Islamabad, Muhammad Farooq Rehmani, a prominent leader of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference-Azad Jammu and Kashmir (APHC-AJK) chapter, has condemned India’s Republic Day celebrations in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), labeling the day as a ‘Black Day’.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Farooq Rehmani issued a statement in Islamabad today, stating that the people of Jammu and Kashmir vehemently oppose India’s Republic Day festivities. He highlighted their rejection of India’s celebrations, arguing that it contradicts the UN Security Council resolutions on the Kashmir issue.

Rehmani stressed that the Kashmiri population remains committed to their quest for freedom, a right recognized by the United Nations through the principle of self-determination. He noted that locals routinely boycott Indian celebrations in occupied Kashmir and accused India of using military and police force to force participation and misrepresent the situation in the territory to the international community.

The APHC-AJK leader criticized the Indian government, accusing it of being a “racist regime” and citing various human rights violations, including the killing of civilians, targeting of pro-freedom parties, bans on Islamic educational institutions, property confiscations, unjust job dismissals, and persecution of youth and students.

He concluded by declaring India’s Republic Day in Kashmir as nothing more than a ‘Black Day’, referencing the substantial military presence in the region, with over nine hundred thousand forces personnel, which have been stationed there for more than seven decades.

In related statements, Altaf Hussain Wani, another Hurriyat leader, called for the observance of India’s Republic Day as a ‘Black Day’ on both sides of the Line of Control. Meanwhile, Mushtaqul Islam, Vice Chairman of the International Forum for Justice, issued a statement from Muzaffarabad, urging the UN and Organization of Islamic Cooperation to address India’s violation of human rights in occupied Kashmir and to facilitate a peaceful resolution of the dispute.