that the Indian Occupation Forces entered and occupied the princely State of Kashmir as part of the Indian grand design aimed at regional expansionism by denying the Kashmiris, their right to self-determination. To this day, Kashmiris have continued with their noble struggle for their right to self-determination enshrined in the UN Security Council resolutions for emancipation from Indian occupation of their territory.

The significance of the Kashmir Black Day has further increased since India’s illegal actions of 05 August 2019 in respect of IIOJK, when the Indian Government abrogated Articles 370 as well as 35 (a) of its own Constitution followed by enforcement of a new “Domicile Law” in 2020, whereby India not only removed the special status granted to the occupied territory but also attempted to change the existing demographic pattern in the IIOJK. Since 05 August 2019, around 18,000 innocent Kashmiris have been arrested; over 680 Kashmiris martyred; over 2275 people injured; 102 children orphaned; 125 women molested; and 1096 houses as well as other buildings arsoned in IIOJK.

The international community, international human rights organizations, and particularly the United Nations and its human rights mechanism should take cognizance of the human rights violations being committed by Indian Occupation Forces in the IIOJK and ensure peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions as well as the wishes of the Kashmiri people.