A huge peace march took place in New York in which thousands of friends of Kashmir participated. The march was jointly sponsored by all groups who believe in the right of self-determination of the people of Kashmir. The very inspiring March began at the Indian Mission to the UN on 43rd Street and led up 3rd Avenue to 47th, terminating in front of the United Nations. The cooperation of NY state and city police was exemplary, and there were no incidents which marred the event.Hundreds also participated in London, Brussels, Islamabad and Muzaffarabad with their own marches. In Srinagar, Kashmir, however, the leadership was put under house arrest in Srinagar so they could not go the office of the UN and present the memorandum. There are reasons to believe that the unshakable resolve of Kashmiri people would ultimately blossom into tangible results and the world community would pressurize India to grant right of self-determination to people struggling for the purpose for the last about seven decades. The Million March by Kashmiris right in the heart of New York on Sunday was also an indication that despite Indian machinations to suppress the freedom struggle, Kashmiris are determined to continue their movement till realization of their birthright. Several thousand Kashmiris and Pakistani Americans marched on the streets ofManhattan as part of the Million March, which drew attention of Americans as well as visitors from different nationalities. The march was held ahead of Black Day by Kashmiris on the two sides of the Line of Control and all over the world to convey the international community that India has occupied Jammu and Kashmir against their will, besides denying their inalienable right to self determination. It was on 27th October in 1947 when the Indian troops entered Jammu and Kashmir and occupied it in sheer violation of the Partition Plan of the Subcontinent and against the aspirations of the Kashmiris. The Day would be marked by a complete shutdown in Indian Occupied Kashmir and rallies in the world capitals. The response to calls by Kashmiri leaders for protests, rallies and shutter downs on different occasions is clearly reflective of the groundrealities that Kashmiris would not sit idle till they throw away the yoke of Indian subjugation. In our view, time has come for India to take notice of the persistent demand of the Kashmiri people for right to self-determination and sit across the negotiating table with Pakistan and Kashmiris for just solution of the dispute as per aspirations of Kashmiri people. India must bear in mind that it cannot move ahead in any direction with burden of usurpation of rights of Kashmiris.
pk.shafaqna.com
