Brussels, August 15 (KMS): The Kashmir Council Europe (KCEU) organized a protest demonstration in front of the Indian Embassy in Brussels to mark the Indian Independence Day, today, as Black Day.
It is important to mention that Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and across the world observe the Indian Independence Day as Black Day on August 15 every year. This year this day is being observed as India has revoked special status of Jammu and Kashmir and Indian occupied Kashmir (IOK) is witnessing a severe situation as curfew has been imposed there for last 11 days.
A large number of people from all walks of life including Kashmiris, Pakistanis and representatives of different organizations based in Belgium and other EU countries attended the demonstration. The participants of the protest raised anti-India slogan Indian condemned the brutalities being committed by Indian troops in occupied Kashmir. It was a unique scene that as Indians were inside the embassy to celebrate their Independence Day, while at the same time, a huge number of Kashmiris and their sympathizers were protesting against anti-Kashmiris behavior of Indian authorities in front of the embassy.
During the protest, a memorandum addressed to the Indian regime was also presented to the embassy. The memorandum called upon the Indian authorities to immediately end curfew in occupied Kashmir and release the Kashmiri political leaders and activists without any delay. It also asked the Prime Minister of India to fulfill the promise of his predecessor, Jawaharlal Nehru, of allowing the people of Jammu and Kashmir decide their political future by themselves.
On the occasion, the KCEU Chairman, Ali Raza Syed said, “We gathered here against Indian recent actions for ending special status of Jammu and Kashmir and starting blockade of occupied Kashmir for last 11 days for committing human rights violations in the disputed territory.”
Expressing solidarity with the people of Kashmir, Ali Raza Syed determined that the peaceful struggle for liberation of Kashmir would be continued. He added that people were facing shortage of food and other necessary items and no one from human rights activities or even journalists were allowed to travel to the occupied territory. Phone and Internet connections are disconnected and there is no contact of occupied land with rest of the world for last ten days, he deplored.
He said that though protection of rights under Indian rule was not real destination of the people of Kashmir but the BJP-led Indian government had attempted to repeal special status and erase identity of people of Kashmir by revoking Articles 370 and 35-A.
Other speakers of the gathering also condemned the recent action of Indian government in Indian occupied Kashmir. They called for end to curfew in the territory and release of the Kashmiri political leaders and activists.
The demonstrators called for immediate international attention on the existing situation in occupied Kashmir. They urged the UN Security Council to take its responsibility on the issue of Kashmir by taking serious action against Indian atrocities in the occupied territory.