Kashmiris, along with their global supporters, set to observe October 27 as a black day, marking the day in 1947 when Indian forces unlawfully entered Srinagar. This event has come to symbolize a history of occupation, subjugation, and oppression for the people of Kashmir. The annual Black Day is a solemn occasion to protest India’s illegal occupation and remind the world of its commitments to implementing United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Kashmiri self-determination.
Protest in Srinagar:
Posters calling for the observation of October 27 as a black day have appeared in various localities of Srinagar. These posters, displayed by organizations such as the All-Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) and others, describe October 27, 1947, as the darkest chapter in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. They emphasize the Kashmiris’ unwavering commitment to their right to self-determination, as promised by the international community.
People have urged to stand against the Indian BJP-RSS government’s Hindutva agenda in Kashmir. India has been altering the education curriculum and dismissing Muslim employees in pursuit of this agenda, which is a point of concern for many in the region.
Social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, and WhatsApp, being use to raise awareness about Kashmiris’ right to self-determination and to highlight the illegal Indian occupation of the valley.
Protest in Muzaffarabad:
In Muzaffarabad, under the auspices of the Shuhada Foundation Jammu and Kashmir, a massive protest rally planned at Burhan Chowk to denounce the illegal occupation. Prominent leaders of the movement scheduled to address the participants.
Protest rallies, seminars, and conferences planned in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan, and around the world to condemn the invasion in 1947 and the revocation of the territory’s special status on August 5, 2019.
Historical Background:
India landed its army in Srinagar on October 27, 1947, based on the so-called accession deal with Maharaja Hari Singh, effectively occupying the region against the will of its people. This marked the beginning of a prolonged period of human rights violations in the territory, with a significant number of casualties.
The people of Kashmir continue to endure the consequences of events that unfolded in October 1947. Currently, India maintains approximately one million troops in Kashmir, rendering it the most militarized zone in the world.
This observance of Black Day on October 27 serves as a stark reminder of the unresolved issues surrounding Kashmir and the continued struggle for self-determination in the region.