Free Kashmir campaign launches in London ahead of India’s Republic Day

LONDON:  A “Free Kashmir” campaign has been launched in London by Kashmir Campaign Global ahead of India’s Republic Day which is observed on January 26.

According to reports, a section of London transport network has been used to present posters and signboards calling out India for its continued violations of human rights in Indian occupied Kashmir and it’s repeated denial of the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people.

At least seven vans were seen driving around the British Parliament carrying signboards titled “Free Kashmir”. Banners in favour of an independent homeland for Sikhs carried slogans “Khalistan Zindabad!” and “Raj Karega Khalsa”, sponsored by the Council of Khalistan, were also seen in London.

The vans carrying pictures of Kashmiri children and women called on Indian occupation forces to leave Kashmir and let the Kashmiris decide their fate. The campaign against Indian brutalities has been supported by a group called “British Friends of Kashmir.”

The vans were seen passing from outside 10 Downing Street, Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey and Waterloo Bridge. In the UK, Kashmiris have planned dozens of events across the country to protest against India’s continued denial of Kashmiris’ right to self-determination.

Meanwhile, India’s Republic Day will be marked with protests outside Indian High Commission in London and Indian consulates in Birmingham, Manchester and Bradford. The protesters will hold a demonstration outside the Indian High Commission for two hours on Friday afternoon.

Similarly, on Thursday, EU-Pak friendship federation Europe organised a mega protest motor rally in Brussels to make the international community aware of the human rights violation carried out by Indian authorities in Occupied Kashmir and other regions under forceful Indian rule such as Assam, Tripura, Nagaland, Sikkim and Manipur.

The rally started from popular Brussels monument Atomium and finished at the Prominent Expo centre of the city.

About 130-150 people belonging to Pak diaspora, Indian minorities, including Sikhs and Dalits, human rights activists/defenders, and freelance journalists participated.

Participants were holding and displaying posters and banners (Free Assam, Free Tripura, Free Khalistan, Free IoK, India stop atrocities over minorities) placed on their vehicles depicting Indian brutalities.

Around 60-70 vehicles also joined the rally and the participants raised slogans against human rights violations by Indian forces and administration in occupied regions.

Over the weekend, at least 500 Dalit campaigners marched through London against barbaric treatment of their caste in India by extremist Hindutva groups and support to these groups by the Indian government.