Staff reporter:
A peaceful protest march was held in London by British Kashmiris to mark the 42nd death anniversary of Maqbool Bhat, regarded by supporters as the “Father of the Nation” and a martyr of Kashmir. The march began at Parliament Square and proceeded to the Indian High Commission, where demonstrators paid tribute to Maqbool Bhat and chanted slogans in support of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and their right to self-determination.
Participants carried party flags, banners, and portraits of Maqbool Bhat. Protesters voiced opposition to what they described as India’s failure to fulfill historic commitments to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, as well as ongoing political repression and serious human rights concerns.
During the demonstration, political leaders and representatives of various organizations spoke to the media, highlighting Maqbool Bhat’s struggle, the current situation in Jammu and Kashmir, and the Kashmiri people’s demand for self-determination.
The march was led by leaders of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front, including Aftab Ahmed, Sardar Mehtab Ahmed, Sajid Rashid, Sabir Gul, Liaqat Lone, Tahseen Gilani, Shakeel Jarral, and Fareed Ayaz. JKNP was represented by Khawaja Hassan Mahmood, Sajid Shaheen, Saleem Yas, and Zia Ahmed. Comrade Irfan Yaqoob and Asif Khan attended on behalf of PRF/NSF, while Muhammad Yasir represented KFM.
Demonstrators condemned alleged illegal detentions, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, violence against women, the use of pellet guns, and restrictions on freedom of expression. They called for the immediate release of political prisoners, including Yasin Malik and Shabbir Shah, the return of Maqbool Bhat’s remains to his family, and an end to human rights violation.
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