August 5, 2019, will forever be remembered as a dark chapter in South Asian history. On this day, the Government of India unilaterally abrogated Articles 370 and 35A of its Constitution, stripping Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir of its special autonomous status. This unjust decision not only betrayed the Kashmiri people but also violated all international law, United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, and universally recognised human rights principles.
Across the globe, Kashmiris and Pakistanis observe Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir on August 5 to protest this grave injustice. It is a day to reaffirm solidarity with the oppressed people of Kashmir and to condemn the systematic efforts by India to erase their identity and suppress their freedom.
It is important to note that even before the 2019 revocation, Kashmir was not fully autonomous. Kashmiris were languishing in the world’s biggest jail for more than seven decades.
August 5 should not only be a day of remembrance, but a day of renewed commitment and action.
By UN resolutions, the people of Jammu and Kashmir were promised the right to determine their future through a free and impartial plebiscite. That pledge remains unfulfilled. The abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A was more than a constitutional amendment; it was an assault on a people’s future, democracy, and an encroachment on their land, as well as a strategic move to alter the region’s demography and future.
India’s actions in August 2019 were a blatant violation of international laws, the Geneva Conventions, and the UN Charter. Since the beginning, the Kashmir issue has been internationally recognised as a dispute. Its resolution lies in upholding the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination, as endorsed by the global community. Ironically, Article 370 was initially introduced to provide legal cover for Kashmir’s accession to India-ensuring safeguards over land rights, employment, and population composition. Its removal was an open betrayal of that original compact.
Following the revocation, Indian-occupied Kashmir was plunged into one of the most severe crackdowns in modern history. The valley was turned into an open prison. A complete lockdown was imposed. Internet services were suspended, schools and universities were shut down, media were silenced, and thousands of Kashmiris-mostly young men-were detained without trial. The use of pellet guns left hundreds blind. Women faced harassment and degrading treatment, and families lived in continued fear.
These events drew criticism from international human rights organisations. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the UN Human Rights Council described India’s actions as blatant violations of human rights. And yet, the global conscience remained disturbingly silent. Major powers that claim to champion human rights offered little more than symbolic statements. Economic and strategic interests with India outweighed moral responsibility.
The United Nations, despite its resolutions, failed to act decisively. This collective silence is deeply troubling and tantamount to complicity.
In contrast, Pakistan has remained steadfast in its support for the Kashmiri people, making the Kashmir cause central to its foreign policy. Whether through powerful speeches at the UN General Assembly, proactive diplomacy by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or the efforts of Pakistan’s permanent missions to the UN, Pakistan has raised the Kashmir issue at every international forum. Initiatives like Kashmir Solidarity Day, dossiers on Indian atrocities, and global media campaigns stand as evidence of Pakistan’s consistent commitment.
At the provincial level, the Government of Punjab, under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has taken tangible steps to support the people of Kashmir. Going beyond slogans and symbolic gestures, the Punjab government has launched scholarships for Kashmiri students at universities and colleges across the province. Educational curricula are being revised to include chapters on the Kashmir dispute, helping younger generations understand the issue. During Kashmir Solidarity Week, schools, colleges, and universities organise seminars, debates, and cultural events to promote awareness and build empathy among the youth.
In addition, institutional efforts are underway to preserve Kashmir’s cultural and literary heritage, including its poetry, music, and historical narratives. These initiatives ensure that Kashmir’s identity remains protected and celebrated.
The Kashmiri struggle is not a reactionary movement-it is a long, sustained, and deeply rooted resistance against occupation. It is a story of immense sacrifice, resilience, and unshakable resolve. Generations of Kashmiris have suffered for the right to live in freedom. The countless martyrs, the missing youth, the political prisoners, and the blinded victims of pellet guns all raise a haunting question:
Are we not human? Is our dream of freedom terrorism? Can the tears of our mothers not move the world’s conscience?
If the global community has even a shred of moral integrity left, the time has come to speak up. August 5 should not only be a day of remembrance, but a day of renewed commitment and action. Pakistan must escalate its diplomatic efforts, take the matter to the International Court of Justice, and push for neutral observers and journalists to be granted access to the region. Every available forum must be used to expose the reality behind India’s so-called democratic image.
This is not merely a regional issue-it is a humanitarian crisis that demands a united global response.
Kashmir Exploitation Day reminds us that India may have used force, legislation, and propaganda to attempt to suppress the Kashmiri spirit, but it has failed. The flame of freedom still burns in the valley. The Kashmiri people continue to resist, refuse to bow, and remain determined in their quest for liberty.
We must educate our youth, raise awareness, and play our part in this just struggle. Kashmir is not just a piece of land-it is Pakistan’s jugular vein. No living nation allows its lifeline to fall into enemy hands.
May Almighty Allah bless the people of Kashmir with freedom, and may Pakistan always remain a loyal ally to their cause.
Long live Pakistan. Long live Kashmir
The writer is a freelance columnist.