Srinagar – Kashmiris are observing Black Day today, August 15, as India marks its 78th Independence Day. The protest is in response to what is described as the illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir by Indian forces.
Hurriyat leaders have called on the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) to use this day to demonstrate against New Delhi’s unlawful control of the region. Several leaders of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) have been imprisoned in New Delhi’s Tihar Jail for advocating Kashmiris’ right to self-determination. Among them are prominent figures such as Shabbir Shah, Nayeem Ahmed, and Masarrat Aalam Butt, who continue to voice their opposition to India’s presence in the valley, citing violations of international law and United Nations resolutions.
These leaders stress that India has no legitimate or moral grounds to celebrate its Independence Day in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, where the struggle for freedom and justice remains unresolved. APHC leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to the long-promised plebiscite and expressed hope that the day of freedom is nearing for the people of Kashmir.
In a strong message from Srinagar, the APHC urged residents to observe August 15 as a day of protest, highlighting India’s continued failure to address the Kashmir issue and the ongoing repression in the region. The leaders emphasized that the international community should take note of the plight of Kashmiris and support their right to self-determination.
