Kashmiris, on both sides of the Line of Control and world over, observed India’s Republic Day as a “Black Day” today to protest against human rights abuses in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

This annual protest is a reiteration of the Kashmiris’ strong resistance against Indian rule, which has denied them their right to self-determination for over 77 years.

Call for the protest was given by the All Parties Hurriyat Conference and other pro-freedom organizations.

The observance of the Black Day also aims to raise awareness about the continued brutalities and custodial killings of innocent Kashmiris by Indian occupying forces.

The day was marked by a complete shutdown in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Posters have appeared across Srinagar and other parts of IIOJK, condemning India’s illegal occupation.

The Indian Republic Day is also being observed as Black Day in Azad Jammu and Kashmir today to convey international community that Kashmiri people will never accept illegal occupation of their state by India in 1947.  

Protest rallies and demonstrations were held at the district and tehsil level under Kashmir Liberation Commission, Hurriyat organizations, pro-freedom organizations and religious parties.

In Muzaffarabad, a protest rally was taken out jointly by the Kashmir Liberation Commission and Pasban e Hurriyat.

Speaker AJK Legislative Assembly Choudhry Latif Akbar led the rally.

The participants wearing black ribbons around their arms marched from Burhan Wani Shaheed Chowk to the United Nations Observer Office and presented a resolution against Indian war crimes.

They also raised anti-India and pro-freedom slogans.

The participants were holding banners and placards inscribed with slogans asking the UN to implement its resolutions and stop India from oppressive and barbaric acts against innocent Kashmiris.

AJK Ministers, Political and Hurriyat leaders, and people belonging to all walks of life participated in the rally.

Addressing the rally, the speakers said that India is not a democratic country but a terrorist country that is persecuting the unarmed Kashmiri citizens in IIOJ&K.

They said for the last seventy-seven years, India has been trying to prove itself as a democratic country by violating all the democratic, political, social and religious rights of the Kashmiri people.