Abdul Hadi Mayar Islamabad
Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control, in Pakistan and across the world are observing Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir today to condemn the abolition of the special status of Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and unilateral annexation of the state in its constitutional peripheries.
It was on this day in 2019 when Narendra Modi regime in New Delhi abrogated Article 370 and 35A through a presidential order, unilaterally scrapping the special status of the state of Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and integrate it into its union.
Under Article 370 of the Indian constitution, the state of Jammu and Kashmir enjoyed special status and provisions of the constitutional that governed other states of India did not apply to it. Similarly, Article 35A empowered the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly to determine permanent residents of the state.
Special ceremonies have been planned today to prevail upon India that this whimsical act is not acceptable to the Kashmiri people. Attention of the United Nations and human rights organizations will also be drawn to the plight of Kashmiri people facing atrocities of the Indian forces in the occupied state.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to visit Muzaffabad today and address the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly to express Pakistan’s solidarity with the Kashmiri people.
Kashmiris based in Western capitals are also reported to have planned special ceremonies to observe the day and stir the conscience of the world community, reminding it its obligation of resolving the Kashmir dispute in line with the UN Security Council resolutions.
