Kashmiri Americans and their supporters will stage a peaceful protest at Times Square, New York on August 4, 2024, to condemn the abrogation of Article 370 and to advocate for the rights of the people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
According to a Kashmir Media Service report, in August 2019, the BJP-led Indian government had revoked IIOJK’s special status by repealing Article 370 of the constitution. The move allowed people from India to have the right to acquire property in the UN-recognized disputed territory and settle there permanently. Kashmiris, international organisations and critics of New Delhi had termed the move an attempt to dilute the demographics of Muslim-majority Kashmir with Hindu settlers.
Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Secretary General of the World Kashmir Awareness Forum, addressed a meeting at the residence of Sardar Aftab Roshan Khan in Virginia, describing the abrogation of these articles as a severe violation of international norms and UN resolutions. Dr. Fai emphasized that these actions by the Modi government could lead to severe consequences for the people of Kashmir, including the risk of genocide.
Sardar Shoaib Irshad, Joint Secretary of the Kashmir American Welfare Association (KAWA), announced that the protest will take place from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the historic Times Square.
