Birmingham: British Kashmiris gathered outside the Indian Consulate in Birmingham to protest against the actions of the Indian government in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The demonstrators expressed their outrage over the continued Indian occupation of Kashmir and the Modi-led government’s policies toward the Muslim-majority population.

The protest, led by Fahim Kayani, President of All Parties International Kashmir Coordination Committee and Tehreek-e-Kashmir, UK, condemned the actions of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.

Protesters voiced their concerns over increasing restrictions on the Muslim population of Kashmir, particularly regarding religious freedom during Ramadan. The restriction on Eid celebrations was highlighted, as occupation forces reportedly prevented prayers at Srinagar’s historic Jamia Masjid. Raids on the homes of pro-freedom leaders and activists were also noted.

Fahim Kayani accused the Modi government of implementing policies aligned with Hindutva ideology, which he described as a political movement aimed at changing the region’s demographic composition by permitting non-Kashmiri Hindus to settle in the area.

In a joint statement, expatriate Kashmiris called on the international community, especially human rights organizations, to raise their voices against what they termed as grave Indian crimes against humanity in the occupied territory. They accused India of committing war crimes and detaining thousands of Kashmiris, including Hurriyat leaders and activists, in jails and detention centers.