Kashmir solidarity day: The Need for Action on Kashmir
Kashmir Solidarity Day 05 Feb 2025
“Kashmir is the Jugular vein of Pakistan and no nation or country would tolerate its Jugular vein remains under the sword of the enemy”
“Muhammad Ali Jinnah”
If you lost your home, your identity, and your freedom one day, how would you respond? This is a sad reality for the people of illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. For Pakistanis, the issue of Kashmir is not just political but of solidarity with our Kashmiri brothers and sisters, who have endured unimaginable suffering in their pursuit of self-determination.
In 1990, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and late Qazi Hussain Ahmed called for the first commemoration of Kashmir solidarity day. Since then, Pakistan observed the Kashmir solidarity annually on February 5th .Considering the importance of the issue, Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s government declared February 5th a public holiday. This decision aimed to demonstrate Pakistan’s unwavering support for the people of Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. They have suffered decades of Indian brutality. This day also serves as a tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for Kashmir’s freedom from India misrule
But the significance of this day should not be limited to its representational meaning. It is time for Pakistan to turn its attention from Kashmir Solidarity Day to practical measures that respect human rights and international law.
The 1947 division of India and Pakistan gave rise to the strife in Kashmir, a princely state dominated by Hindu Maharaja Hari Singh and home to the majority of Muslims. On October 27, 1947, Hari Singh overruled the majority’s desire to join Pakistan and controversially chose India, sparking a conflict that remains unresolved and continues to fuel tensions.
Following this illegal accession, Maharaja Hari Singh’s forces brutally murdered the Muslims of Jammu and Kashmir which led the generations to rise in violence. India and Pakistan have fought multiple wars over Kashmir notably those in 1947–1948 and 1965. India has hampered attempts to organize a pleabscite in the area that is in violation of a United Nations decision on the future of Kashmiris must be decided by them according to the United Nations Security Council resolutions 38-47 and 122.
India’s reluctance caused the conflict and prevented millions of people from getting justice several challenges have been faced by the Kashmiris such as curfews, arbitrary detentions and officially enforced military violence are some of the issues that have left Kashmiris in a state of “dystopian” in a constant trauma.
The British government, commanded by Lord Mountbatten, promptly disregarded these crimes and was ignored by the free India leadership of the Indian National Congress, led by Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Patel.
August 2019 saw a significant, once more unlawful, shift in Kashmir status, article 370 of the Indian constitution which granted the Kashmiris the authority to govern their internal affairs but it was struck down by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. They removed Article 370 and Article 35- A from Kashmir which followed the total shutdown of the internet, thousands of people were arrested and the movement was restricted.
The Significance of Kashmir Solidarity Day lies deeply in support of the people of illegally occupied Kashmir by India. The Government of Pakistan want this issue to be highlighted and brought to light on all international platforms to ensure that the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir receive justice.
Pakistan is commemorating this day and paying tribute to the people of Kashmir who struggle and fight for their freedom. Pakistan observe 5th February in various ways, including seminars, academic awareness-raising, protests, speeches, rallies, and human chains. Media outlets throughout Pakistan not only provide diplomatic and emotional support to occupied Kashmir but also act as a spark to disseminate the message to the rest of the world. Kashmir Solidarity Day serves as an important reminder that the issue of Kashmir is a global concern and not just a bilateral conflict between India and Pakistan.
For Kashmiris, the inaction of international organizations and world powers has been a major cause of annoyance. Pakistan has long been a vocal code advocate for Kashmiris on the international stage emphasizing the region’s rights to self-determination and drawing attention to human rights violations. Apart from the United Nation (UN) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Pakistan has utilized various other international forums to highlight the Kashmir issue. The role of the international community is also quite important. Global players can contribute to the establishment of peaceful conditions by mediating disputes between the parties and guaranteeing adherence to international law. India has transformed the occupied region into the largest prison in the world, confining oppressed Kashmiris to their houses and depriving them of all human rights, including the freedom of speech, desire, and liberty. In addition to relocating Hindus in IIOJK, India’s evil intentions to spread Hindu doctrine and hatred toward Muslims were revealed on August 5, 2019, when the special status of IIOJK was abolished.
The Kashmiris have rejected Indian authority over their state for the past 76 years and have frequently rebelled against the country’s violent occupation.
Since 1990 more than 100,000 Kashmiris died at the hands of brutal Indian security forces. Indian brutality must end Kashmiri’s deserve freedom, justice and peace ensuring regional harmony. The State and the people of Pakistan are once again urging the UN, major countries, and the civilized world community to grant Kashmiris their UN-mandated right to self-determination via Kashmir Solidarity Day 2025.
On this solidarity day we stand with them in their struggle for self-determination and we honor the martyrs who sacrificed their lives and pledge to raise voices against injustice by the Indian government.
“Pakistan will always stand with Kashmir”
“Their fight is our fight; their pain is our pain”
“Together, we will never let their voices be silenced “
This article was written by: Hashir Wali
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