BIRMINGHAM (Kashmir English): British Kashmiris gathered outside the Indian Consulate in Birmingham to protest against the oppressive actions of the Indian government in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the demonstrators, who were carrying placards and raising slogans, were especially critical of Indian occupation of Kashmir and the Modi-led government’s oppressive policies toward the Muslim-majority population of the territory as they expressed their outrage.
The protest was led by Fahim Kayani, President of All Parties International Kashmir Coordination Committee and Tehreek-e-Kashmir, UK.
Kayani, addressing the gathering outside the consulate, condemned the actions of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
Protesters condemned the Modi government for its increasing restrictions on the Muslim population of Kashmir, particularly in relation to religious freedom during the holy month of Ramadan.
Restriction on Eid celebrations in occupied Kashmir
Of particular concern was the restriction placed on Eid celebrations in occupied Kashmir.
Occupation forces prevented Kashmiri Muslims from offering Eid prayers at Srinagar’s historic Jamia Masjid, one of the most revered religious sites in the territory.
The Indian forces also raided the homes of prominent pro-freedom leaders and activists, intensifying the sense of repression felt by Kashmiris under Indian rule.
Fahim Kayani, during his speech, highlighted that the Modi regime had been implementing policies aligned with the ideology of Hindutva, which he described as a racist, neo-fascist, and neo-Nazi political movement.
He said Modi is deliberately attempting to change the demographic composition of the region by enacting new laws that allow non-Kashmiri Hindus to settle in the region, while marginalizing the local Muslim population.
Separately, expatriate Kashmiris Inam-ul-Haq, Muhammad Ghalib, Fazal Ahmed Qadri, Babar Raja, Chaudhry Ikram-ul-Haq, Chaudhry Shinwaz, Col. Shaukat Raja, Dr Khurram Bashir, Farooq Qadri, M. Ghazanfar, Iftikhar Jagnu, Wajid Burki, Raja Javed Iqbal and others in a joint statement said India is committing war crimes on a large scale in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
They said India has locked up thousands of Kashmiris, including Hurriyat leaders and activists, in jails and detention centres.
They called upon the international community, especially human rights organizations, to effectively raise their voice against the grave Indian crimes against humanity in the occupied territory.
