Altaf Hamid Rao
MIRPUR ( AJK), (Parliament Times): The Institute of Dialogue, Development & Diplomatic Studies (IDDDs) organized a youth seminar titled “Shame Day – India’s Independence Amid the Blasting of Kashmiri Houses” at a local hotel in yhe state metropolis on Friday organizers said.
The event brought together youth from various universities and colleges, along with members of civil society.
The awareness program sought to unveil India’s double standards in weaponizing its own laws against the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK).
Speakers highlighted that while India celebrates its Independence Day, the liberty, life, and property of Kashmiris remain under brutal siege. They stressed that the Indian concept of independence and democracy has lost its essence, for in Kashmir these values exist only in name.
Dr Mehmod reminded the international community that those outside India’s state-controlled narrative have a moral duty to expose the reality. Kashmir today is a pressure cooker: leadership is exiled to far-flung Indian prisons, media has no space to breathe, and human rights activists remain behind bars.
Participants condemned India’s recent ban on 25 more books — a hidden phase in its systematic attempt to erase Kashmiri voices, ensuring only the Indian version of history and politics is taught in universities and colleges. They argued that India’s Independence Day is a “shame day,” as the state itself is involved in sponsoring terrorism across borders, including targeted killings abroad in countries such as Canada and the USA.
Dr Sumair Director Kashmir Studies –AJK University emphasized that the blasting of Kashmiri homes — particularly with winter approaching — is not just collective punishment but a heinous crime under the Rome Statute, amounting to a war crime. Such acts must be exposed before the global community with facts and figures.
The seminar concluded with the adoption of a declaration, calling for unity among Kashmiri ranks and reaffirming the struggle for the right to self-determination as enshrined in the UN Charter.
At the conclusion of the Youth Seminar organized by the Institute of Dialogue, Development & Diplomatic Studies (IDDDs), the participants — comprising university and college students, representatives of civil society, and concerned citizens — collectively adopted the following memorandum:
*Reaffirmation of Commitment:*
The youth of Jammu & Kashmir reaffirm their unwavering commitment to the just and legitimate struggle for the right to self-determination as recognized by the United Nations Security Council resolutions.
*Condemnation of Indian Oppression:*
The participants strongly condemned the ongoing repression, including demolition of homes, arbitrary detentions, and systematic denial of fundamental freedoms under Indian occupation.and demanded the legal accesses to Kashmiri leaders from Indian Jails .
*Solidarity & Awareness:*
The seminar highlighted that observing 15 August as a “Shame Day” reflects the collective pain of the Kashmiri people, whose aspirations remain brutally suppressed despite international commitments.
*Commitment and Role of Youth:*
The youth pledged to amplify awareness at academic, diplomatic, and digital fronts to ensure that the voice of the oppressed Kashmiris reaches the global community.
**Guarding Against Division and forging Unity*
The participants emphasized the crucial role of youth in keeping a close vigil against nefarious elements who attempt to sow hatred and division within society. The seminar praised the true Qur’anic concept of “Bunyanun Marsus” (a solid cemented structure) — symbolizing unwavering unity in thought and practice — as the guiding principle to defeat disunity and to build a cohesive, resilient, and morally strong community.
*Future Commitment:*
The IDDDs and youth participants resolved to continue organizing awareness programs, academic engagements, and advocacy campaigns until justice and peace are restored in Jammu & Kashmir.