August 5th, this year marks the sixth anniversary of India’s revocation of the special status of the disputed region of illegally occupied Kashmir. On this day, Kashmiris living on both sides of the Line of Control, their sympathizers living in Pakistan, and Kashmiris around the world observe this day as Black Day. Especially in Pakistan, this day is observe as a ‘Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmis’ (Day of Exploitation). The most miserable day in the history of IIOJK was when the sun of 5th August arose with the new hardship and difficulties for Kashmiri’s, who have already been living under the shadow of the gun for decades. This is the day when the fascist Modi government revoked Articles 370 and 35A of the Indian Constitution and abolished the statehood of occupied Jammu and Kashmir and declared it a territory under the Indian Federation. These articles gave Kashmiris hope that they would be able to decide their own fate. And under them, they will have the legal right to purchase other immovable property, vote for state assemblies, receive government jobs, scholarships and other benefits. And the suspension of these articles deprived Kashmiris of all rights.
Narendra Modi’s occupation of Kashmir in 2019 is to fulfill Jawaharlal Nehru’s dream. And in these circumstances, Modi is playing Holi with the blood of Muslims, Kashmiris are being slaughtered day and night, and the honor of their women is being violated. In various states of India, Muslims are being evicted by demolishing their houses and being told that if they want to live in India now, they will have to support Modi.
While various restrictions have been imposed to curb the resistance of Kashmiris under a planned and hidden agenda, they are still in place and continue to besiege the entire valley. To hide human rights violations, its communication system has been cut off from the world and no foreign journalists are allowed to go there so that people from other countries cannot see Modi’s atrocities on Kashmir. And it has become impossible for children to reach educational institutions and for patients to go to hospitals to get medicines. However, in this environment of fear and oppression, Kashmiris are forced to bury the bodies of their loved ones in their courtyards.
The region of Jammu and Kashmir has effectively turned into the world’s most heavily militarized area, resembling a vast open-air prison. In response, members of the Pakistani and Kashmiri diaspora have actively highlighted Indian human rights violations and advocated for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination at various international platforms. They continue to stress that the Kashmir dispute must be resolved in line with the relevant United Nations resolutions.
The BJP led government in India has revealed its inclination toward Hindutva driven politics, which not only undermines the political identity and historical fabric of Kashmir but also threatens regional stability and the broader international order grounded in norms of sovereignty, self-determination, and human rights. Under its current leadership, India has adopted a more revisionist and hegemonic posture, aiming to alter the status quo through coercion and military aggression.
In an effort to deflect global attention from the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), India has initiated a systematic disinformation campaign aimed at discrediting Pakistan. This includes falsely accusing Pakistan on international platforms, even as credible evidence presented in Pakistan’s dossier exposes India’s involvement in state sponsored terrorism and hybrid warfare against Pakistan. Further validation comes from the EU DisinfoLab, which uncovered an extensive network of fake NGOs and media outlets being used to manipulate global opinion and mislead institutions like the United Nations and the European Parliament.
Indian forces are taking advantage of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and the Public Safety Act (PSA), etc. to commit atrocities on Kashmiris and arbitrarily arrest any Kashmiri for an indefinite period. Kashmiris are being subjected to atrocities through phosphorus bombs and chemical weapons to end their struggle for freedom. It is noteworthy that Western media and human rights organizations like the UNO have repeatedly condemned the atrocities and human rights violations that are ongoing in IIOJK.
Kashmiri people have proven with their courage and perseverance that no matter how many atrocities are inflicted on them, they will not back down from their struggle for freedom.
–The writer is a student of International Relations at the International Islamic University Islamabad and an intern at KIIR. He is a keen observer and is passionate about sharing thoughtful reflections on society and culture.
