Islamabad: Kashmiris around the world are observing Black Day today, marking the anniversary of the 1947 Indian military intervention in Jammu and Kashmir, which they consider an illegal occupation. The day is characterized by a series of protests, rallies, and seminars across both sides of the Line of Control and globally, aiming to reaffirm the Kashmiri rejection of Indian sovereignty over their homeland.
According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the observance includes a complete shutdown in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), as local communities demonstrate their dissent against Indian rule. The day’s events are a continuation of longstanding grievances that intensified following the revocation of IIOJK’s special status by India’s BJP-led government, a move widely criticized by Kashmiris and international observers alike.
In Azad Kashmir, the regional response includes protest marches and seminars in all district and tehsil headquarters, condemning the initial invasion by Indian forces on October 27, 1947. The state capital, Muzaffarabad, saw significant gatherings as the Kashmir Liberation Commission organized a major protest demonstration followed by a rally.
Other organizations, including Pasban-e-Hurriyat Jammu and Kashmir, Kashmiri Refugees, and various Hurriyat, political, and religious groups, have also coordinated anti-India rallies and seminars. These events reflect the community’s ongoing resistance to Indian policies and their impact on the region’s demographic and political landscape.
Leadership from the region, including President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry and Prime Minister Ch Anwarul Haq, have called on Kashmiris worldwide to voice their protest against India’s actions, emphasizing the global dimension of the Kashmiri struggle for self-determination and justice.