Jammu & Kashmir Study Centre UK (JKSC) hosted an event at the UK Parliament to observe India’s ‘Sankalp Divas’ (Resolution Day). The event marked the unanimous resolution passed by both Houses of the Indian Parliament on February 22, 1994, reaffirming India’s unwavering stance that the entire region of Jammu & Kashmir is an integral part of the Indian Territory. It emphasised India’s right to reclaim Mirpur-Muzaffarabad, Gilgit, and Baltistan, areas that fell victim to Pakistani aggression.
Attended by over 100 attendees, the gathering included members of the UK Parliament, local councillors, community leaders, representatives from various organisations, and prominent members of the diaspora. Distinguished guests included MP Bob Blackman, MP Theresa Villiers, MP Elliot Colburn, and MP Virendra Sharma. The keynote speakers were Professor Sajjad Raja from Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (POJK), who is currently residing in exile in the United Kingdom, and Yana Mir, a distinguished Kashmiri Activist currently serving as a Senior Anchor with Bharat Express News Network.
Highlights of the Event
The event provided a comprehensive overview of the socio-cultural and political landscape of Jammu & Kashmir, underscoring the diverse multi-cultural, multireligious, and multi-linguistic nature of J&K.
Senior Anchor with Bharat Express News Network, Yana Mir, received the Diversity Ambassador Award for championing diversity in the J&K region. She outlined the progress following the abrogation of Article 370, emphasising improved security, Government initiatives, and funds allocation. Yana also commended the Indian army’s efforts, including deradicalisation programs and substantial investments in youth for sports and education, countering media narratives that vilifies the Indian Army.
Sajjad Raja underscored the egregious violation of basic human rights in PoJK, expressing emotional concern over the inaction or apathy by the Indian Government despite its resolution and rightful claim over the Pakistani occupied territories. He urged individuals to voice their concerns and stand against Pakistan’s illegal occupation of PoJK.
All the parliamentarians expressed their appreciation for the shared insights and encouraged the continuation of such events to unveil the ground realities of Jammu & Kashmir, a perspective often absent from the mainstream narrative. They stressed the importance of ongoing interactions on this subject.
The event culminated on a note of optimism, with participants expressing a palpable enthusiasm for further delving into the intricacies of the Jammu & Kashmir region. JKSC UK fervently encouraged attendees to actively engage in forthcoming discussions, emphasising the pivotal role of countering misinformation to foster a well-informed public discourse concerning the region.
