A map of disputed Kashmir region Credit: Planemad/Wikimedia Commons
A demonstration in New York’s Times Square called for freedom of Kashmir, drawing attention to Indian atrocities and asking the UN to honor its commitment to help give Kashmiris the right of self-determination.
The demonstrators included people of Kashmir, Pakistanis and Sikhs and timed the rally with Kashmir Solidarity Day observed on Monday.
The disputed region has been the cause of several major wars and conflicts between South Asian nuclear powers, Pakistan and India. Last year, the Indian forces used pellet guns as a tool to repress a spontaneous uprising.
New Delhi often alleges a Pakistani hand behind unrest in Kashmir. Islamabad has strongly rejected the assertions and points out Indian massive military deployment in the disputed territory and its killings as proof that Kashmiris do not want to live under Indian occupation.
Photo: Mohsin Zaheer Facebook
On Monday, demonstrators gathered at the Square despite bone-chilling winds, highlighting the plight of Kashmiris to Americans and large number of international tourists.
The placards read: “India: Honour UN Resolutions”, “Freedom for all, Freedom for Kashmir”, Indian Forces: Out of Kashmir”, “No Justice, No Peace,” and “Kashmiri Lives Matter Too.”
A large digital billboard called for discussion on Kashmir with a #IndiaFreeKashmir. “Balochistan is Pakistan, Let’s talk about Indian Occupied Kashmir”
