Kashmir Solidarity Day: A Call for Global Action on the Kashmir Struggle

Despite global progress, the people of IIOJK, a region once known as “heaven on earth,” continue to endure immense suffering under brutal occupation. Kashmir Solidarity Day serves as a reminder of their plight and the need for urgent international intervention.

Since 1947, the world has made significant strides, with greater opportunities for prosperity, connectivity, and mobility. Yet, despite these advances, the region of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) remains trapped in a cycle of violence, repression, and systemic oppression. Spanning approximately 92,782 square kilometers, IIOJK is one of the most militarized regions in the world, where the human rights of its people are regularly violated, and their struggle for self-determination remains largely ignored by the global community.

Kashmir Solidarity Day, observed on February 5th, serves as an annual reminder of the sacrifices made by the martyrs of the Kashmiri freedom movement. This day is particularly significant as it highlights the ongoing repression in IIOJK and raises awareness of the Kashmiri people’s long-standing fight for justice. For decades, Pakistan has championed the Kashmir cause, urging the international community to hold India accountable for its actions in the region, yet progress has been slow, with little change in the suffering of Kashmiris.

The Kashmir dispute is one of the longest-standing conflicts on the United Nations’ agenda, yet it remains unresolved. Since the revocation of Article 370 in 2019, the situation has only worsened. Indian authorities, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, have been accused of orchestrating a demographic shift in the region, with policies aimed at reducing the Muslim majority. This is seen as an effort to undermine the region’s distinct identity and further consolidate Indian control over Kashmir. The abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A, which granted special autonomy to IIOJK, has been particularly controversial, and critics argue that it is an attempt to alter the region’s demographic and political landscape.

Pakistan continues to raise its voice at global forums like the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Human Rights Council (HRC), seeking international intervention to stop the human rights violations in IIOJK. However, these efforts are often thwarted by geopolitical interests and selective silence from major global powers. The United Nations has consistently failed to implement its own resolutions, including UNSCR 38 (1948) and UNSCR 112 (1957), which call for a plebiscite to allow Kashmiris to determine their future.

The international community’s failure to address the Kashmir dispute reflects the selective application of human rights standards. While global powers present themselves as champions of democracy and human rights, their silence on Kashmir speaks volumes about their lack of genuine commitment to these principles. India’s embrace of Hindutva ideology, which promotes Hindu supremacy, has only intensified repression in IIOJK, undermining the region’s secular and multicultural fabric.

The ongoing conflict in Kashmir mirrors other long-standing struggles for self-determination, such as the Palestinian issue. Both conflicts are characterized by international inaction, repression, and a lack of genuine resolution. The suffering of Kashmiris—who face extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, sexual violence, and arbitrary detentions—has gone on for far too long. Between 2000 and 2019 alone, over 4,427 Kashmiris lost their lives, with more than 96,000 killed since 1989. These figures are not just statistics; they represent the untold suffering of individuals whose only crime is their desire for freedom.

Every year, Pakistan observes Kashmir Solidarity Day to honor the martyrs and reaffirm support for the Kashmiri cause. Schools, colleges, and institutions nationwide hold rallies, seminars, and public demonstrations to draw attention to the struggle. However, this solidarity should not be limited to just one day. In the digital age, global awareness must be mobilized continuously to expose the brutal reality of Indian occupation. Social media and digital platforms have a significant role to play in amplifying the voices of Kashmiris and rallying international support for their cause.

The Kashmir dispute is not an internal matter for India; it is a human rights crisis that demands urgent international intervention. As the world grapples with global challenges, the continued suffering of Kashmiris should be impossible to ignore. Only through concerted international pressure can the conflict be resolved, ensuring that the people of Kashmir finally achieve the justice and self-determination they have long fought for.