Imagine living in a place where basic human rights are a distant dream, where peace is an illusion, and where raising your voice against oppression means risking imprisonment without trial. A land where colonialism manifests at every step, where speaking the truth is met with brutal suppression, and where an entire generation grows up without hope for the future. This is not a dystopian novel, it is the reality of Indianoccupied Jammu and Kashmir. Kashmir Solidarity Day is a day of unity with the people of Kashmir. It honors the brave freedom fighters who have sacrificed their lives for their homeland. This day is dedicated to their struggle for liberation and their unbreakable spirit against oppression. The Kashmir issue is rooted in the tumultuous history of the subcontinent’s partition in 1947. When British colonial rule ended, the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, with a Muslim-majority population, was expected to accede to Pakistan. However, in a controversial and disputed move, the then-Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession to India without the will of Kashmiris. This decision set off a series of conflicts, including wars between India and Pakistan and continuous unrest in the region. The United Nations passed resolutions calling for a plebiscite to determine the will of the Kashmiri people, yet these resolutions remain unimplemented to this day. Decades later, Kashmiris continue to suffer under a military occupation that has stripped them of their fundamental rights. India later took the issue to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on January 1, 1948. The UNSC promised a plebiscite to let Kashmiris decide their future. But this promise was never kept. Decades have passed, yet Kashmir’s fate remains unresolved. On August 5, 2019, India revoked Article 370, stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its special status. This move enraged Kashmiris and led to even harsher oppression. India labeled Kashmiri freedom fighters as terrorists while its own image as a secular democracy collapsed on the world stage. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) follows an extremist ideology. Under its rule, minorities, especially Muslims, face growing persecution. They live in fear, deprived of their rights and dignity. Every year, on February 5, people in Pakistan and around the world observe Kashmir Day. First commemorated in 1990, this day is a time to protest India’s brutal policies and stand in support of Kashmir’s freedom. It is also a time for prayers and renewed efforts to help the Kashmiri cause. Kashmir has deep cultural and emotional ties with Pakistan. Yet, it remains the most militarized region in the world. Ordinary Kashmiris are stripped of their basic rights. Their voices are silenced by curfews, forced disappearances, and constant repression. The situation has worsened since the removal of Article 370. Now, Kashmiris are even more vulnerable to exploitation and violence. India continues to violate UNSC resolutions, including 38 (1948) and 122 (1957). These resolutions uphold Kashmiris’ right to self-determination. They also require any change in the region’s status to be reported to the Security Council. India’s actions in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir directly violate these laws. For the people of Kashmir, daily life is an unending ordeal. Freedom of speech is nonexistent, journalists face intimidation, arrests, and violence for reporting the truth. The right to peaceful assembly is denied, with occupation forces regularly using pellet guns and tear gas to disperse unarmed protesters. These pellet guns, notorious for blinding young men and children, symbolize the ruthless brutality of the occupation. Draconian laws such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and the Public Safety Act (PSA) grant occupation forces unchecked powers, including arbitrary arrests, extrajudicial killings, and enforced disappearances. Reports from international human rights organizations document widespread instances of torture, sexual violence, and mass detentions. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have repeatedly condemned these violations, yet the world largely remains silent. Despite the ongoing humanitarian crisis, the response from the global community has been largely inadequate. While some countries have expressed concern, real action remains elusive. The economic and strategic interests of powerful nations often overshadow their commitment to human rights, rendering Kashmir a neglected conflict on the global stage. The double standards of major powers are evident when they champion human rights in some regions while turning a blind eye to Kashmir. However, silence is complicity. The world must acknowledge the suffering of the Kashmiri people and take concrete steps to hold India accountable. International human rights organizations, media, and civil society must continue to amplify Kashmiri voices and demand justice. The role of the United Nations must go beyond rhetoric; it must push for the implementation of its resolutions and ensure that Kashmiris are given the right to self-determination. Pakistan remains committed to exposing India’s oppression on international platforms. It will continue to raise its voice for Kashmir’s freedom and dignity. Kashmir Solidarity Day is a reminder of the sacrifices of the Kashmiri people. It calls on the world to honor its promises and ensure a peaceful resolution.This day is a symbol of the unbreakable bond between Pakistan and Kashmir. The struggle for Kashmir’s freedom continues. And the world must not look away.[CONTINUE] The author is a student ofBS International Relations at the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) and an intern at the Kashmir Institute of International Relations.
