City turns black for Kashmir

Indian Independence Day marked as black day to protest atrocities

LAHORE: To express solidarity with Kashmiris, the Independence Day of India was observed as ‘Black Day’ across Punjab, the Line of Control (LoC) and occupied Kashmir.

As per the government’s decision, flags on all public buildings, such as the Punjab Governor House, Punjab Assembly, Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Town Hall, Lahore High Court, Lahore Museum and other government offices, were flown at half-mast. The protest was against the illegal move of the Indian government to abrogate Article 370 of the Indian Constitution and strip occupied Kashmir of its “special status”.

Black flags were also hoisted on many public and private building in protest. Several rallies, walks and seminars were held in different cities of the province, but mainly in the provincial capital.

The aim was to make the global community aware that the Hindu nationalist government of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made the lives of minorities in India miserable.

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Protesters – including religious and political leaders, traders, the youth, women, and people belonging to different walks of life – chanted slogans against India and the Modi government. They were wearing black bands around their arms. while holding Kashmir and black flags. They also carried banners, panaflexes and placards inscribed with slogans against India brutalities. Many pointed out that a strict curfew had been imposed in Kashmir and there had been a blackout for the last 10 days.

A large number of people participated in the main “Kashmir Solidarity Rally”, which was jointly led by Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar and Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi; wife of Huriat leader Yasin Malik, Mishal Malik; Pakistan Muslim League’s Kamil Ali Agha, Pakistan Awami Tehreek’s Khurram Nawaz Gandapur, Majlis Wahdat-ul-Muslimeen’s Raja Nashir Abbass, provincial ministers, members of parliament, representatives of religious and political parties and minority groups also participated in the rally.

The rally commenced from Punjab Governor’s House and concluded at Faisal Chowk in front of Punjab Assembly. Participants of the rally chanted slogans like “Kashmir will become Pakistan, “Kashmir is the jugular vein of Pakistan”, and “India is a terrorist”, “down with terrorism.”

Addressing the Kashmir Solidarity Rally, leaders underscored that the entire Pakistani nation was standing in support of Kashmiri brethren till the last drop of their blood. “Kashmir will reach every forum, including the United Nations’ Security Council, and we will expose India’s plans in front of the whole world,” they maintained. “Today, Muslims across the world are with Kashmiris and in protests outside India embassies across the world.

Addressing the rally, Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar said that Narendra Modi was the butcher of Gujrat and is now killing Kashmiris. “No minority, including Muslims, are safe in India.”

He underlined that India was capable of doing anything, but would ultimately have to yield to resolving the Kashmir issue as per UN resolutions. “Today, the people of Pakistan have sent the message to India that they are standing with Kashmiris.

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“We will not hold back from any sacrifice. The day is not far when Kashmir will become Pakistan and Indian atrocities will end forever.”

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar said that the enthusiasm of the participants to show solidarity with Kashmiris against the atrocities of India on the occasion of the Black Day is unprecedented. “Today, there is only one slogan on the tongues of every Pakistani and that is “Kashmir will become Pakistan”.

For the past 70 years, he pointed out, India was trying to suppress the voice of Kashmiris by using hundreds of thousands of soldiers, guns and bullets. However, their resolve is still alive, he added.

Buzdar also announced that a road and public park will be named after Kashmir in every division to express solidarity. He hoped that Kashmiris would celebrate Independence Day with Pakistan next year.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that the face of Modi had been exposed in front of the world. “After 50 years, the case of Kashmir has reached the UN Security Council and we have told American representatives that India is trying to divert the attention from the Afghan peace process,” the foreign minister said. “

Today, I want to convey to all the political parties that this is no time to shine politics. We have to stand united on the Kashmir cause so that the message is delivered to India and rest of the world. The Kashmir issue has to be resolved according to UN resolutions and we are with Kashmiris.”

Mishal Malik said that today Pakistan’s Kashmiri brothers and sisters were burning and heaps of atrocities are being inflicted on them. “India is making life difficult for Kashmiris and the India army is mass killing Kashmiris. It is the need of the hour that the UN and all international organisations stand and relieve Kashmiris of Indian atrocities.

She said the bond with Kashmiris is not only of blood, but also of the soul. “After the death of Burhan Wani, India imposed a curfew for five months. The day is not far when Kashmir will be independent and Kashmiri people will get their birth right of self-determination.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 16^th, 2019.