QUETTA: The Hindu community of Balochistan has decided to celebrate the Diwali festival, falling on Sunday (today), with simplicity to express solidarity with the Kashmiri people.

Announcing the decision on Saturday, Adviser to the Chief Minister on Minorities Affairs Danesh Kumar said the Hindu community of Balochistan supported the Kashmir cause and right of self-determination of the Kashmiris.

“The entire Hindu community is standing side by side with Pakistan Army and the Kashmiri people in their struggle for the right of self-determination,” Mr Kumar said.

He said the Hindu community condemned India’s move to revoke the special status of occupied Kashmir and said that the unilateral decision was entirely against the United Nations resolutions.

“We ask the United Nations and international community to take immediate action against the illegal and prolonged lockdown of occupied Valley of Kashmir and lift curfew,” he said.

In reply to a question, he said special prayers would be arranged on Diwali in all temples of the province for the success of seven decades old struggle of Kashmiri Muslims for the right of self-determination.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2019