Islamabad: Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) and world over observed India's Republic Day, as Black Day on Sunday to protest persistent denial of their democratic right to self-determination by India.
Call for the protest was given by the All Parties Hurriyat Conference and other pro-freedom organizations. The day was marked by a complete shutdown in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, along with anti-India rallies in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan, and key global cities.
These actions will send a clear message to the international community that India, as the occupier of Kashmiris' fundamental rights, has no moral or legal standing to celebrate its Republic Day in the territory.
Meanwhile, heightened restrictions in the name of security measures have compounded the already dire conditions faced by the Kashmiris.
In a message from New Delhi's notorious Tihar jail, incarcerated APHC Chairman Masarrat Aalam Butt condemned India's military presence in Jammu and Kashmir as illegal, unconstitutional, and a violation of international law.
Prime Minister Azad Jammu and Kashmir Chaudhry Anwarul Haq said that India is perpetrating war crimes in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
He was addressing a rally organized by All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Kashmir Chapter in Islamabad on Sunday. Chaudhry Anwarul Haq said Kashmiris are observing India's Republic Day as Black Day today to lodge protest against Indian illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir.
The AJK Prime Minister said that minorities in Modi's India neither enjoy religious freedom nor their places of worship are safe. He said Modi regime itself is involved in the killing of Sikh leaders in Canada and after covering up its crimes, it is busy in doing propaganda against Pakistan.
He reaffirmed that Kashmiris will continue their struggle for their right to self-determination as enshrined in the United Nations Resolutions.
He also urged international media to quit dual-standards and expose the atrocities being perpetrated in IIOJ and K. Chaudhry Anwarul Haq thanked Pakistan for continuously extending its moral, diplomatic and political support to Kashmiris.
He said Pakistan and Kashmir have an eternal relationship. On this occasion, the participants of rally also chanted slogans 'Kashmir Banay Ga Pakistan, Hum Pakistani Hain and Pakistan Hamara Hy'.
Meanwhile, on the occasion of Indian Republic Day, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference protested in front of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. A large number of people including Kashmiri men, women and children participated in the protest in Islamabad. The protesters called India a fascist country.
Protesters said that India has denied all human rights in Occupied Kashmir, India's playing the tune of democracy is proof of double standards. They said that India is a terrorist state, the world should file a case of terrorism against the Indian state, India has slaughtered minorities in India, not only Kashmir, despite this, India should be ashamed of celebrating the Republic Day. They said that we are grateful to the government and people of Pakistan for their strong support to Kashmiris. Indian terrorism has reached America and Canada, they warned.
Emir Jamaat-e-Islami Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan Dr. Muhammad Mushtaq while addressing the protest said that India can no longer delay giving Kashmiris the right to self-determination, the Arab world should take full care of the rights of Kashmiri people. Dr. Mushtaq said that Kashmiris' struggle for freedom deserves the immediate attention of the international community, adding the lasting solution of the Kashmir issue should be in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations.
All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Kashmir and Pakistan Convener Ghulam Muhammad Safi also addressed the participants of the protest demonstration.