Protesters Called Modi “Hindu Supremacist” at UN Summit, Protesters Take to NY Streets
Verified Research
“We are here for the reason which is larger than life,” said Imran Iqbal, Information Secretary of Pakistan Tehreek-e Insaf (PTI – Pakistan Movement for Justice).
Pakistani and Kashmir people protested Modi, calling him “a fascist dictator” and “Hindu supremacist” last Friday, starting from 10.30 a.m., on 47th street and 2nd ave. The protest was organized by Kashmir Mission U.S.A., supported by people from different nationalities like Bengalis, Americans, including Sikh Youth of America. People were carrying signs, such as “Stop Killing in Kashmir,” “When Injustice Becomes Law, Resistance Becomes Duty,” “Indian Forces Out of Kashmir” and more. People demand Indian forces were confronted by a counter-protest across the street with some attempts of provocation. However, thousands of pro-Kashmir protesters were outnumbered hugely.
World leaders gathered this year in New York for the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 17, 2019. The gathering focused on climate justice, led by 16-years old activist Greta Thunberg, as well as “Killing. Migration, Poverty. Corruption. Inequality. Sovereignty violations.” Mohamed Solih, President of Maldives, said, “the problems of our times are extraordinary.”
The tension between Pakistan and India and the Kashmir conflict were also among the headlines. This year, the roads hosted more enthusiastic protests than ever around the New York UN headquarter. One of them was organized by people, who want the Indian army out of Kashmir. Iqbal explained to Scriberr News why they showed up and what they demand:
“We are here today for the human rights violation in India. This message is very clear. We are not here to the Pakistani. We are not here for any government or something. We are here as a human being, that’s why you see here people from all across the country.”
He remarked that there are people from England, Egypt and Palestine to support the demands of protesters.
“Let somebody speak. Let somebody say whatever wants to say. Let someone say the way they want to live,” he continued. “This is not a curfew; people using the word curfew. Curfew is for the betterment of society. This is a surge. This is a lockdown. This is a sub-jail in Kashmir,” he added.
He also made a call to President Trump.
“I ask President Trump, who is my president as well. Forget about that who is right, who is wrong, who suspends the occupation, who is not,” Iqbal said. “The question is that you’ve got to make the decision what is right what’s wrong if there are human rights violation you’ve got to stand up.”
However, President Trump said he would be willing to mediate between India and Pakistan over Kashmir in his meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday, Sept. 23.
Ashok Swain, Professor of Peace and Conflict Research tweeted about the situation.
“While Trump wants to mediate #Kashmir, he has asked Imran Khan to mediate #Iran! Has Trump asked Modi to meditate instead? https://middleeastmonitor.com/20190926-saudi-arabia-seeks-pakistani-mediation-with-iran/#.XY2_xZbvT90.twitter… via
In the protest, the attendance of the youth and women also pulled attention. Ansa Kamran, 20, with an elderly lady, Tahira Kamran, 50, were among them.
Ansa said she is here to support her fellow Muslims in Kashmir, where she has her roots, and her ancestors come from there.
“They need to end the oppression in Kashmir,” she said. Tahira also said clearly, “I want Kashmir to be free.”
“For my Kashmiri brothers and sisters, I want to protest against Narendra Modi, who is a butcher, and who is killing Kashmiris. We want him to leave the curfew from there and release our sisters and brothers,” she said.
