27 October: Kashmir Black Day and the unfulfilled promise of self-determination
Syeda Fatima Gardazi
Every year on 27 October, Kashmiris observe Black Day, commemorating the day in 1947 when Indian forces invaded Jammu and Kashmir, marking the start of an enduring conflict. This day remains a potent symbol of unfulfilled promises, the denial of self-determination, and the beginning of what Kashmiris perceive as an occupation. The events of that time are not mere historical footnotes but continue to shape the daily lives and struggles of Kashmiris, keeping their cause alive in the consciousness of both regional and international politics.
The immediate context for 27 October lies in the so-called Instrument of Accession signed by Maharaja Hari Singh, the then-ruler of Jammu and Kashmir. Kashmir, a Muslim-majority region, was acceded to the Indian Union by the Maharaja without the consent of its people. He sought military assistance from India to suppress any resistance. The terms of the accession were supposed to be temporary, with the future of Kashmir to be decided through a plebiscite, where Kashmiris would choose between joining India or Pakistan.
However, this plebiscite never occurred. For Kashmiris, the accession was illegitimate—an act carried out by a ruler who no longer represented their will. The right to self-determination, enshrined in the United Nations Security Council resolutions, remains a promise unkept. India’s continued control over Kashmir, without allowing the promised referendum, is central to why 27 October is remembered as the start of a betrayal.
From a broader international perspective, 27 October can also be seen as a turning point in the post-colonial struggle for power and territory in South Asia. The partition of British India had already created deep political, religious, and territorial rifts between the newly formed states of India and Pakistan. Kashmir, with its majority-Muslim population and a Hindu ruler, became a focal point of this broader struggle for dominance in the region. The entry of Indian troops into Kashmir on 27 October, under the pretext of the Instrument of Accession, symbolized the extension of post-colonial power politics where the fates of millions were tied to competing nationalist narratives.
What makes this date so significant, more than seventy-seven years later, is that the issues it represents are far from resolved. Occupied Jammu and Kashmir remains one of the most heavily militarized regions in the world. The region has been at the heart of two of the three wars between India and Pakistan, and even today, skirmishes across the Line of Control are frequent. The conflict has claimed thousands of lives, with reports of human rights violations becoming a persistent narrative from the occupied region.
Kashmiris continue to demand their right to self-determination, and the heavy presence of Indian forces is often seen as a method of suppressing those demands. The memory of 27 October is therefore not just about the past; it is a reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and autonomy, a struggle that continues to claim lives and destabilize the region.
While the Kashmiri cause resonates strongly within Pakistan, internationally, the issue has struggled to gain the attention it once had. Over the years, global powers have largely viewed Kashmir through the lens of broader geopolitical considerations, including maintaining strong economic and strategic ties with India. India’s growing influence on the world stage, particularly in terms of its economy and military, has made it easier for global actors to sideline the issue of Kashmir.
Yet, despite this international indifference, the day retains its powerful significance for Kashmiris. The grievances rooted in the events of 1947 continue to fuel resistance, protests, and even armed struggle in the region. The global failure to resolve the Kashmir issue, particularly the lack of implementation of UN resolutions, has only deepened the sense of injustice among Kashmiris. The silence of the international community contrasts starkly with the cries for help from a people who feel forgotten.
The revocation of Article 370 by the Indian government in August 2019 has only made the significance of 27 October more pressing. The article had given Jammu and Kashmir special autonomy, allowing the state to have its own constitution and a degree of self-governance. The Indian government’s decision to revoke this status without consulting the Kashmiri people was seen as an attempt to integrate the region fully into India against the wishes of its population.
For many Kashmiris, this was yet another moment of betrayal, echoing the events of 1947. The move has been followed by widespread crackdowns, curfews, and communication blackouts, further alienating the Kashmiri population. The heavy militarization, combined with these political moves, has intensified resentment and kept the conflict alive in both political and personal memories.
For Kashmiris, 27 October is not just a day of remembrance but a lived reality symbolizing decade of Indian military occupation, human rights abuses, and political suppression since 1947. The trauma from that initial occupation remains, intensified by the continued denial of their right to self-determination and the international community’s failure to address their plight. Observed as Black Day, this date resonates deeply, not only marking historical injustice but highlighting a present, unresolved conflict that impacts the region’s peace and stability. Until Kashmiris are granted the right to decide their own future, 27 October will persist as a powerful reminder of their ongoing struggle for justice and freedom.
Syeda Fatima Gardazi is student of International Relations at National Defence University Islamabad and intern at Kashmir Institute of International Relations
