The Black Day in held Valley

Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and across the world would be observing the Indian Independence Day on August 15 as a black day to convey the message to the international community that India has usurped their inalienable right to self-determination. Protest rallies are to be held in the territory and in the world capitals to highlight different dimensions of the Kashmir dispute and Indian atrocities against the innocent Kashmiris. 

As it is, at least 200 people have been killed in the Valley since July 2016 when Burhan Wani, a young man who protested against the Indian hegemony, was brutally gunned down by the Indian forces. Not only that, more than 12,000 people have been injured at the hands of Indian forces, 1,000 have lost vision in one eye after being hit by pellets and many have been totally blinded. Tens of thousands of youth have also been arrested.

Last year, like the years before, a complete strike was observed in the Indian Held Kashmir on August 15 on the call of Hurriyat leaders, including Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. In Srinagar, Pakistani flags were waved in several areas despite a curfew. All Kashmiri leaders had been put under house arrest. 

On the other hand, January 26, India’s Republic Day, is also observed as a black day by the Kashmiris. On January 26, 1950, India adopted a constitution to declare it a sovereign republic. Veteran separatist leader Shabir Shah Geelani says: “There are no takers here for the talk of resolving this issue within the framework of Indian Constitution.” Independent MLA Sheikh Abdur Rashid, also known as Engineer Rashid, has stated that talks within the framework of Indian constitution are possible only if the “Indian Parliament amends the constitution and incorporate right to self-determination for people of Kashmir.”

Given the grave nature of the unresolved Kashmir issue, the dispute remains a ticking time bomb in the region. Unfortunately, the world has so far not realised it.

Interestingly, this year Dal Khalsa, the main Sikh organization, has also called upon the Sikh community to boycott the Indian independence day celebrations and not to recite Indian National Anthem as according to the organization these verses do not represent the independent stature of the Sikh community. 

Addressing a press conference, Dal Khalsa spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh said that the current Indian state under Narendra Modi is transforming towards more centralisation and more Hinduization. The leaders of pro-freedom group gave a call for boycott of celebrations as “there was no reason for Sikhs to celebrate Aug 15”. 

Citing the continued loot of river waters, misuse of colonial-era archaic sedition laws to stifle dissent and harass dissenting people across the board, lynching of Dalits and Muslims in the name of cow protection and denial of right to self determination to the people of Punjab, the Dal Khalsa declared that the independence of Punjab was the only solution for its people to protect their distinct identity.

The spokesman said on Aug 15 while Indians celebrate their freedom, Sikhs would observe it as a black day. “The rulers of the country were worried about the protection of cow, but ironically they treat human beings especially dalits and minorities in an inhumane way,” he said. He said the Kashmir and Punjab problem both were cases of broken promises, adding that the Indian leadership has betrayed and ditched both the communities. 

It is abundantly clear that the model New Delhi used to control and run the held valley for seven decades is no longer viable. The anger against India and its occupation of the Valley manifests itself continuously as shown by the resistance in the valley.