Srinagar: The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has urged residents of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) to mark August 5 as Black Day, calling for international recognition of India’s actions in the region as illegal occupation. This day coincides with the anniversary of the revocation of Kashmir’s special status by the Indian government in 2019.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the call to observe Black Day was issued through various statements from Srinagar, representing the views of detained Hurriyat leaders, including APHC Chairman Masarrat Aalam Butt and Shabbir Ahmed Shah, who are currently held in New Delhi’s Tihar Jail. These leaders, along with others such as Bilal Siddique, have been vocal in denouncing the changes enforced on August 5, 2019, which they claim violated international norms and drastically altered the demographic and cultural landscape of Kashmir.

The Hurriyat’s statements highlighted the need for protests on August 5 to draw global attention to the ongoing challenges faced by Kashmiris under Indian rule. The leaders assert that the Indian government’s actions on that day in 2019, led by the RSS-backed BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, not only stripped Kashmiris of their autonomy but also infringed upon their political and social rights, transforming the region into what they describe as an “open-air prison.”

The jailed Hurriyat leaders remain hopeful for a future where Indian control over the region ends, advocating for self-determination as sanctioned by United Nations resolutions. Kashmiris globally are expected to participate in the observance of Youm-e-Istehsal, reinforcing their stance against Indian policies in the region.