TOKYO: The Kashmiri Diaspora is set to observe August 5, 2023, as a black day to mourn the Indian government’s abrogation of the special status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in 2019. The Tokyo-based Kashmir Solidarity Forum (KSF) of Kashmiris will lead the protest to register their strong opposition against India’s actions.
Chairman of KSF, Shahid Majeed Sheikh Advocate, announced that Kashmiris living in different countries, including Japan, will hold protest rallies on August 5 and August 15. The protests aim to expose what they call “the true ugly face of India” before the world, with the Kashmiri community referring to India as an “international terrorist country.”
In his statement, Shahid Majeed expressed grave concerns over the situation in IIOJK, where he said Indian occupational forces have turned the region into the world’s largest prison. He pointed out that India’s scrapping of the special status through the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A was firmly rejected by the Kashmiri people, who are determined to continue their struggle for freedom.
Massacre of Kashmiris By Indian Forces
Shahid Majeed further highlighted the alleged planned massacre of innocent Kashmiris by Indian forces after the forced and illegal actions in the occupied territory. He also voiced concerns about the settlement of non-Kashmiri extremist Hindus from various parts of India in Kashmir, which he considers a matter of grave concern and a wake-up call for the international community, especially the United Nations Organization (UNO) and human rights forums.
The Kashmiri Diaspora leader urged the international community to support sincere efforts to peacefully resolve the Kashmir issue, aiming to establish everlasting peace in the region.
The observance of August 5 as a black day by Kashmir’s Diaspora serves as a powerful reminder of their opposition to India’s actions and their continued struggle for self-determination in the disputed region.
