Uncategorized

Kashmir Council EU holds a protest demonstration on Modi’s visit to Brussels

The Kashmir Council EU held a protest demonstration on the occasion of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Brussels on Wednesday 30th March.

The Kashmir Council was the main organizer of the protest which held in front of the European Union Head Quarters in Brussels.

The protest was very successful, with a large number of the people from different walks of life attending the procession. Prominent personalities, social workers and representatives of various NGOs including human rights organisations were also present.

The organisations which cooperated in connection with the protest included World Kashmir Diaspura Alliance, Free Kashmir Org Germany, Kashmir Info, Kashmir Committee Sweden, Kashmir European Alliance Norway, Kashmir Centre Holland, International Council for Human Development, and JKLF Belgium.

Holding banners and placards, the protesters chanted slogans against the wrong and discriminatory policies of Modi’s regime. The words including Modi Fascist, Modi Murderer, Modi Butcher and Modi Terrorist were pasted along with the pictures of Modi on the placards.

Addressing the protesters, the Chairman of the Kashmir Council, Ali Raza Syed said that the protest was against the atrocities committed by Indian security forces in Occupied Kashmir, and against the fascist policies of Modi’s government towards minorities and other oppressed segments of society in India.

The protest was held at Place Schuman in front of EU Council and Commission Offices, where Modi’s meetings took place in the capital city.

Mr. Syed said that the protest was against Modi’s fascism, particularly Indian brutalities against the people of occupied Kashmir and the exploitation of Kashmiri students studying at different Indian Universities. They also protested the exploitative policies Modi’s government put into place against various minorities including the Sikh community and other segments of society in India. Many other issues related to the rights of people in different parts of India were also raised during the protest.

Former Prime Minister of AJK Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhary was also among the speakers of the demonstration. Speaking of the fact that, for a long time, the people of Kashmir have faced brutalities committed by Indian forces, he said, “We will continue our struggle against the fascist policies of Modi government, especially atrocities against the people of Kashmir.”

The human rights abuses in Indian Held Kashmir pass with impunity and are backed by a dedicated political will by the Indian government, other speakers of the gathering also commented. This dedication and impunity granted by the state of India makes the head of the state responsible for crimes against humanity that should not be ignored by the civilized world, they said.

They also condemned the terrorist attack in Lahore and expressed sympathy with the families of the victims of the tragic incident. The speakers also deplored the brutal incidents of terrorism in Belgium, Turkey and France.

Exhibiting the cultural depth of Kashmir

by: Ali Raza Syed

Dear friends,

I welcome you all on the occasion of the launch of this extra-ordinary exhibition of the paintings, photographs, handicrafts and books depicting the beauty of the paradise on earth and the situations that have turned it a hell for its people. More than anybody else, one again, I am happy to express my gratitude to the host of this event, Mr. Sajjad Haider Karim who is the sole inspiration and basic strength behind this event. Indeed, he has proved himself as one of the most worthwhile and praiseworthy Pakistanis living in Europe.

As a native Kashmiri myself, I am always extremely proud of the great cultural heritage of Kashmir, which was made by the collective living of many religions including Budhism, Hinduism and Sufi Islam. I must say that it was the peaceful and trustful collective living that reflected itself at the time of partition as no single event of brutality was seen in Kashmir.

On the other hands, extremely peaceful, respectful and creative people of Kashmir had suffered long periods of dictatorial regimes during thousands of years of their history. Unfortunately, the larger part of the Kashmir is still undergoing sufferings of the worst injustice, torture, rape, humiliation and slavery perpetrated by Indian security forces and armies. The stories of misery are horrendous. In fact, it is shameful to every peace loving and humanist individual of the world. It demands all of us to stand up and struggle for the realising of their rights thorough all the peaceful and legal manners.

I am proud of the fact that this exhibition is one of such events. Without uttering many cliché words, these exhibitions depict the history and the present of hapless nation of Kashmir. The future, however, we have to make ourselves. We have to make this future with the help of humanist forces present in all the societies of the world. I feel satisfied to see that the region of Europe, represented by great institutions such as EU, is an example of the fact that positive thinking and sincere efforts can achieve remarkable goals. We have this glorious human heritage of EU at the back of our struggle for justice, peace and equality.

I am extremely thankful to Ms. Jamila Saghri who took pain to travel and exhibit here work of passion to all of us. Indeed, her work is the source of inspiration for all of us. And once again, I express my gratitude to distinguished MEPs, diplomats, intellectuals, scholars, journalists and peace activists that have giving us the honour of enjoying their presence here.

The people of Kashmir want and must have the freedom of movement, freedom to earn a decent livelihood, the freedom to educate their children, in short, they want their basic human rights including right to self determination.