British Kashmiris stage protest outside Indian Consulate

BIRMINGHAM:

In a powerful show of solidarity, British Kashmiris gathered outside the Indian Consulate in Birmingham to protest against the oppressive actions of the Indian government in the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir.

The demonstrators, who were carrying placards and raising slogans, expressed their outrage over the continued Indian occupation of Kashmir and the Modi-led government's oppressive policies towards the Muslim-majority population of the region.

The protest was led by Fahim Kayani, president of the All Parties International Kashmir Coordination Committee and Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK. Kayani addressed the crowd outside the consulate, condemning the actions of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government and calling attention to what he described as a systematic campaign to alter the demographic makeup of Jammu and Kashmir in violation of international law.

Protesters condemned the Modi government for its increasing restrictions on the Muslim population of Kashmir, particularly in relation to religious freedom during the holy month of Ramazan.

Of particular concern was the restriction placed on Eid celebrations in occupied Kashmir. Occupation forces prevented Kashmiri Muslims from offering Eid prayers at Srinagar's historic Jamia Masjid, one of the most revered religious sites in the region. The forces also raided the homes of prominent pro-freedom leaders and activists, intensifying the sense of repression felt by Kashmiris under Indian rule.

Fahim Kayani, during his speech, highlighted that the Modi regime had been implementing policies aligned with the ideology of Hindutva, which he described as a racist, neo-fascist, and neo-Nazi political movement.

Kayani accused Modi of deliberately attempting to change the demographic composition of the region by enacting new laws that allow non-Kashmiri Hindus to settle in the region, while marginalizing the local Muslim population. These actions, Kayani argued, are part of a larger scheme to turn the Muslim-majority state of Jammu and Kashmir into a Muslim-minority state, thus violating the Fourth Geneva Convention and international human rights laws.

Alongside Kayani, several other prominent figures from the Kashmiri diaspora and human rights groups expressed their concerns. They issued a joint statement during the protest, accusing India of being the "biggest violator" of United Nations resolutions and international law.

In their statement, the group called for the urgent international recognition of the war crimes being committed by Indian forces in occupied Kashmir. They condemned the arbitrary detention of political leaders, the use of excessive force against peaceful protesters, and the ongoing restrictions on basic freedoms in the region.