By Asghar Ali Mubarak
Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and around the world will observe Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir on Monday, August 5th, to protest against the Narendra Modi-led Indian government’s illegal and fraudulent actions taken on this date in 2019. The observance of Youm-e-Istehsal is intended to convey to the world that Kashmiris do not accept India’s illegal occupation and reject the Indian government’s moves of August 5, 2019, when it revoked the special status of Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Meanwhile, Kashmiri leaders have urged the Kashmiri people to mark Youm-e-Istehsal as a Black Day to reaffirm their commitment to the UN-recognized right to self-determination.
In Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), Kashmiri leaders have called on the people to observe August 5 as “Youm-e-Istehsal” to mark the fifth anniversary of India’s revocation of the territory’s special status. The leaders have urged the international community to take effective notice of India’s actions in the occupied region. The purpose of observing Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir is to convey to the world that Kashmiris do not recognize India’s illegal occupation and reject the unilateral and unlawful Indian move to abrogate the special status of the occupied territory.
The Kashmir issue is recognized as crucial for achieving sustainable peace and stability in the region, in accordance with UN resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. On August 5, 2019, the Indian government took the significant step of dividing the occupied territory of Kashmir into two federal units instead of maintaining it as a single state. Additionally, non-locals were granted the right to purchase land, which has altered the demographic balance in the valley. Furthermore, India has imposed a stringent military siege to suppress any resistance from Kashmiris against its oppressive measures, a situation that remains in place.
Youm-e-Istehsal is observed on the day when the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir declared a strike in response to India’s amendments to its constitution under Sections 370 and 35A. According to the principles of the partition of India, occupied Kashmir is rightfully part of Pakistan. However, the region has been subjected to ongoing oppression by India. Our Kashmiri brothers and sisters have faced severe violence, including the use of pellet guns, which has led to numerous individuals being blinded and martyred. While the United Nations has promised the right of self-determination to the Kashmiris, international silence has grown over time. Nevertheless, the Kashmiri people have remained resolute, standing against oppression from a young age.
The substantial presence of Indian soldiers in occupied Kashmir should be a wake-up call to the world. India is attempting to alter the demographic composition of occupied Jammu and Kashmir by issuing domicile certificates to 30 to 40 million non-Kashmiris. This illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir is a manifestation of the RSS’s Hindutva ideology. Currently, India is exacerbating the situation through its oppressive measures and state terrorism, which contravene international laws and values. The ongoing inhumane military siege attempts to change the demographic balance, and widespread human rights violations are contributing to a humanitarian and security crisis in Jammu and Kashmir, posing a threat to regional stability. The people of South Asia yearn for peace and stability, which can only be achieved through meaningful consultation and dialogue between India and Pakistan.
While the current Pakistani government has demonstrated a commitment to peace, it has stated that negotiations will not proceed until India reverses the actions taken on August 5, 2019. Pakistan remains steadfast in its promise to its Kashmiri brothers and sisters, actively advocating on every international platform until the global community addresses this issue. It is incumbent upon the international community to highlight the severe human rights abuses in occupied Jammu and Kashmir and to work towards ending the unilateral and illegal occupation established on August 5, 2019. The illegal measures undertaken by the Indian government constitute clear violations of human rights and international law. Such actions perpetuate the humanitarian crisis in occupied Kashmir and exacerbate regional instability.
The Indian government’s rhetoric and hostile measures are designed to continue this crisis, further undermining the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination. The Kashmiri population has resolutely rejected the Modi government’s policies, marking a significant moral victory for the people of Kashmir. The brutal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir by India represents not only a violation of international law but also a fundamental disregard for universally recognized human rights principles. India continues its persecution in Kashmir, and it is imperative that the international community does not remain silent on this issue. Since August 5, 2019, Jammu and Kashmir has been effectively transformed into an open-air prison. The human rights and aspirations of the Kashmiri people have been systematically violated, and they continue to make enduring sacrifices in resistance to India’s illegal and oppressive domination.
(The writer is a senior journalist covering various beats, can be reached at news@metro-morning.com)
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