MUZAFFARABAD: Kashmiris will observe India’s Republic Day on Wednesday as black day by holding anti-India and pro-freedom demonstrations in almost all urban centres of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and elsewhere in the world to condemn denial of their internationally-acknowledged right to self-determination, reports emerged on Tuesday.

In Muzaffarabad, a walk would be held before noon from Burhan Wani Chowk to Garhi Pan Chowk apart from some other events under the aegis of different governmental and non-governmental organisations to mark the day.

According to PTI president and senior minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas, “over the past 75 years in general and after Aug 5, 2019 in particular the bloodthirstiness and savagery let loose by India in occupied Kashmir under the cover of draconian laws had no parallel in any other subjugated part of the world.”

“However, come what may, India will fail to quell the quest of Kashmiris for freedom. How can India celebrate a republic day when it had usurped the inalienable right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people at the strength of its military might as well as in brazen disregard to its own commitments before the comity of nations,” Mr Ilyas said.

Published in Dawn, January 26th, 2022