Muzaffarabad: Azad Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Information Technology, Sardar Zia-ul-Qamar, has stated that India lacks justification to celebrate its Republic Day in the context of the ongoing denial of fundamental rights to 15 million people in the region.

According to a statement by Kashmir Media Service, Sardar Zia-ul-Qamar remarked to the media on the eve of Black Day that India’s leadership has failed to honor its commitment to the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination, thereby violating international laws and basic human rights.

He criticized Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of leveraging religious extremism and electoral malpractice to win elections. The minister contended that Modi’s adherence to the RSS agenda has resulted in severe oppression of Kashmiri Muslims and made life difficult for minorities across India. Moreover, he argued that the revocation of Kashmir’s special status contradicts United Nations and Security Council resolutions.

Sardar Zia-ul-Qamar further criticized India’s actions against the shrine of Ajmer Sharif, calling it a cultural and historical provocation. He claimed that India’s legal actions against the shrine, which he described as an emblem of peace and love, have hurt the sentiments of its citizens.

Highlighting the observance of India’s Republic Day as Black Day by Kashmiris worldwide, he asserted that the denial of the right to self-determination undermines India’s democratic claims.

The minister also mentioned Pakistan’s potential participation in an “Undivided India” event organized by India’s Meteorological Department, which previously released a contentious map of the region. He urged the Government of Pakistan to consult Kashmiri leadership before making decisions regarding participation, emphasizing that the sacrifices of Kashmiris should not be compromised.

Sardar Zia-ul-Qamar concluded by addressing the environmental challenges faced by Azad Kashmir, noting that climate change has significantly disrupted the region. He called for a redefinition of priorities to address these pressing issues.