ISLAMABAD: Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) and all over the world are observing Youm-e-Istehsal today (Tuesday) to mark the fifth anniversary of the Modi regime’s illegal action taken on this day in 2019 and to show solidarity with the Kashmiris.
The observance of Youm-e-Istehsal, by the people of Kashmir and Pakistan, is aimed at conveying a message to the world that the Kashmiris do not accept India’s illegal occupation and reject illegal moves of Aug 5, 2019 when it repealed the special status of the occupied Kashmir.
The Modi regime in gross violation of the United Nations resolutions and international law scrapped Articles 370 and 35A of the Indian Constitution that granted special autonomous status to the occupied Kashmir and imposed military siege in the territory.
Through the revocation of the said articles, people from the rest of India gained the right to acquire property in India-held Kashmir and settle there permanently. Kashmiris, as well as critics of India’s Hindu nationalist-led government, saw the move as an attempt to dilute the demographics of Muslim-majority Kashmir with Hindu settlers.
In response to the controversial move, the government of Pakistan designated Aug 5 as Youm-e-Istehsal in 2020. This day is now observed annually in Pakistan as a reaction to Kashmir’s status change.
It was on this day in 2019 that India unilaterally and illegally stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its special status through amendment to its constitution, the action which has since then been rejected by the international community, Kashmiris, and Pakistanis alike.
According to Kashmir Media Service, since August 5, 2019, more than 1,100 properties have been set on fire and over 21,000 Kashmiris have been imprisoned by the Indian occupation forces. The Modi regime revoked the autonomous status of Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir and intensified the military siege.
After the revocation of Kashmir’s special status, the Delimitation Commission increased the number of seats from 83 to 90 in majority areas, while the number of seats in Muslim-majority regions was raised by only one percent. Additionally, the military has seized control of 56,000 acres of land in occupied Kashmir.
Furthermore, under the new domicile laws, over five million Hindus have been granted Kashmiri domicile. The Modi government also intends to create a new Hindu-majority division in occupied Kashmir, which will include the districts of Kishtwar, Anantnag, and Kulgam.
Special events have been planned to mark the day. A rally will be taken out in Islamabad from Foreign Office which will be joined in by dignitaries and people from different walks of life before concluding at D-Chowk. One minute’s silence will be observed at 10 in the morning. Special walks and events will be held across all four provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Pakistani missions abroad have also planned special events in connection with Youm-e-Istehsaal.
Special broadcasts will be aired to highlight the sacrifices of the Kashmiri people, contributions of the leaders of the Kashmir freedom movement, and the harsh realities of Indian oppression.
