Kashmiris observe India's Republic Day as 'Black Day'

A protest demonstration was held in front of Diplomatic Enclave, which also houses Indian High Commission, Sunday to express solidarity with Kashmir people who observed India's Republic Day as Black Day.

The protest demonstration was organized on the call of Hurriyat Conference, Azad Jammu and Kashmir in line with the call for observance of the Black Day given by All Parties Hurriyat Conference Chairman, Syed Ali Gilani, and other Hurriyat leaders and organizations including Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.

The protesters were holding placards inscribed with anti-India slogans and expressing solidarity with the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir who have been under server restrictions following Modi government's illegal and unilateral actions of August 25, 2019.

Addressing the rally, the Kashmir leaders of the AJK chapter of Hurriyat Conference condemned the continued atrocities against defenseless Kashmiri people of the occupied valley.

They also blasted the silence of the international community over the worst humanitarian crisis and human rights violations in the occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The protesters pointed out that the Indian government needs not to mark its Republic Day, as the worst human rights abuses and continued detention of the Kashmir leaders, youth and elders has exposed the so-called major democracy.

Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) and across the world observed India's Republic Day as Black Day on Sunday, in protest against India's continued denial of their right to self-determination.

The day was marked with a complete strike in occupied Kashmir and anti-India demonstrations and rallies were held in world capitals, according to reports. In a statement on the eve of Black Day, Minister for Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan Affairs Ali Amin Gandapur said that India is truly an extremist Hindu state in the guise of democracy.

He said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and RSS are working on the Hindu extremist agenda and crushing the rights of minorities in India. He said that the international media has also exposed India's so-called democracy, adding that international community is also expressing concerns over the human rights violations and continued restrictions in the occupied Jammu and Kashmir.