Srinagar, Today marks a significant day of protest for Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) and around the globe, as they observe India’s Republic Day as a Black Day. The observance comes amid a complete shutdown in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) to protest India’s ongoing denial of their right to self-determination.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) and other Hurriyat organizations have called for the observance of Black Day. In response, a complete strike is being observed in occupied Kashmir, with anti-India demonstrations and rallies planned in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan, and various global capitals.
Imprisoned APHC Chairman Masarrat Aalam Butt and senior leader Shabbir Ahmed Shah, both detained in India’s Tihar jail, have echoed the call for Black Day observance throughout the territory. Their statements reiterate the widespread discontent and resistance against Indian policies in Kashmir.
APHC leaders and associated parties have criticized India for its oppressive measures, including repression, cordon and search operations, random arrests, and restrictions on businesses and social activities. They urge the people to boycott all Indian celebrations as a symbol of their rejection of Indian illegal occupation and their continued struggle for self-determination.
Stringent security measures have been implemented in IIOJK in the wake of Republic Day, adding to the hardships of the local population. Indian troops have increased checking and frisking in Srinagar and other areas, with checkpoints established on roads and thorough searches of vehicles and pedestrians.
APHC leaders, including Ghulam Muhammad Khan Sopori, Muhammad Yousuf Naqash, Dr Musaib, Fayaz Hussain Jafari, Syed Sibte Shabbir Qummi, and Muhammad Aqib, have conveyed a message to the world that India’s claims of being a democratic nation are undermined by its continued denial of the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination for over seven decades. They assert that the Modi regime has enforced a military siege in Jammu and Kashmir to facilitate its Republic Day celebrations in the occupied territory.
The day’s events reflect the ongoing tension and conflict in the region, highlighting the Kashmiris’ persistent demand for self-determination and their resistance to Indian rule.