Black Day: A Symbol of Resistance in Kashmir
Every year, while India celebrates January 26 as their Republic day, a national holiday commemorating the adoption of the Indian Constitution, Kashmiris have designated this date as “Black Day” , a dark day that signifies their intense rejection against India’s extended control of occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The annual commemoration brings awareness to continuous abuses and unlawful deaths of civilians, along with serious human rights breaches by Indian occupation forces within Kashmir. From its foundational history, Black Day today stands as a key representation of resistance towards the unlawful rule of India in Jammu and Kashmir.
History of Black Day
Black Day traces its origins to 1947, during the partition of British India, when princely states were given the choice to join either India or Pakistan based on geographical proximity and the religious majority of their population. While most states transitioned peacefully, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) became a victim of political turmoil and conflict, setting the stage for one of the most contentious disputes in the region’s history. First, the region, governed by a Hindu Dogra king with a 77% Muslim population, approached independence on a Standstill Agreement with Pakistan. This decision, however, was soon to be shaken. Maharaja Hari Singh’s administration committed large-scale genocide on the Muslims through RSS and the Hindu and Sikh refugees drawn into the service of these armies with guns in their hands. Over half a million Muslims were displaced to Pakistan, and estimated deaths vary between 200,000 and 237,000.
Political unrest in Poonch and the massacre in Jammu were mishandled, exacerbating communal divisions. When RSS cadres and Sikh refugees were allowed to commit atrocities, Jammu was turned from a Muslim majority to a Hindu majority region. This systematic violence was documented by British press accounts and testimonies of journalists like Ved Bhasin, who also show the complicity of the Indian authorities and the ‘Sangh Parivar’ in making the Maharaja take those decisions. In this tragic chain of events, a foundation was laid down for a future perpetual conflict over the territory and communalism of Kashmir. This issue has continued to affect the geopolitical landscape in South Asia.
Symbolizing Resistance
Since the unlawful occupation of India, Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir has been in the face of substantial human rights violations. Reports have been released by the United Nations, the United States Congress, and several other fact-finding teams regarding this situation.
Many forms of oppression have been endured by the people of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the major one being the stripping of their right to self determination. It remains a highly militarized area of the world with arbitrary arrests and detentions, economic suppression, and more. It is not uncommon to find news of Indian soldiers firing pellet guns and snipers at innocent Kashmiris. The Indian illegal occupation is also strife with gender-based violence, with rape being used as a form of torture by Indian forces. Among the most egregious human rights violations are forced disappearances, often leading to the discovery of unmarked graves. To this day, the findings from inquiries into extrajudicial executions remain undisclosed with close to a hundred thousand killed since the 1990s.
Tactics Employed by Indian Security Forces
The Indian government, together with its national law enforcement organizations, employs purposeful tactics to silence Kashmiri protesters while steering away international awareness from Kashmiri demands. The 1990 implementation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) gave extended executive authority to Indian armed forces during their IIOJK operations, allowing them to take actions without legal oversight, which resulted in innocent people being subject to unwarranted detention and search procedures. Under this framework, Indian military personnel receive protection from legal prosecution when carrying out unauthorized service actions. Before 2001, the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (1985–1995) gave way to the Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance to expand law enforcement capabilities. Peace organizations and their humanitarian activities have become restricted through the use of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act of 2010 despite its original intent for foreign funding regulation.
The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi abolished Article 370 of the constitution on August 5, 2019, to integrate Jammu and Kashmir with India through administrative steps. This move, accompanied by the passage of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, split the state into two Union Territories: Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir. The abrogation of Article 35-A eradicated safeguards for Kashmiri inhabitants by liberalizing property and residence regulations for non-residents. The abrogation of these articles facilitated land purchases for Hindu immigrants from India while instigating a demographic shift that undermines the historical claims of indigenous Kashmiri Muslims to their identity. Subsequently, the area saw stringent mobility restrictions and endured one of the most extended lockdowns in history, accompanied by significant limitations on civil freedoms and communications. These actions coincided with further military troop deployments, the detention of significant local people, and enforced nighttime curfews. The global attention has heightened due to India’s unilateral revocation of Kashmir’s unique status, which challenges its longstanding self-declared stance that Kashmir constitutes a purely bilateral conflict.
The Demonstration of Authority in Kashmir:
Kashmiris observe Black Day to mark and highlight the human rights abuses and structures inflicting upon them cultural and political erasure. Such demonstrations demand international concern over their plight. While Republic Day is a source of pride for most Indians, Kashmiris consider it a reminder of suppression under foreign domination. As a buildup to the celebration of Republic Day, the Indian Government deploys military and security forces that enforce checkpoints, increases surveillance in urban areas, and mechanical forces, creating an environment of fear. It is common practice to observe government-organized festivities in which citizens, including officials and students, are forced to participate. The ones who refuse can face consequences for their careers, social exclusion and constant security measures hamper their lives.
A Call to Action
Kashmiri Black Day serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by the people of Indian-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir under decades of military domination. It highlights the urgent need for global awareness and intervention to address the widespread human rights violations, political disenfranchisement, and denial of basic freedoms endured by Kashmiris. This day calls for an end to the silence and apathy surrounding their plight, urging the international community to recognize the escalating crisis and take meaningful action.
Justice, human rights, and the principles of self-determination form the foundation of this struggle, demanding immediate global attention and response. Black Day unites individuals, organizations, and nations that stand for freedom, dignity, and human rights, amplifying the voices of Kashmiris in their fight for peace and justice.
