Led by Professor Musarrat Shaukat Awan, Chairman of Kashmir Freedom Front Austria, demonstrators marked October 27 as Black Day.

Vienna, (Muhammad Amir Siddique) – A protest demonstration was organized in front of the Indian Embassy in Vienna to mark October 27—observed as ‘Kashmir Black Day’. The event took place on Sunday, November 1, at 3:00 PM, at Karlsplatz (near Resselpark/Breitner-Platz).

Members of the Pakistani and Kashmiri communities, along with the international community, gathered in large numbers in front of the Indian Embassy to protest against India’s oppressive actions and to express solidarity with their Kashmiri brothers and sisters. Participants carried banners, as well as Kashmiri and Pakistani flags, bearing prominent messages calling for an end to the atrocities and oppression in Kashmir.

The demonstration commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran. Various speakers highlighted the ongoing human rights violations in Kashmir, noting that the Modi-led government continues to disregard United Nations resolutions. They asserted that the time has come to respond to India in a language it understands.

Speaking on the occasion, Professor Musarrat Shaukat Awan, Chairman of the Kashmir Freedom Front Austria, condemned the persistent use of force by Indian occupation forces since August 5, 2019, as well as the illegal measures taken by New Delhi. The international community has been urged to raise its voice against the violation of the fundamental rights of the people of IIOJK (Illegally Indian-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir) and to facilitate the exercise of their inalienable right to self-determination, in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Kashmir is the “jugular vein” of Pakistan. Our protests will continue until the Kashmiris attain their freedom. It is now a core tenet of Pakistan’s diplomatic policy that the country stands firmly with the Kashmiri people. Furthermore, it was stated that Pakistan will continue to provide all forms of diplomatic, political, and moral support to the people of IIOJK. Reference was also made to India’s aggressive policies and hegemonic ambitions, which pose a grave threat to peace and stability in South Asia. It was reiterated that Pakistan remains committed to a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

Regarding the conflict between Pakistan and India, it was noted that India imposed war upon the entire region; however, Pakistan demonstrated that there would be no compromise on its honor and dignity. In response to Indian aggression, ‘Operation Bunyan-e-Marsous’ was launched, during which Pakistan’s armed forces shot down six Indian combat aircraft. Any future act of aggression will be met with a decisive and robust response. We also urge Afghanistan to cease aligning itself with India and to put an end to terrorism—both against its own Muslim brethren and within Pakistan. We strongly condemn the fact that terrorism is being perpetrated in Pakistan via Afghanistan, where a Taliban-led interim government is currently in power.

Mr. Rana Idrees, President of the Overseas Pakistani Community in Austria, stated that Muslims and other minorities across India are suffering the consequences of the BJP/RSS agenda to transform India into a ‘Hindu Rashtra’ (a Hindu nation). Similarly, we strongly condemn the terrorism being perpetrated by Israel in Palestine and the killing of the oppressed there. He urged the international community to raise its voice in support of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), who have been denied their right to self-determination. The issues of Palestine and Kashmir are one and the same—both are sites of the loss of life, oppression, and tyranny. We call for the liberation of Palestine and Kashmir as soon as possible, so that the ongoing bloodshed may come to an end.

Mr. Azhar Shah, a prominent figure within the Pakistani community, remarked that India has employed malicious tactics—utilizing its armed forces and citing its so-called ‘constitution’—to impose its dominion over unarmed Kashmiris. Condemning the egregious human rights violations and India’s provocative actions against the civilian population in Kashmir, he drew global attention to the fact that the Kashmiri people have been trapped under Indian occupation for seven decades. For seventy years, they have struggled for their right to self-determination, with Kashmiris—including women and children—making immense sacrifices. He further added that India’s attempt to equate the Kashmiri struggle for freedom with terrorism cannot deceive the world; decades of Indian oppression have utterly failed to extinguish the Kashmiris’ profound love for freedom.

The speakers highlighted how India’s Hindu-extremist BJP/RSS government is bent on implementing a racial-fascist agenda through its policies—an agenda aimed at altering the demographic composition of IIOJK (Illegally Indian-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir) from a Muslim-majority to a Hindu-majority state, and erasing its distinct identity. Furthermore, the speakers underscored the historical significance of ‘Kashmir Black Day,’ noting that October 27, 1947—the day Indian forces entered Srinagar—marks a pivotal and tragic moment in the history of Kashmir. Pakistan observes this day as the beginning of the Indian occupation of Kashmir.

Participants in the protest expressed their firm resolve to continue raising their voices for the fundamental rights, peace, justice, and the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people.

The event concluded with special prayers offered for the people of Kashmir, the people of Palestine, and the martyrs of the Pakistani armed forces. Professor Musarrat Shaukat Awan, Chairman of the Kashmir Freedom Front Austria, thanked everyone for attending the protest demonstration.