Islamabad, Kashmiris, straddling both sides of the Line of Control and scattered across the globe, are gearing up to observe Kashmir Black Day tomorrow. This day serves as a reminder and condemnation of India’s military occupation of Jammu and Kashmir on October 27, 1947, perceived by Kashmiris as an illegal move and one that went against the very ethos of the Subcontinent’s Partition Plan.

According to a news release by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the origin of this observance traces back to the moment Indian troops set foot in Jammu and Kashmir, an action viewed as a breach of the Partition Plan’s spirit. Subsequently, the region was annexed, a move contrary to the wishes of the Kashmiri populace.

In Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, this day will witness a complete halt, as people plan to observe a shutdown and impose a civil curfew. This sentiment of resistance and remembrance will resonate in various parts of the world, with planned protest marches, rallies, and seminars. The goal of these events is twofold: to decry the initial occupation by Indian forces in 1947 and to express outrage at the recent revocation of the region’s special status by the Indian government in August 2019.

The capital city, Islamabad, will not remain silent either. A protest walk is scheduled outside the Parliament House. This demonstration expects participation from federal ministers, representatives from the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, and individuals from various societal sectors.