Demonstrations mark Indian Independence Day as ‘Black Day’
MUZAFFARABAD: Kashmiri activists held demonstrations in different parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Saturday to observe India’s Independence Day as a ‘Black Day’, protesting against New Delhi’s refusal to grant the people of Jammu and Kashmir their right to self-determination.
The main rally and public demonstration were organised by the AJK chapter of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) in state capital Muzaffarabad.
Carrying black flags, banners and placards, the participants marched through the city’s main thoroughfare, raising anti-India slogans and demanding implementation of the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
The rally was jointly led by APHC convener Ghulam Mohammad Safi, Sheikh Jameel-ur-Rehman, Advocate Parvez Ahmed Shah, Uzair Ahmed Ghazali, Raja Sajjad Latif, Gohar Ahmed Kashmiri, Raja Mohammad Arif Khan and Ghulam Hassan Butt.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Safi said Aug 15 remained a Black Day for Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control.
“Kashmiri people completely reject Indian occupation and demand complete freedom,” he said, alleging that New Delhi was using military force to suppress the political and democratic rights of Kashmiris.
Sheikh Jameel said India had lost any moral justification to celebrate its independence while denying Kashmiris their right to self-determination.
Advocate Shah said that despite decades having passed since Aug 15, 1947, the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remained unresolved. He said the political future of the disputed territory should be decided through the free will of its people. Mr Ghazali said the struggle would continue until an end to what he called Indian occupation, adding that Kashmiris were seeking fulfilment of commitments made to them through UN resolutions.
Other speakers said the demonstrations across AJK were aimed at drawing international attention to the Kashmir dispute. They reiterated their resolve to continue what they described as a peaceful political and democratic struggle for their rights.
Published in Dawn, August 16th, 2026
