Kashmir Marks Black Day Today Against 78 Years of India’s Unlawful Occupation

78 years have passed since India’s illegal occupation of occupied Kashmir, and the Kashmiri people continue to observe October 27 as Black Day to inform the world about India’s unlawful control and grave human rights violations.

According to historical background, on October 27, 1947, Indian forces occupied Srinagar without any constitutional or moral justification, even though at the time of Partition, Kashmir’s local leadership had decided to accede to Pakistan. Maharaja Hari Singh illegally announced accession to India in exchange for military assistance, after which Indian domination was established in the valley.

Reports indicate that India has deployed nearly one million troops in the Muslim-majority valley, and for the past 78 years, the Kashmiri people have endured severe oppression, blockades, and human rights abuses.

Statistics show that Indian forces have so far martyred more than 200,000 Kashmiris, over 100,000 children have been orphaned, and thousands of women have been subjected to rape and mistreatment. Moreover, more than 170,000 Kashmiris have been arrested, and over 100,000 houses have been destroyed.

On August 5, 2019, India revoked Article 370 of its Constitution, ending Kashmir’s special status, followed by the longest internet shutdown and curfew imposed in the valley.

According to Human Rights Watch, the BJP government is directly involved in atrocities in occupied Kashmir, while Genocide Watch has already warned the world about the possible genocide of Muslims. Amnesty International also declared in February 2023 that the demolition of Muslim-majority areas was an open violation of human rights.

The United Nations has so far passed five resolutions on Kashmir’s right to self-determination, but none have been implemented.

In Pakistan, Kashmir Black Day is being observed today with the renewed resolve that Pakistan stands with the Kashmiri people in their struggle for freedom and that the world must play an effective role against India’s atrocities and illegal occupation.

Read More: PM Shehbaz Announces Reopening of Gas Connections to Domestic Consumers