RAWALPINDI: Like other parts of the country, the ‘Kashmir Exploitation Day’ was observed in the garrison city on Monday to express solidarity with the people of the disputed territory whose special status was abolished by the Indian government on August 5, 2019.

Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) arranged a photo exhibition to show the brutalities of Indian forces on the people of Kashmir.

Speaking on the occasion, Mushaal Hussein Mullick, who was chief guest, said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had attacked the identity of Kashmiris by abolishing Article 370 and 35A of the constitution.

“Modi’s Hindutva ideology is extremely dangerous for occupied Kashmir where India has also deprived people of their right to protest.”

Photo exhibition, rallies mark Kashmir Exploitation Day in Pindi

“For the last five years, Indian citizens have been given domiciles of occupied Kashmir. Initially, there were one million Indian troops in occupied Kashmir, but now there are over five million Indian citizens as well. Without a sustainable solution to the Kashmir dispute, global peace cannot be realised.” She added that the international community should stop Indian atrocities in the occupied territory.

Member National Assembly Tahira Aurangzaib said Kashmir was the jugular vein of Pakistan.

“Kashmiri people will soon gain freedom from Indian occupation and breathe in an open air,’ she said. “Pakistan will continue its full moral, diplomatic and political support for the just struggle of the Kashmiri people,” she said.

MPA Shazia Rizwan said the abolition of Articles 370 and 35A by India was a low tactic and the world was aware of the negative impacts of India’s unilateral action. The people of occupied Kashmir will achieve freedom, she said.

Director Arts Council Sajjad Hussain, Deputy Director Mohammad Shakoor and others were also present. At the end of the exhibition, a protest rally was taken out on Murree. The participants held placards and were chanting slogans against India and in support of the freedom of Kashmir. A large number of people from the twin cities participated in the rally.

Meanwhile, two walks were organised, one from the office of the district administration Rawalpindi to the district courts square and the second from Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC) office, led by Chief Municipal Officer Imran Ali and District Council Chief Executive Officer Kamran Khan, respectively.

Students, teachers as well as businessmen, lawyers and people from different walks of life attended the walks. The participants held banners and placards inscribed with slogans in support of the Kashmiri people and against India’s aggressive measures.

Addressing the rally, the speakers said that by abolishing the special status of Kashmir on August5, 2019, India had set an example of oppression, tyranny and barbarism in occupied Kashmir.

They said that the true face of India had been exposed to the whole world and the ongoing persecution in Kashmir had become a challenge to the international conscience.

They said that the people of Kashmir had fought all Indian atrocities with perseverance and patience and now the day was not far when the oppressed people will get freedom.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2024