Kashmiri-American Leaders Renew Call for Self-Determination on Martyrs’ Day
WASHINGTON — On the solemn occasion of Kashmir Martyrs’ Day, members of the Kashmiri-American community gathered in Washington to commemorate the sacrifices of thousands who lost their lives in pursuit of freedom and to reaffirm their call for a peaceful resolution to the long-standing Kashmir dispute—one they insist must be rooted in the will of the people, reported by APP.
The event marked the 94th anniversary of the July 13, 1931, massacre, when 22 Kashmiris were gunned down by forces of the Dogra Maharaja outside Srinagar Central Jail. The killings ignited what would become a decades-long struggle against oppression—one that community leaders say remains alive today.
Engineer Farooq Siddiqui, Chairman of the Kashmir Global Council, recalled the historic roots of the conflict and asserted that Kashmir was never part of India at the time of the 1947 partition. He argued that the decision to accede to India was made without the consent of the Kashmiri people. “Given a free and fair choice,” he said, “Kashmiris would choose independence.”
The speakers underscored the responsibility of the diaspora to amplify the cause on international platforms through sustained advocacy, media outreach, and diplomatic engagement. Raja Muzaffar emphasized the need for a future built on justice, self-determination, and peaceful coexistence with neighboring countries. Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Chairman of the World Forum for Peace & Justice, called July 13 a symbol of both suffering and resilience, noting that the spirit of resistance has only grown stronger over time.
Sardar Zarif Khan, advisor to the president of Azad Kashmir and the event’s main organizer, spoke of more than 100,000 lives lost in the conflict. “It’s time for Kashmiris to take charge of their destiny,” he said.
The event concluded with a symbolic human chain expressing solidarity with imprisoned Kashmiri leaders. Participants included voices from media, human rights, and civil society, all echoing the same plea: let the people of Kashmir decide their future.
