M Rashid Tabassum
October 27, 1947, remains a painful date in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. On this day, Indian troops landed in Srinagar, marking the beginning of a prolonged conflict that has denied generations of Kashmiris peace and the right to determine their future. Observed as Black Day by Kashmiris worldwide, October 27 symbolizes an unresolved dispute and unfulfilled aspirations.
The partition of British India in August 1947 allowed princely states to accede to either Pakistan or India, taking relevant circumstances into account. Jammu and Kashmir had a Muslim-majority population, with strong geographical, cultural, and economic links to Pakistan. However, Maharaja Hari Singh’s decision to accede to India, under circumstances that remain contested, laid the foundation for a dispute that continues to threaten regional peace. Indian troops entered the Valley following the accession agreement claimed by India, whose legitimacy Pakistan and many Kashmiris dispute.
The Radcliffe Award remains another controversial chapter. The allocation of Muslim majority Gurdaspur to India provided a crucial land route to Jammu and Kashmir, facilitating Indian military access. Many Pakistanis regard this decision as a grave injustice that influenced the course of events.
As fighting intensified, India referred the dispute to the UN Security Council. In April 1948, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 47, which recommended measures to restore peace and create conditions for a free and impartial plebiscite to determine the state’s future. Decades later, this promise remains unfulfilled. The dispute is therefore not merely a territorial disagreement between two nuclear-armed neighbours; it concerns the political rights and aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
On August 5, 2019, India’s BJP government revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status under Article 370 and associated provisions, including Article 35A. Pakistan and Kashmiri leaders opposed the move, viewing it as a threat to the region’s distinct identity and demographic character. Restrictions on movement and communication, detentions of political leaders, and changes to domicile rules intensified concerns. Critics also warn that changes affecting land ownership, employment, and education could undermine Kashmir’s cultural identity.
Behind the political dispute lies a painful human tragedy. According to figures cited by Kashmir Media Service, more than 96,000 Kashmiris have been killed since January 1989. Figures supplied for the first nine months of 2026 report 26 Kashmiris killed and 4,738 arrested during 1,903 cordon-and-search operations. Families continue to seek justice for missing and deceased relatives, while reports of prolonged detention raise further concerns.
Freedom of expression is another important concern. Journalists working in Kashmir face restrictions, legal pressure and difficulties in reporting on sensitive issues. Laws relating to national security and public order have raised concerns about the space available for independent journalism. Reporters Without Borders ranked India 157th among 180 countries in its 2026 World Press Freedom Index, reflecting wider concerns about press freedom and the safety of journalists. Independent reporting is essential to ensuring that allegations of abuse can be investigated and that affected communities have a voice.
For Pakistan, Kashmir remains a longstanding political and diplomatic issue rooted in partition and the right to self-determination. Successive governments have called for the implementation of relevant UN resolutions and supported a peaceful resolution through diplomatic means.
However, lasting peace requires meaningful dialogue, respect for human rights, and serious consideration of the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. The international community must monitor developments and promote accountability for credible allegations of human rights violations. October 27 should serve as a reminder that peace in South Asia cannot be achieved through force, silence, or unilateral decisions, but requires a peaceful and just settlement that enables the people of Kashmir to determine their future with dignity, freedom, and justice.
Note: The writer is a freelance journalist based in Lahore, can be reached at rashid.vapk@gmail.com
