London, January 27 (KMS): British Kashmiris coming Luton, Slough, Ashbury, Chesham, Woking, High-Wycombe, Watford, Manchester, Nottingham and other cities of the United Kingdom observed the Indian Republic Day as Black Day.
A symbolic demonstration against continued occupation of Jammu and Kashmir was staged outside Indian high commission at Aldwych in London.
The demonstrators were carrying banners and placards demanding of India to quit Kashmir and the International community to save humanity and redeem the right to self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The demonstration was organised by Kashmir Centre London and was led by Chairman Centre Prof. Nazir Ahmed Shawl, President Advisory Council Raja Mohammed Ayub, and Choudhry Member AJK Assembly Tariq Farooq.
Besides others, the demonstration was attended by Member Legislative Council AJK Chaudhry Mohammed Khan, former AJK minister Mohammed Riaz, Sabir Hussain-Co-ordinator Kashmir Centre, Shoaib Akbar Nazish, Jehangir Shabbir Nadvi, Raja Ishaq Khan, Zubair Kiani and former Mayer Riaz Butt.
On this occasion, an appeal was made to the international community which reads:
“Kashmiris all over the world and living on both sides of the ceasefire line observe 26th January, the Republic Day of India as a black day, because in spite of promises commitments and resolutions India continues to deprive the people of Jammu and Kashmir of their basic rights.
The occupation of Kashmir remains a stain on the Indian conscience. The hypocrisy of today is plain to see-on the Republic day — to the inhabitants of Kashmir, who deal with the reality of Indian military rule on a daily basis, it is a day loaded with cruel reminders of their never — ending oppression. When will the right to self- determination for the people of Jammu and Kashmir be reinstated? When will government recognise that the only way to achieving peace in Kashmir is through acknowledging the right for the Kashmiris themselves to decide their own political future? Why is so hard for the biggest “so called” popular democracy in the world to allow the people of Kashmir to exercise their individual and collective rights.”
An atmosphere completely free of violence, repression and grave human rights abuses should be ensured in Indian – held Jammu & Kashmir. This transformation needs a bold initiative such as complete demilitarisation of occupied state of Jammu and Kashmir. An atmosphere free of violence could be conductive for chalking out a political future in the disputed state. We hope that the international community will take cognisance of the UN Resolution No. 122 of 24th January, 1957 which reads:
‘Reminding the governments and authorities concerned of the principle…that the final disposition of the State of Jammu and Kashmir will be made in accordance with the will of the people expressed through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite conducted under the auspices of the United Nations …Reaffirms the affirmation in its Resolution 91 (1951) and declares that…any action that Assembly may have taken or might attempt to take to determine the future shape and affiliation of the entire state or any part of thereof, or action by the parties concerned in support of any such action by the Assembly, would not constitute a disposition of the State in accordance with the above principle.’
On this black day, we the Kashmiris appeal for the explicit support of international community to bring to an end the atmosphere of suffering and denial in the occupied state of Jammu and Kashmir”.
