Kashmir Solidarity Day: A Complex Narrative of Allegiance, Oppression, Distracted National Focus, Anti-India Propaganda, and the Need for True Independence

Kashmir Solidarity Day, observed annually on February 5, is one of the most significant national events in Pakistan. The day is designed to express Pakistan’s unwavering political, moral, and diplomatic support for the Kashmiri people’s struggle for self-determination, in line with the United Nations Charter and related UN resolutions. It’s a day dedicated to showing solidarity with the people of Indian-occupied Kashmir, highlighting their ongoing fight for independence, and paying homage to the martyrs who have lost their lives in pursuit of that goal.

The event is marked by various public activities, including processions, prayers in mosques for the liberation of Kashmir, and protests against what is perceived as the Indian occupation of the region. These events are carried out not only across Pakistan but also in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and other parts of the world, particularly where Kashmiri expatriates are present. The official narrative behind Kashmir Solidarity Day is to rally the people of Pakistan behind the cause of Kashmiri freedom.

However, as with many such observances, there is more than one side to the story.

The Narrative of Oppression and National Divide

While Kashmir Solidarity Day is promoted as a day of unity, the reality of the situation is far more complicated. Pakistan’s narrative of support for the Kashmiri people often obscures its own historical actions, especially regarding the region’s complex past. One significant aspect of this is the role Pakistan played in the forced exodus of Kashmiri Pandits — the Hindu population of the region — in the late 20th century. Thousands of Kashmiri Hindus were displaced from their homes, and the violence they suffered remains a painful chapter of the region’s history.

While Pakistan’s leadership often refers to India’s actions in Kashmir, it is important to also examine Pakistan’s role in the conflict and its own contributions to the turmoil that has affected the region for decades. The political manipulation and military involvement of Pakistan in Kashmir, dating back to 1947, has led to the current state of conflict. Pakistan’s occupation of parts of Jammu and Kashmir — particularly in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan — has seen no significant improvements in the lives of its people, raising questions about the efficacy of the Pakistani government’s focus on Kashmir at the expense of domestic issues.

Kashmir Solidarity Day’s Origins

Kashmir Day was first observed in 1990 on the call of Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, who, at the time, was the opposition leader and Chief Minister of Punjab. Sharif initiated a nationwide strike to protest against the Indian occupation of Kashmir and called for prayers for the success of the Kashmiri freedom movement. It was later officially declared a public holiday by the Pakistan People’s Party, and since then, Kashmir Solidarity Day has been commemorated each year on February 5.

The declaration of Kashmir Day as a national holiday and a day of political expression reflects the Pakistani government’s longstanding commitment to the cause of Kashmiri independence. However, this commitment raises some pertinent questions about national priorities.

The Cost of a Divisive Narrative

Pakistan’s continuous obsession with Kashmir has often been framed in the context of religion and national identity. While the narrative of standing with the Kashmiri people is presented as a moral obligation, the political exploitation of this issue has been a divisive tool within Pakistan. By focusing excessively on Kashmir, the government distracts its citizens from the pressing issues at home — economic crises, unemployment, poverty, inflation, and social inequality.

Pakistan’s obsession with Kashmir, viewed by some as an illusion, has been compared to the behavior of someone who relentlessly pursues a relationship despite repeated rejection — a metaphor that highlights the futility of the pursuit. The country has been repeatedly conditioned into believing that Kashmir is the ultimate objective, while internal concerns remain sidelined. This approach fails to address the root causes of economic and social issues that Pakistan’s citizens face daily.

“Pakistan’s like that guy who’s obsessed with Kashmir, even though she’s already married to India. He keeps on sending the flowers on her door, saying, ‘I know you’re taken, but how about a second marriage? It’s acceptable in Islam.’ Kashmir’s over there like, ‘Dude, I’m happily married; please stop sending the flowers—we’ll cut them or peel them off!’”

In regions such as Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK), the situation is no better. Many locals in POK feel disillusioned with Pakistan’s leadership and are increasingly ready to join India due to the lack of development, the absence of opportunities, and the general neglect of the region. The focus on Kashmir as a political weapon of national identity, instead of focusing on improving the lives of people in POK, has led to frustration.

The Role of Media in Creating Anti-India Narratives

A significant aspect of Pakistan’s Kashmir Solidarity Day narrative is the use of media to perpetuate an anti-India agenda. Through state-controlled media and other outlets, the Pakistani government shapes public opinion about India and Kashmir by portraying India as the primary oppressor in the region. These narratives are designed to evoke strong emotions of resentment, anger, and distrust towards India, and they often depict the Indian government as a violator of human rights and international law in Kashmir.

State media and social media platforms in Pakistan consistently bombard the public with stories of alleged Indian atrocities, framing the narrative around Kashmir as a tale of suffering and oppression caused by India. These reports often omit or downplay Pakistan’s own role in the region’s conflict, instead placing the blame solely on India. The media also uses emotional language, dramatic imagery, and selective reporting to fuel nationalist sentiment and create an image of India as the enemy.

This constant media campaign has the dual effect of rallying the population around the Kashmir cause while simultaneously sowing discord between India and Pakistan. By focusing so intensely on India’s supposed wrongdoing, the media obscures the complexities of the Kashmir issue and the need for peaceful dialogue. Instead, the public is conditioned to view India through a lens of hostility, which complicates the path to a peaceful resolution.

Additionally, this media-driven narrative contributes to a sense of national unity in Pakistan, often portraying the country’s position on Kashmir as a matter of national pride and sovereignty. The portrayal of Kashmir as an unresolved issue fuels a collective identity centered on opposition to India, which can be politically advantageous for leaders seeking to distract the public from domestic challenges.

Kashmir Day Special Song in Support of Kashmiri People | Express News

The people of Kashmir have been conditioned by Pakistan in the name of religion, creating a situation where their autonomy is undermined, and control is exerted over them. Pakistan has used the people of Kashmir as a tool, leveraging them in an attempt to challenge India, manipulating their identity and circumstances to further its own interests.

A Call for National Reflection and True Independence

Rather than continuing to focus exclusively on Kashmir as a foreign policy tool and a divisive national issue, it is time for Pakistan to shift its focus to addressing the needs and demands of its own people. The real desires of the Pakistani population, including those in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, are not centered around political battles with India, but rather around fundamental human rights — the right to education, the right to economic opportunity, and the right to social justice.

Figures like Malala Yousafzai, who symbolizes the courage and resilience of the people of Pakistan, especially its youth, reflect the collective yearning for progress. Malala’s story — advocating for education and women’s rights in the face of extremist opposition — echoes a much-needed narrative of empowerment and development that is often absent from the political landscape dominated by the Kashmir issue. The people of Pakistan, as well as the citizens of POK, seek the real independence that comes from access to quality education, healthcare, and employment opportunities. Their aspirations lie in breaking free from the shackles of poor governance, corruption, and mismanagement that plague the country.

Pakistan’s citizens deserve better than to be constantly used as pawns in the political game over Kashmir. They need a government that focuses on providing opportunities, advancing education, reducing poverty, and fostering innovation. The future of Pakistan’s citizens — from the streets of Lahore to the remote areas of Gilgit-Baltistan — depends not on foreign conflicts but on domestic progress and sustainable development.

In POK, where the focus on Kashmir as a political issue overshadows daily struggles, people are increasingly frustrated with the lack of governance and development. Many locals feel that their future lies not in perpetual loyalty to Pakistan but in seeking opportunities for a better life, which they feel may be possible through closer ties with India, especially considering India’s relative economic progress.

The Ancient Unity of Bharat: A Spiritual Foundation

Looking at the broader historical context, it is important to recognize that Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh were once integral parts of ancient India — known as Bharat. Throughout history, these regions were part of the same cultural, spiritual, and political landscape, united under the civilization that is today known as India. The partition of these regions in 1947, leading to the creation of Pakistan and later Bangladesh, was an event that disrupted centuries of shared heritage.

However, some geopolitical narratives have continued to push for territorial claims and religious ideologies under the guise of Islam, attempting to further divide the region. Over time, there has been a concerted effort to gradually encroach on territory step by step, driven by political and religious motivations. The annexation of regions, often in the name of spreading Islam, has been an ongoing agenda for certain factions within these countries.

But what these groups fail to understand is the spiritual essence that has always defined Bharat. This land, known in ancient scriptures as Bharat, is revered as the birthplace of gods and spiritual wisdom. It has been protected by a higher spiritual power — the divine force that has sustained the civilization through countless invasions, challenges, and political upheavals. The history of Bharat is not just that of rulers and empires but also of a deeply rooted spiritual connection that transcends time and borders.

No matter the attempts to fragment the land, the idea of turning Bharat into an Islamic state or forcing religious conversions will never come to fruition. Such plans to erase the ancient identity of Bharat are nothing more than a dream — a fantasy based on a misreading of history and culture. The land of Bharat is eternal (Amara Bharata/Immortal Bharat), and its spiritual significance and cultural unity will always stand strong. The idea that Bharat, the eternal land, could ever be fully overtaken or redefined by any foreign ideology or religion is simply not going to happen. The divine protection of this land ensures its survival and prosperity through all adversities.

True Solidarity Begins at Home

Kashmir Solidarity Day, while rooted in a history of political symbolism, can evolve into an opportunity for introspection and growth for Pakistan. If the country is truly to stand in solidarity with Kashmir, it must first address the needs of its own people. The real solidarity with Kashmir would come not from perpetuating a divisive narrative, but from providing opportunities for the people of Pakistan and POK to thrive and achieve their aspirations for a better future.

This requires a reimagined approach — one that focuses on internal development, human rights, and the prosperity of its citizens. True solidarity with Kashmir is not achieved through empty rhetoric or symbolic gestures but through a commitment to peace, progress, and genuine democracy. If Pakistan’s leadership turns its attention to these internal reforms and embraces a more balanced, peaceful, and pragmatic approach to Kashmir, it can truly create a future where both its people and those of Kashmir can enjoy lasting peace and prosperity.

In conclusion, while the geopolitical narrative continues to unfold, the essence of Bharat — an eternal, spiritual land — remains unbreakable. The true power of this land lies not in territorial disputes, but in its resilience, history, and the collective spirit of its people. The dream of turning Bharat into anything other than the sacred, diverse, and unified land it has always been is simply that — a dream that will never come true.

Make a note of it in your heart: the divine forces will forever safeguard the spiritual and cultural integrity of Bharat, ensuring its preservation for generations to come.