SRINAGAR: Posters appearing across Indian illegally-occupied Jammu and Kashmir have once again urged the people to observe August 5 as “Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir” or the Day of Exploitation of Kashmir.
The call, made by various Kashmiri freedom organizations, aims to mark the second anniversary of the revocation of Article 370, which granted special status to the internationally recognized disputed territory.
On August 5, 2019, the Modi-led Hindutva regime took a contentious step and unilaterally revoked Article 370, effectively removing the region’s autonomous status. This decision was followed by the imposition of a severe military and police siege, leading to widespread human rights violations and unrest in the region, according to Kashmir Media Service.
The posters prominently displayed pictures of illegally detained All Parties Hurriyat Conference leaders, including Massarat Alam Butt, Shabbir Ahmed Shah, Muhammad Yasin Malik, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Aasiya Andrabi, and Nayeem Ahmed Khan. These images serve as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by Kashmiris against the actions of the Indian government.
Various organizations, including APHC, Jammu Kashmir Political Resistance Movement, Jammu and Kashmir Justice and Peace Initiative, and several others, expressed their rejection of the illegal and unilateral Indian actions taken on August 5, 2019.
The posters convey the demands of the masses in Jammu and Kashmir, including the reversal of the actions taken on August 5, 2019, and a resolution of the Kashmir dispute in line with the United Nations resolutions. Furthermore, they call for the release of all political detainees and an end to the human rights violations perpetrated by Indian troops in the region.
Among the appeals made in the posters, the Indian judiciary is urged to give an urgent hearing and disposition to the representations brought before the courts. The restoration of the illegally revoked Article 370 and 35A to the people of Jammu and Kashmir is also fervently called for.
In a plea to international human rights organizations, the posters implore them to send assessment teams to Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The aim is to independently evaluate the ground situation and the impact of the prevailing conditions on the mental health of the residents, as well as those affected by injuries, detention, or loss of life.
The posters emphasize the historical context, highlighting that on October 27, 1947, India illegally invaded Jammu and Kashmir against the will of its people. Subsequently, on August 5, 2019, the region’s special status was revoked and integrated into the Indian Union.
The call to observe “Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir” on August 5 serves as a collective remembrance and expression of dissent by the people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir against the actions that have significantly impacted their lives and rights. It amplifies their demand for a just resolution to the longstanding Kashmir dispute, rooted in the principles of international law and human rights.
