Washington, 28 October 2023: Digital trucks circulating central Washington, DC, broadcasted messages spotlighting the contentious actions of India in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
According to a news release by Kashmir Media Service, these trucks disseminated messages such as “From Kashmir to Palestine: Occupation is the crime” and “Kashmiris Reject Indian Occupation: UN Resolution only Solution” as they traversed vital locations. This included Capitol Hill, The White House, The Department of State, The Washington Monument, various embassies, and the Embassy of India, among other prominent locations. Rented by the ‘World Kashmir Awareness Forum’ (WKAF), the campaign aimed to engage diplomats, observers, and the American public in the issue.
Dr. Ghulam Nabi Mir, President of WKAF, contextualized the campaign’s timing with the observation of October 27 as the Black Day in Kashmiri communities worldwide. He cited the historical events of 1947, emphasizing the day’s significance. Mir discussed the tumultuous circumstances under which India assumed control of Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting the plight of those displaced during that period and drawing comparisons to the Nakba of Palestine in 1948.
Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Chairman of World Forum for Peace and Justice, raised concerns about the global response, or lack thereof, to the ongoing conflict. Questioning the influence of the international arms industry on foreign policies, Dr. Fai called for a reevaluation of India’s long-held position on Kashmir.
Dr. Imtiaz Khan, a professor at George Washington University Medical Center, pointed out the similarities between the situations in Kashmir and Palestine. He emphasized the ongoing efforts to alter Kashmir’s religious and demographic balance and called for stronger international intervention.
Sardar Zarif Khan, Advisor to the President of Azad Kashmir, reflected on the pain experienced by Kashmiris due to the occupation, noting the state’s transformation into a region of suppression. He specifically mentioned Khurram Parvez and Yasin Malik, questioning the reasons for their incarcerations.
Prominent figures such as Sardar Zulfiqar Roshan Khan, Raja Liaqat Kiyani, Sardar Aftab Roshan Khan, Shoaib Irshad, Shafiq Shah, Khalid Faheem, and Tahseen Hussain also voiced their concerns and shed light on the current situation, underscoring the importance of the messages displayed on the digital trucks. Many called for a more inclusive negotiation process and urged global powers to uphold their commitments, stressing the dire need for a solution that resonates with the Kashmiri populace.