Members of the Jammu and Kashmir diaspora in the UK gathered outside the UK Parliament to protest against what they describe as "Pakistan's state-sponsored terrorism." The demonstrators carried signs and banners reading "Pakistan stop terrorising," "Pakistan stop killing innocent people in Jammu and Kashmir," and "The world must act on Pakistan's terrorism." They urged parliamentarians and other institutions to take action to end what they see as Pakistan's use of terrorism as a state policy in Jammu and Kashmir.
The protesters claimed that Pakistan's agenda is to destabilize the region and undermine its progress, disregarding the welfare of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. During the protest, members of the Hindu community shared their personal experiences of violence linked to Pakistan's "terrorism infrastructure," which they say specifically targets them.
The event saw support from a broad segment of the Indian diaspora, including those who have been affected by terrorism, whether as members of the Indian Army or during religious pilgrimages such as the Amarnath Yatra and Shiv Khori.
The protest was a reaction to a Pakistan-sponsored event on Kashmir held at the UK Parliament the same day. The diaspora claimed the event overlooked the realities on the ground in Jammu and Kashmir, including Pakistan's illegal occupation of parts of the region and its role in institutionalizing terrorism through both state and non-state actors.
Protesters criticized the event for excluding key stakeholders from Jammu and Kashmir, including Kashmiri Hindus, Dogras, Gujjars, Bakarwals, Paharis, Sikhs, and the Buddhists and Shia Muslims of Ladakh. Indo-European Kashmir Forum President Krishna Bhan addressed the crowd, emphasizing the overlooked plight of Kashmiri Hindus who were forced to flee their homes due to what she described as "Pakistan-sponsored terrorism" in the 1990s.
Voice of Dogras founder Manu Khajuria condemned the event organized by Pakistan, highlighting its focus on Jammu and Kashmir through invasions, proxy wars, and radicalization efforts. She underscored that the real issue lies in Pakistan's illegal occupation and severe human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir.
A representative from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK) also spoke about the suppression of dissent, arbitrary arrests, and poor socio-economic conditions, including inadequate healthcare and education.
In addition to the protest, a digital van campaign was launched across the city to inform the UK public about the historical and current realities of Jammu and Kashmir. This campaign aims to expose what the diaspora describes as "Pakistan's state-sponsored terrorism" and the ongoing human rights abuses in the occupied territories.
BSF Jawan Injured in Unprovoked Firing by Pakistani Troops in Jammu's Akhnoor Sector
Pak Military Responds with Intelligence Operations After Deadly Insurgent Attacks in Balochistan