Members of Kashmiri community and their supporters took out a march from British Prime Minister’s Downing Street office to the Indian High Commission in London, urging the Indian government to prepare for a plebiscite in the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The protest marked five years since India’s decision to strip occupied Jammu and Kashmir of its special status under Articles 370 and 35A of the Indian Constitution.
The protesters, led by Faheem Kiyani, read out a petition addressed to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, condemning India’s “illegal occupation” of Kashmir and human rights violations in the territory. However, the Indian diplomatic mission asked for sending the petition via post.
The protesters criticized India’s actions in Kashmir, including military repression, fake encounters, and settler colonialism. They called on the Indian government to alleviate the suffering of the Kashmiri people by rescinding orders of settler colonialism and abolishing draconian laws such as AFSPA, PSA, and UAPA.
The protest was attended by various leaders, including Turkish lyricist Turgay Evren and APHC AJK leader Yousuf Naseem and others. The participants noted that Kashmiris are engaged in a genuine movement for liberation from illegal Indian occupation and demanded recognition of their right to self-determination.—INP
