Deerkot: Institute of Dialogue, Development, and Diplomatic Studies (IDDDS) organized a national seminar titled 'Ashes of Lal Chowk: A Forgotten Inferno - A Way Forward' at Degree College Dheerkot, affiliated with AJK University. The seminar featured an interactive dialogue that concluded after a one-hour-long question-and-answer session, during which students raised a wide range of multidimensional and thought-provoking questions.
Lal Chowk remains one of the most tragic and brutal events in the contemporary history of Kashmir. On that fateful day, the Indian paramilitary force, BSF's 114 Battalion, went on a rampage, setting ablaze the historic icon of Kashmiri resistance-Lal Chowk-in broad daylight. The inferno claimed the lives of 27 innocent men, women, children, and students, and destroyed 82 shops, 3 hotels, and numerous residential buildings. The use of gunpowder and explosive materials to unleash this horror was not merely a show of brute force-it was a calculated attempt to suppress a resilient people by striking at their economic and emotional core. This incident is emblematic of the larger Indian strategy in Kashmir, where hard power has consistently been deployed in a failed attempt to silence legitimate demands for self-determination-a right enshrined in UN resolutions and international law. Lal Chowk is not an isolated incident; it is one among hundreds of catastrophic atrocities committed by occupational forces to subdue Kashmiri aspirations.
Professor Dr. Altaf opened the seminar by asserting that the Lal Chowk massacre serves as a grim reminder: the use of brute force cannot extinguish a legitimate struggle-it only fuels it. He remarked that tyrants across history have tried to suppress voices of reason, but movements rooted in historical truth, like Kashmir's, endure. He warned that India must learn from the fate of the British Empire-though mighty, it eventually fell to the collective will of oppressed peoples seeking liberation. 'Kashmir belongs to Kashmiris,' he said. 'External intruders must remember that colonialism always crumbles under the weight of truth.'
Prof. Yasir Mehmood emphasized that tyranny might wield power temporarily, but history's verdict always favors resilience. He said the Kashmiris are enduring an existential crisis, repeating the cycles of oppression seen under Mughals, Sikhs, Pathans, Dogras, and now Indian extremism. Yet, Kashmir's spirit remains unbroken, and despite incidents like Lal Chowk, ultimate triumph lies with the people.
Shafique Rubani Sahib reminded the audience that freedom is never a low-hanging fruit; it demands sacrifices. He stressed the importance of documenting the Lal Chowk incident as part of Kashmir's collective historical memory to preserve and amplify the pain of a people caught under occupation.
Mr. Yasir urged the youth to harness the tools of peaceful resistance, recognize their responsibilities, and advocate for Kashmir's case in global power corridors. He stressed that our nation is under occupation, and it is our moral duty to present this reality with clarity and dignity
Dr. Waleed Rasool concluded that struggles have crests and troughs, but the key lies in learning how adversaries propagate disinformation against freedom fighters-our national heroes. He emphasized that the Lal Chowk incident is only the tip of the iceberg of the heinous crimes committed by Indian occupational forces. He called on the next generation to build their capacity to internationalize Kashmir's pain, ensuring the world can no longer look away.
The seminar was also addressed by Khushi Mohammad, Showkat Abbasi, Prof. Shafaqat, and others, who echoed the commitment to truth, resistance, and a free Kashmir.