By: Farooq Mirza
NEW YORK — A large number of members of the Kashmiri and Pakistani-American diaspora, including women, children and young people, held a protest outside the United Nations in New York against India’s position on Kashmir and called for international attention to the long-standing Kashmir dispute.
The protest was organized on the occasion of the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly, where Indian External Affairs Minister Dr Jaishankar was scheduled to address the United Nations.
Participants included members and supporters of organizations such as Kashmir Mission USA, Kashmir Liberation Front, as well as Pakistani-American and Kashmiri diaspora groups from different parts of the United States.
The protesters called on the United Nations to play a role in addressing the Kashmir dispute and demanded what they described as the right of self-determination for the people of Kashmir.
Addressing the gathering, speakers raised concerns about alleged human rights violations in Kashmir and said that the international community should pay greater attention to the situation.
They questioned why major international powers and other countries continue to discuss conflicts in different parts of the world while, in their view, the Kashmir issue receives comparatively less attention.
Addressing the crowd through a megaphone, Raja Razzaq praised the determination of those in attendance including children, women, and elderly participants who showed up despite harsh, cold rain that caused other groups to cancel their events. He called on the media to highlight their perseverance.
“I want to request the media to notice that while people from many other nations cancelled their programs today due to this extremely harsh, cold rain, you stood your ground,” the speaker said, offering his respect to the demonstrators.
Turning his focus to the United Nations, the speaker appealed directly to the international body to fulfill promises made decades ago.
Taj Khan noted that while the UN has existed for 81 years, Kashmiris have been awaiting a resolution for 78 years.
“We are demanding the rights of the Kashmiri people,” he urged, calling for international pressure to address the heavy military presence in the region and push India toward meaningful dialogue.
He concluded with a broader warning about global injustice, stating that powerful nations continue to exploit weaker regions. Taj Khan urged the international community to act, warning that unchecked injustice threatens to disrupt global peace.
Khald Awan from PPP USA said that Kashmiri communities organize demonstrations outside the United Nations and other prominent locations in New York every year to draw international attention to their demands.
Among those participating in the protest were Kashmir activist Raja Mukhtar, Sardar Sawar Khan, Imtiaz Glarvi, Raja Razaq, Amna Kashmiri, Captain Khalid Shaheen Butt’s team and Khalid Awan from PPP
The participants urged the United Nations and world leaders attending the General Assembly to make the Kashmir dispute a subject of international discussion and work toward a peaceful resolution.
A significant number of women and children also participated in the demonstration. Despite rainy weather, people traveled from different states and locations to join the protest and record their concerns.
Human rights organizations and members of the American media were also present around the demonstration, as protesters sought to draw wider international attention to their message.
Kashmiri leader Raja Mukhtar said they would continue raising their voices at international forums until their demands regarding the Kashmir dispute and the right to self-determination receive greater international attention.
He further added that
“Today, Indian representative Subrahmanyam Jaishankar speaks inside, claiming India is a democracy,” the speaker declared. “We say: shame on you! This is the same United Nations where a resolution on Kashmir was passed back in 1948, signed by both India and Pakistan. Yet after 76 years, India runs away from its commitment.”
Raja criticized India for denying Kashmir’s status on global maps and issued a direct “wake-up call” to the United Nations. He argued that for 78 years, Kashmiris have been left in despair due to the UN’s inaction.
“Resolutions are passed daily, but none are implemented,” he added. “Diplomats enjoy luxury while ignoring human rights. Either the UN fixes its system and holds lawbreakers accountable or those responsible for failing to enforce justice must themselves be brought to task.”
