Kashmiris Urged to Observe August 5 as Black Day Against Indian Occupation

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has called on the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) to observe August 5, known as Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir, as Black Day. This observance aims to send a strong message to the world that India is an illegal occupier of their homeland, and that Kashmiris will persist in their struggle for the United Nations-granted right to self-determination.

The appeal was made through separate messages issued in Srinagar on behalf of the detained Hurriyat leadership, including APHC Chairman Masarrat Aalam Butt and Shabbir Ahmed Shah, both of whom are imprisoned in New Delhi’s Tihar Jail. Other Hurriyat leaders, including Bilal Siddique, have also urged the observance of August 5 as Black Day.

Hurriyat leaders describe the actions taken on August 5, 2019, as an assault on Kashmir’s unique identity, culture, and demography. They urge Kashmiris worldwide to hold protests on August 5 to draw global attention to the suffering of the oppressed people in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

On August 5, 2019, the BJP-led Indian government, supported by the RSS, revoked IIOJK’s special status. This move, in violation of international laws and norms, stripped Kashmiris of their political, social, and religious rights, effectively turning the region into a massive open-air prison. The Hurriyat leadership emphasized that this was a clear violation of international law and UN resolutions, which prohibit occupying states from making unilateral decisions.

Despite their imprisonment, the Hurriyat leaders remain optimistic that India’s imperialistic presence in Kashmir will end, and the territory will be free from Indian control. Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control, and around the world, will also observe August 5 as “Youm-e-Istehsal,” in solidarity with the ongoing struggle for freedom.