Islamabad, The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) is rallying people both in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir and around the globe to mark October 27 as Black Day. The observance seeks to stress the need for an urgent resolution of the Kashmir issue to prevent potential global conflict, especially given that the region is enveloped by three nuclear-armed nations.
According to a news release by Kashmir Media Service, the origin of this observance traces back to October 27, 1947. On this date, Indian troops invaded and occupied Jammu and Kashmir, actions that starkly contradicted the subcontinent’s Partition Plan and flew in the face of the wishes of the Kashmiri populace.
Ghulam Ahmed Gulzar, the senior vice Chairman of APHC, while addressing the situation, affirmed the Conference’s call to Kashmiris worldwide to commemorate the forthcoming Black Day. He underscored that, although Kashmiris have been persistent in demanding their legitimate right to self-determination, India’s heavy-handed measures have stymied their voices. Gulzar painted a grim picture of a region transformed into a militarized zone, where disappearances, custodial deaths, and daily torment have become the norm.
Moreover, the statement highlighted that for over four years, Kashmiris have endured the oppressive presence of one million troops. These forces have been described as wreaking havoc on Kashmiri society. Adding to this, the Modi-led government’s relentless efforts to instill its Hindutva ideology threatens the native identity, culture, and demographics of Kashmir. Drawing a parallel, the statement suggested that the current regime, in imitating Israel’s strategies, is erasing Kashmiri’s rights to their land, resources, and cultural heritage.
Expressing fraternity with the Palestinian struggle, Gulzar urged the global community to intervene in the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and halt Israel’s aggressive actions. He highlighted that the Kashmir and Palestine situations are long-standing issues on the UN’s docket. These unresolved matters jeopardize global peace, especially if both regions’ inhabitants are not afforded their right to self-determination. The territorial ambitions of both India and Israel, Gulzar cautioned, imperil global tranquility.
Recent reports indicate that posters promoting the Black Day observance on the upcoming Friday have emerged in various regions, including Srinagar. Concurrently, statements from APHC leaders Devinder Singh Behl, Hilal Ahmed War, Shafiqur Rehman of the Jammu and Kashmir National Front, and APHC-AJK’s Altaf Wani emphasized that the day marks a dark episode in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. They paid homage to the sustained efforts and significant sacrifices made by the Kashmiri populace over seven decades in their quest for self-determination. They also expressed deep concern about the deteriorating health of Kashmiri political leaders currently held in various prisons in India and IIOJK.