A Walk on

Kashmir Solidarity Day

Organised By

MUSLIM Institute

February 05, 2020

MUSLIM Institute organized a Kashmir Solidarity Walk on Wednesday, February 5, 2020, from China Chowk to National Press Club, Islamabad in solidarity with Kashmiris. Purpose of the walk was to raise voice against brutal lockdown of Jammu & Kashmir since August 5, 2019 and resolution of Kashmir issue. Participants of the walk were holding placards and banners highlighting siege of Kashmir by Indian forces, atrocities of Fascist Modi Government, tribute for the struggle of Kashmiris, solidarity with them, condemning state terrorism and especially illegal demographic terrorism to suppress the right of self-determination of Kashmiri people. Moreover, placards highlighted the required role of the United Nations Security Council to stop the violence and brutality in Indian Occupied Kashmir. Banners also highlighted the need of urgent intervention by the international community to resolve Kashmir Issue through the practice of the right of self-determination as promised by numerous UNSC resolutions. Chairman Senate Committee on Defense Production Lt. General (R) Abdul Qayyum, Former Minister for Social Welfare and Women Development in Azad Jammu & Kashmir Ms. Farzana Yaqoob, Brig (R) Abdul Rehman Bilal, Social Activist from Kashmir Ms. Shameem Shal, American Social Activist Cynthia D. Ritchie, Program Manager MUSLIM Institute Ahmad Raza and Representatives of All Parties Huriyyat Conference were leading the walk. A large number of people from civil society, social and political personalities, former ambassadors, university teachers and students, lawyers, journalists and individuals from different walks of life participated in the walk.

Speakers expressed their views regarding the grave situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir. Indian Occupied Kashmir is under complete lockdown since August 5, 2019. There is media blackout and internet services are also cut down. Kashmiri leadership has been jailed and Indian brutal forces are kidnapping innocent civilians. Indian forces are not allowing journalists and observers to visit the areas in which they are committing severe human rights violations. Children and women are also not safe as the schools have been shut down from last 6 months and women are being raped at the hands of Indian Occupied Forces. It is the worst form of oppression being committed on the earth in modern times. Indian State terrorism is unjustified. The Indian Government has moved a step further by committing war crimes in IOK. Hospitals are not functioning in IOK which is a war crime according to First and Fourth Geneva conventions. Killings of unarmed civilians account for genocide. International human rights organizations should take notice of severe violations of basic human rights by the Indian state apparatus.

Kashmir is a disputed territory under the resolutions of the United Nations and it is one of the oldest issues on the agenda of the UN. According to United Nations Resolutions, India promised Kashmiris the right of self-determination under the umbrella of United Nations Security Council. Later on, Indian leadership averted back from its promises and started declaring Kashmir as its integral part. The UN resolutions clearly endorse the plebiscite in the presence of a neutral observers and Kashmiris will be free in choosing their future. Indian dogmatism has been the sole impediment regarding the failure in implementing UN’s resolutions. Owing to the cultural and ideological association between Kashmiris and Pakistanis, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah declared Kashmir as the jugular vein of Pakistan.

Since the RSS backed BJP Government has come into the government, they are implementing extremist ideologies of RSS. Not Only Kashmiris but all the Muslim are also under threat in India which is quite evident from Revocation of article 370 and 35 A, Citizenship Amendment Act, Babri Mosque Ruling and lynching of minorities in India. This fascist government is also openly threatening to attack Pakistan even using nuclear weapons. Indubitably, Kashmir is a nuclear flashpoint and peace of whole South Asia is linked with peace in Kashmir. Therefore, the international community should take this issue seriously.

Article 370 and 35A are itself illegal but that served as a shield to protect Kashmiri’s distinct Identity. Not to speak of the compliance of UN Security Council Resolutions and giving the right of self-determination to Kashmiris, the Fascist Modi Government abrogated the article 370 under which state of Kashmir was given special status. Repeal of the special status of Kashmir is an attempt to bring demographic transition in Kashmir. Now, people from other states of India can colonize in Kashmir without legal barriers which will eventually affect the majority status of Kashmiris. This demographic terrorism by illegal settlements of Hindus in IOK and committing genocide of Muslims is mechanizing the alteration of Muslim majority in IOK which is quite evident from the reduced ratio of Muslims in past decades.

Kashmiris are determined in their freedom movement. They are not ready to surrender their struggle for freedom. Due to extremist and fascist policies and atrocities against minorities, India is on the edge of disintegration. Current acts regarding citizenship in India has sparked widespread protests in India. Not only Muslims but other minorities are also strongly lodging protests against these barbaric acts. Speakers emphasized that it is high time for the international community especially the OIC to play its role to stop India from committing large scale genocide as hundreds of thousands of Kashmiris already have sacrificed their lives. Currently, there is an acute shortage of food and medicine in the IOK which should be resolved at the priority. International media should highlight the lockdown of Kashmir and the human rights violations of India. Furthermore, speakers also stressed that the Indian aggression against Pakistan will be dealt with heavy hands in case the Indian government tried for any misadventure.