Kashmiris rally in UK to remind world of India’s growing terrorism in IIOJK
London: The international community was reminded once again of India’s illegal occupation of Kashmir as Kashmiris, Pakistanis, and their allies took to the streets across the UK to mark Black Day against New Delhi’s actions in the territory.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the demonstrations recalled India’s grave violation of international law when it deployed troops to occupy the UN-designated disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir on October 27, 1947.
The protests began outside the British Prime Minister’s Office at 10 Downing Street, London, and continued to the Indian High Commission. Fahim Kayani, president of Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK and the All Parties International Kashmir Coordination Committee (APIKCC), led the demonstrations.
“India continues to illegally occupy the UN-designated disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir and obstruct the implementation of UN resolutions calling for a plebiscite in the region,” said Kayani.
Kayani and others submitted a petition addressed to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Indian High Commission, urging him to prepare for a UN-mandated plebiscite in Kashmir.
“We reject India’s illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir and condemn its military forces for committing crimes against humanity and war crimes in the region,” Kayani stated.
He emphasized that the Black Day protests coincide with India’s “full exposure” for extraterritorial crimes and transnational terrorism. “The Indian regime and its agencies have been implicated in murder, hooliganism, organized crime, money laundering, and drug trafficking,” he said, referencing recent cases filed against RAW agents in the US and Canada.
Kayani also remarked, “The day is not far when India will face charges of war crimes and genocide in the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.”
Inam ul Haq, APIKCC secretary-general, expressed solidarity with Kashmiris, describing their movement as a legitimate, internationally backed struggle for liberation from illegal Indian occupation. He condemned India for imposing “graveyard silence” in Jammu and Kashmir through arrests and defamation of pro-freedom individuals.
“India must repeal draconian laws in Kashmir, including AFSPA, PSA, and UAPA, which violate international human rights standards,” Haq said, adding that a trilateral dialogue involving the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Pakistan, and India is essential to advance Kashmir’s right to self-determination. “Demilitarizing the region is necessary to prevent further environmental damage and human loss,” he added.
Ghulam Muhammad Safi, convener of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, and Zafar Qureshi, a native of Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, also addressed the demonstrators over phone.
Tehreek-e-Kashmir organized additional rallies and conferences in major European cities, including Oslo, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Glasgow, and Brescia. During his speech, Muhammad Ghalib, president of Tehreek-e-Kashmir Europe, highlighted issues such as fake encounters, arbitrary arrests, property destruction, and media suppression in Kashmir.
With a new administration governing Jammu and Kashmir, residents are hopeful for improved power supply during the harsh winter months.
