Oct 22, 2020

Several human rights activists from a cross-section of organizations and groups gathered today in front of the Pakistan Embassy in Tokyo to protest Pakistan’s brutalities and ongoing support to terrorism in Kashmir. The activists included representatives from various sections of civil society in Japan and highlighted the inhuman actions of the Pakistan military in Kashmir, especially beginning October 22, 1947. They carried placards saying, “Black Day Protest”, “#22OctBlackDay” and “PakRaidsKashmir”, to highlight the atrocities, and urge Pakistan to change its ways.

October 22 is observed as “Black Day” in the history for Kashmir, as this is the day in 1947 when ‘irregulars’ comprising of and supported by the newly formed Pakistan Army crossed over into Jammu and Kashmir. This so-called “Operation Gulmarg” was planned and executed by the Pakistan Army with the intention of forcibly occupying Jammu and Kashmir, which was at that time an independent princely state.

Over the course of the next few days, these elements unleashed a reign of terror in the Kashmir Valley. Killings, rapes, destruction of property were their chosen ‘weapons’, staining not only the land with the blood and tears of its occupants, but also making sure that true Kashmiris continue to loathe Pakistan and its heinous activities in the region. The mayhem and bloodshed only stopped when Maharaja Hari Singh, the ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, signed the Instrument of Accession with the Indian government on October 26, 1947, whereafter the Indian Army drove away the raiders.

The scars of those days from 73 years ago are beginning to heal through efforts of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the Indian government, but the “Black Day” is a constant reminder of the perfidy and brutality of the Pakistani state that has, since its inception, been consumed by a desire to occupy Jammu and Kashmir, even as it has spectacularly failed to provide even the basic daily necessities to its own citizens. 

Protest outside Pak Embassy, Tokyo

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