President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry, has declared August 5, 2019, as the “darkest day” for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, marking India’s unilateral abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A, which stripped the region of its special constitutional status.
In a strongly worded message on Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir, Barrister Sultan accused the Modi-led Indian government of attempting to illegally alter the geographical and constitutional identity of occupied Jammu and Kashmir, intensifying its decades-long campaign of state-sponsored terrorism and brutal oppression.
“Since that day, India has escalated its atrocities against the unarmed Kashmiri population,” said the AJK President. “But despite the heightened repression, the Kashmiris continue their peaceful freedom struggle with courage and unwavering resolve.”
Barrister Sultan Mahmood emphasised that India’s ambitions to forcibly integrate Kashmir into its union have been rejected outright by the Kashmiri people, who demand the right to self-determination in line with United Nations resolutions.
He also criticised India’s global image, saying, “While India claims to be a secular democracy, its actions in occupied Kashmir and its treatment of minorities within its own borders expose the hypocrisy of that claim.”
The President hailed the Pakistani armed forces for giving a strong response to Indian aggression, resulting in India being compelled to accept a ceasefire. “We pay tribute to our forces for defending the dignity of Kashmir and crushing Indian misadventures,” he added.
Barrister Sultan further urged Pakistan to capitalise on past international mediation offers, particularly the one made by former US President Donald Trump, and stressed that any future India-Pakistan dialogue on Kashmir must include Kashmiri representation at the negotiating table to reach a comprehensive and lasting resolution.
“The Kashmiri people will not accept any solution that involves division of the region,” he declared. “Only a UN-mandated plebiscite reflecting the will of the Kashmiris can lead to peace.”
Calling upon the international community, the AJK President demanded global intervention to halt the ongoing human rights abuses, demographic changes, and state-sponsored violence in occupied Kashmir. He said it is time for the world to break its silence on India’s actions under Modi, both in Kashmir and against minorities across India.
“Our struggle will continue until every inch of occupied Kashmir is free from Indian occupation. It is our moral duty to raise our voice for the oppressed Kashmiri people,” Barrister Sultan concluded.