Kashmir ( The COW News Digital )On the sixth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A by the Indian government, Kashmiris around the world are observing August 5 as Black Day, condemning what they describe as India’s illegal annexation of the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir.
In the Indian-occupied territory, a complete shutter-down strike has been called by Hurriyat leaders, accompanied by protest demonstrations to denounce the unconstitutional revocation of Kashmir’s special status by the Modi administration on August 5, 2019. The move violated not only the Indian constitution but also United Nations resolutions and bilateral agreements.
Following the abrogation, India imposed one of the world’s longest communication blackouts, suspending internet and phone services for over a year and a half. According to the Kashmir Media Service, more than 21,000 Kashmiris have been arrested, and over 1,100 properties have been destroyed in the region since August 2019.
Events and rallies are being held in Pakistan and Azad Kashmir in solidarity with the oppressed Kashmiris. Human rights advocates and legal experts have reiterated that the unilateral move by India severely undermines the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination and poses a serious threat to regional peace and stability.
Speaking to the media, Mashal Malik, the wife of jailed Hurriyat leader Yasin Malik, urged the global community to unite in raising their voice for the people of Kashmir. She emphasized that Kashmiris have already sacrificed much and will continue their struggle for freedom despite India’s repressive tactics.
Political analysts and opposition figures within India, including Congress MPs, have described August 5 as a “dark day” in the country’s constitutional history, warning that the decision eroded India’s secular and federal fabric.
Observers also note India’s demographic reengineering tactics in the valley. The revocation of Article 370 has been followed by aggressive changes in domicile laws, granting over 5 million non-locals Kashmiri residency. The government is reportedly planning a new Hindu-majority division in the region comprising districts like Kishtwar, Anantnag, and Kulgam.
Laws like the Jammu & Kashmir Language Bill, Forest Rights Act amendments, and Development Acts are seen as part of a sinister strategy to alter the region’s Muslim identity.
As the world watches, Kashmir remains a flashpoint where the struggle for justice, dignity, and freedom continues unabated.
