OCTOBER 24, 1947 is a historical day for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. On this day, Kashmir masses formally established their self-rule on the areas, which they liberated from the Dogra Rulers. This day is celebrated as Independence Day in Azad Jammu & Kashmir. This year (2024), the Government of AJK has celebrated this day with a new hope, resolve and renewed determination for attaining the right of self-determination for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The 77th Yaum-e-Tasees of Azad Kashmir aims at: reminding the people of Azad Kashmir, especially the youth about the ongoing struggle of the Kashmiri youth of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), who are laying their lives for freedom from Indian oppression.
Besides, it reminds them about the sacrifices their forefathers have given for liberating this piece of land from Dogra Rule and the Indian Army, where they live with peace and freedom. Secondly, people and leadership of Kashmir should know that this day is a reminder that this piece of land would now act as the base camp for the freedom of their brothers and sisters from India in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Leadership and people of Azad Jammu & Kashmir need to demonstrate to their brothers and sisters in IIOJK that we have not forgotten your sacrifices and would do everything to get you free from the oppressive and repressive Indian occupation.
For this purpose, the people and the Government of Pakistan should firmly stand behind the struggling people of IIOJK with political, moral and diplomatic support. The day should also send a clear message for the international community that the Kashmir dispute is still unresolved and Kashmiri of IIOJK are under unlawful Indian occupation in violation of UN resolutions and international humanitarian laws, thus need their serious attention. Besides, this day “symbolizes hope, sacrifice” and consistent efforts for the attainment of the right of self-determination of Kashmiris. The day also reminds the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan of their responsibilities for the political, moral and diplomatic support of the people of IIOJK with sincerity and devotion. In the history of Jammu and Kashmir, there are eight memorable days/occasions.
The dark day in the history, 16 March 1846, Kashmir Sale Deed, commonly known as “Treaty of Amritsar” signed between Gulab Singh, the Dogra Maharaja and British East India Company. On this unfortunate day, the State along with its subjects was sold out to Dogra Maharaja for just 75 lac (Nanak Shahi). Earlier, Sikhs, Mughals and Afghans attacked, occupied and annexed the State of Jammu and Kashmir for centuries. The second milestone date is 13 July 1931, known in history as the “Kashmir Martyrs Day”. Apart from killing of 22 Kashmiri youths by Dogra Forces, outside Srinagar Central Jail, this was the first formal overt demonstration by the Kashmiri masses. The event was followed by establishment of All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference, the first political representations of Kashmiris for political struggle against the repressive Dogra Rule. The third significant day is 19 July 1947.
On 19 July 1947, the people of Jammu and Kashmir unanimously adopted a resolution for the accession of the State with Pakistan. Each year, the people of Jammu and Kashmir celebrate July 19th as the day of “Kashmir Accession to Pakistan”. This relationship has rooted in the joint history of these two areas over the years and later turned into a relationship of interdependency. The fourth historical day was 24 October 1947, once the people of Kashmir formally established their government with the name of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Government. Significance of this historical day is given in above-mentioned paragraphs. The fifth milestone in the history of Kashmir is the 27 October 1947, being celebrated as Dark Day by Kashmiris.
On this day, Indian Army landed at Srinagar Airport, a day of a formal Indian occupation of Kashmir, Kashmiris still facing the consequences. The Instrument of Accession and other formalities thereafter are all fake as proved by scholars, historians, UN resolutions and even commitments of former Indian rulers. The sixth milestone in the modern history of Kashmir is the year 1990; commencement of the renewed Kashmiri’s struggle for their right of self-determination. As a result of that India deployed over 900,000 security forces in parts of IIOJK. As per KMS, over 100,000 Kashmiris have been killed, 13000 women have been raped, besides tortures, unlawful arrests and detentions.
In 2003, the people of IIOJK gave up their armed struggle and started a peaceful political struggle. India, however, continued its brutalities and human rights violations in the territory. 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014, 2016, 2019 indigenous Kashmiri uprisings were brutally treated by Indian Military and Civil Armed Forces. The seventh milestone day is the martyrdom of Young Kashmiri Freedom Fighter, Burhan Wani on July 8, 2016. Since that day, the Kashmiri Movement has been taken over by Kashmir youths, who are adamant to get their freedom from India at all costs. Since that day, over 2000 Kashmiris have been killed; thousands have been injured, paralysed and blinded through the use of pellet guns by the Indian Army.
The eighth milestone was 5 July 2019, once India unilaterally annexed IIOJK with the Indian Union while relegating its statehood into two union territories. Indeed, it was a reoccupation of IIOJK by India through another illegal act. The 77th Yaum-e-Tasees has been celebrated with a firm determination by people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir that they firmly stand behind the struggling people of IIOJK until Kashmiris get their right of self-determination. There is a need that Indian strategies of doing away with the Kashmiri identity, illegal annexation of IIOJK, making demographic changes and massive human rights violations and genocide must be highlighted and contested at international level through forums like; UNO, EU and OIC.
— The writer is Professor of Politics and IR at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
