Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) and around the world are set to observe August 5 as Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir (Day of Exploitation) to register their strong protest and unwavering defiance against the Indian government’s unilateral and illegal actions taken on this day in 2019.
The observance is aimed at denouncing the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A of the Indian Constitution, which stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its special autonomous status.
The government of Pakistan, civil society organizations, and Kashmiri diaspora communities mark this day every year to express solidarity with the oppressed people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), and to remind the world of the ongoing violations of international law and human rights in the region.
A range of events — including rallies, seminars, media campaigns, and public gatherings — are planned across Pakistan and globally to highlight the plight of Kashmiris and call for an end to Indian occupation.
The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), along with other resistance leaders and organizations in IIOJK, have also called on the Kashmiri people to observe August 5 as a black day and Youm-e-Istehsal.
In statements carried by Kashmir Media Service (KMS), the APHC leadership emphasized that the people of Jammu and Kashmir reject the unconstitutional and undemocratic actions of the Narendra Modi-led Indian regime.
The Hurriyat leaders also urged global powers to play a proactive role in curbing India’s aggressive posturing, warning that the expansionist and jingoistic ambitions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah are driving South Asia toward potential catastrophe.
They cautioned that India’s continued suppression of Kashmiri voices and refusal to engage in dialogue could provoke serious regional instability.
This year’s Youm-e-Istehsal will serve as a reminder that the people of Kashmir remain resilient and continue to demand their inalienable right to self-determination as enshrined in numerous United Nations Security Council resolutions.
