By Adnan Rasheed
October 27 is remembered as a black day in the history of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, a day when paradise was caged and freedom was stolen. It marks the beginning of an unending nightmare for millions of Kashmiris whose voices have been silenced for more than seven decades. The day Indian occupation forces entered Srinagar on October 27, 1947, under the pretext of restoring order, marked the beginning of one of the darkest chapters in South Asian history, now remembered as Kashmir Black Day. Every year, this day is observed by Kashmiris across the world to protest India’s illegal occupation and to reaffirm their demand for the right to self-determination promised by the United Nations.
The origins of this day lie in the events following the partition of the subcontinent, when the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, legally entitled to decide its own future, was forcibly occupied by India after the controversial signing of the so-called Instrument of Accession. What was claimed to be a temporary military intervention to help the Maharaja soon turned into a permanent presence that altered the course of Kashmiri history. From that day onward, the people of Jammu and Kashmir were denied their fundamental rights and subjected to curfews, censorship, and occupation.
Kashmir Black Day is not merely a historical commemoration, it remains a powerful reminder of betrayal, resistance, and resilience. For over seven decades, the people of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir have endured one of the most militarized occupations in the world. Massacres, arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, and sexual violence have become recurring features of their lived reality. Incidents like the Kunan-Poshpora mass rapes of 1991, the extrajudicial killing of Burhan Wani in 2016, and the rape and murder of Asifa Bano in 2018 expose the institutionalized impunity that defines India’s policy in Kashmir. Despite UN Security Council resolutions affirming Kashmiris’ right to a plebiscite, that promise remains unfulfilled—turning a brief historical tragedy into a continuing struggle for justice, dignity, and freedom.
Through the decades that followed, every attempt at peaceful resistance was met with state violence. The 1990s saw unprecedented military crackdowns, arbitrary arrests, and widespread torture. Entire towns were cordoned off; families were shattered, and thousands vanished without a trace. The world watched in silence as Kashmir became synonymous with suffering. Even as time moved forward, the wounds of the past were never allowed to heal. The abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019 marked yet another assault on Kashmiri identity and autonomy. By stripping the region of its special status, India not only violated its own constitutional commitments but also deepened the alienation of millions.
The communication blackout that followed silenced an entire population, cutting them off from the rest of the world. Human rights groups, journalists, and international observers repeatedly called for access, but the truth remained buried under curfews and fear. As one United Nations statement reminded, “The people of Jammu and Kashmir must be able to express their political aspirations without fear.” Yet, in reality, such aspirations have been criminalized. Kashmir today stands at a crossroads, its people enduring both physical and psychological warfare. Children grow up surrounded by checkpoints, soldiers, and stories of loss. The youth face unemployment and hopelessness, while the elderly carry memories of promises broken time and again. Every home in the valley tells a story of resilience: of mothers waiting for disappeared sons, of fathers unjustly detained, and of generations who refuse to surrender their identity.
For them, October 27 is not merely an anniversary, it is a living reminder of how the world’s conscience has failed them. It is a day that asks why international law and human rights conventions lose their meaning when it comes to Kashmir. The struggle of Kashmir is not a cry for war but for dignity, peace, and the right to decide one’s own destiny. It is a call for the international community to rise above silence and double standards. The United Nations, global powers, and human rights defenders must renew their commitment to justice in Kashmir, not just through statements but through meaningful diplomatic and humanitarian actions. History will not absolve indifference, nor will the pain of the people fade with time. Kashmir remains a test of humanity’s conscience, and each October 27 serves as a reminder that peace cannot exist without justice. For the people of Kashmir, this Black Day is both an expression of grief and a reaffirmation of their resilience. They continue to hope that one day, the chains of occupation will break and the paradise once known for its beauty will breathe in freedom again. Until that day comes, October 27 will remain a solemn symbol of resistance, remembrance, and the unyielding will of a people who refuse to forget their right to self-determination.
The writer is a student of BS in International Relations at Federal Urdu University Islamabad and is currently serving as an intern at Kashmir Institute of International Relations.