By TwoCircles.net, Staff Reporter
Washington: On Saturday May 27, hundreds of Kashmiri diaspora took out a protest rally in Washington and protested outside White House demanding United Nations – assured “right of self-determination” for the conflict-ridden region in India and Pakistan.
Raising slogans of: “Kashmiri Lives Matter Too” “Kashmir in Pain: India in Shame” “Indian Forces: Out of Kashmir” “Demilitarize Kashmir” “U.N. Implement Resolutions on Kashmir” “Stop Forced Disappearances and Torture in Kashmir,” the marchers held candle light vigil on the sidewalks of the White House.
Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai who organised the march said that there is no freedom in Kashmir. “Only death, destruction and oppression. He reiterated that the United States paved the way for freedom around the world. The United States can help the people of Kashmir achieve peace, freedom and self-determination.”
Dr. Imtiaz Khan, President, Kashmiri American council supported dialogue process between India and Pakistan to settle the Kashmir dispute, but emphasized that the “leadership” of the people of Kashmir must be made integral part of the process. “President Trump should listen to Mr. P. Chidambaram, former Home Minister of India who said on February 25, 2017 that India has lost Kashmir. Yashwant Sinha, former foreign minister of India said on January 27, 2017 that India has failed Kashmiris and Kashmiris claim that they have lost faith in India,” said Khan.
Barrister Sultan Mehmood Choudhary, another speaker warned that the Kashmiri youth, who had laid down their arms to pursue their struggle by peaceful means, were again becoming restive and the prevailing tensions in Kashmir might explode and lead to a conflict. He urged the international community to resolve the Kashmir dispute for the sake of peace and stability in South Asia.