India's Republic Day: India no longer republic

Throughout the world, and most distinctly in occupied Jammu & Kashmir, India's Republic Day on January 26 was observed as 'black day'. And it was expected to be so given the world rejection of Modi establishment's deepening obsession to convert India, which is constitutionally a republic, into a Hindu monolithic nationalist state. There were rallies against Modi's revocation of occupied Jammu & Kashmir's autonomous status and enactment of a law aimed at delisting Muslims as citizens of India. In London, hundreds of Kashmiris and Sikhs protestors observed a 'black day' by gathering outside the Indian High Commission - as British government had turned down Indian request to ban the rally. The protestors called Indian government's celebrations "hypocritical as it continues to impose a curfew and communications blackout in the occupied territory to suppress dissent". In many other cities across the globe there were also anti-India protests and, quite significantly, actively participated by members of the Sikh diaspora. But, the most impressive show of boycott of Republic Day was held in Occupied Jammu & Kashmir. According to India's highly credible newspaper The Hindu, "The roads in city [Srinagar] were sealed by police and paramilitary forces and only vehicles with special passes were allowed to move freely, leading to boycott of the main official function. With three former chief ministers - Farooq Abdullah, Omar Farooq and Mehbooba Mufti - in detention the only prominent face at the function was BJP president Ravinder Raina". In India itself, on that very day, there were more people on streets protesting the citizenship and registration laws than those who were celebrating the so-called Republic Day.

As of today, India is no more a republic. Under Narendra Modi India tends to be a one-party state ruled by extremist Hindu nationalists, in line with a Hitlerism mindset. That's why there is the growing apprehension about BJP-controlled India's expansionistic designs in the region, particularly in the context of Pakistan. India's army chief's remark that he is ready to "claim" Azad Kashmir is patently absurd. And then there is likelihood of an armed conflict between two nuclear powers. The other day Prime Minister Imran Khan warned that unresolved Kashmir is a ticking nuclear bomb, and asked the world powers not to underestimate perilous potential of the Modi mischief in occupied Jammu & Kashmir. And, there are early signs of his call being registered in the world capitals. The latest in that respect is the EU member-states' move to debate and vote on a resolution against India's annexation of Jammu & Kashmir in violation of the UN Security Council resolutions and the country's enforcement of an anti-Muslim citizenship law. The resolution, which is likely to be put to a vote later this week, has been moved by Renew Europe Group, which comprises liberal members from a number of member-states. Urging India to repeal the discriminatory amendments to its citizenship law the draft resolution says the new law "violates India's international obligations to prevent the deprivation of citizenship on the basis of race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin as enshrined in the ICCPR and other human rights treaties". The resolution also takes notice of violence at the Jawaharlal Nehru University where the "police witnessed the attack [on students by BJP goons] but refused to control and arrest the mob". Earlier this month, several diplomats from the EU had rejected an invitation by Indian authorities for a visit to occupied Jammu & Kashmir, saying they were not interested in a "guided" tour and wanted to meet people 'freely'. So far so good, but things must move at a quicker pace.