Kashmiris worldwide, including those on both sides of the Line of Control, observed India’s Republic Day on Monday as Black Day to highlight New Delhi’s continued denial of their UN-recognized right to self-determination. According to Kashmir Media Service, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference and other pro-freedom organizations have called for protests to mark the day. 

The day was observed with Kashmiris holding rallies and protest demonstrations in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan, while their sympathizers organized anti-India demonstrations and rallies in world capitals to draw the international community’s attention to Indian state terrorism in IIOJK. While, the occupation authorities have turned the entire Kashmir valley and parts of Jammu region into a military garrison by imposing strict restrictions and deploying Indian troops and police personnel in strength in the name of so-called security measures.

New bunkers and barricades are set up in various parts of the territory to prevent people from holding anti-India demonstrations. Indian forces’ personnel are also seen carrying out surprise checking of the vehicles across the occupied territory. Meanwhile, posters have appeared across Srinagar and other parts of IIOJK, condemning India’s illegal occupation and urging the United Nations to fulfil its promise of a plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir.

The posters, displayed by Hurriyat organizations, carry slogans like “Indian Republic Day is a Black Day for Kashmiris” and “UN must act to deliver justice to Kashmir.European Union leaders joined India's Republic Day parade as the guests of honour on Monday, a day before New Delhi and Brussels are expected to seal a long-awaited free trade agreement.  Military bands and horse and camel cavalry units paraded through capital New Delhi, while fighter jets buzzed overhead and India's latest military hardware was put on display.

"The occasion inspires us in our collective resolve to build a developed India," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said before the parade. The fanfare also featured Indian air defence systems -- including missiles and drones -- that were deployed in the four-day conflict with arch-enemy Pakistan last year. 

European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are both in attendance, before an EU-India summit Tuesday, when the two sides are widely expected to announce a landmark free trade deal and security partnership. They had been working on a trade agreement for over a decade before US President Donald Trump's trade tariffs pushed India and the 27-nation EU to expedite their efforts last year. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)