India cannot erase memory of July 19: APHC leader
Senior leader of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) and Chairman of Jammu Kashmir Salvation Movement, Altaf Ahmed Bhat, has paid glowing tribute to the historic legacy of Accession to Pakistan Day, calling it a reflection of the Kashmiri people's enduring aspirations, identity, and deep-rooted ties with Pakistan.
In a statement issued on Friday, Altaf Ahmed Bhat said, "The resolution passed on 19 July 1947 by the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference wasn't just a political statement - it was the heartbeat of a nation choosing its natural destiny with Pakistan. That heartbeat still echoes in every Kashmiri home, every wounded soul, and every mother who waits for her martyred son's dream to be fulfilled."
He described the day as a moment to remember the collective will of the people of Jammu & Kashmir, who — even before the Partition was fully realized — envisioned their future aligned with Pakistan, bound by faith, culture, geography, and shared struggle.
Altaf Ahmed Bhat strongly condemned the Indian government's persistent denial of this historical truth and its efforts to suppress Kashmiris through force, fear, and fabricated narratives.
"India may erase articles, jail leaders, or silence voices, but it cannot erase the memory of 19 July, nor the truth that the people of Kashmir have never accepted Indian occupation - not then, not now," he added.
He reiterated that Pakistan has always been the moral, emotional, and political backbone of Kashmir's freedom movement. He urged the leadership of Pakistan to further intensify its diplomatic and international outreach for the resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
Altaf Ahmed Bhat also paid heartfelt tribute to the martyrs, prisoners, and families who have borne the brunt of India's brutal occupation for over seven decades.
"Our journey is soaked in sacrifice — of innocent lives, shattered homes, and stolen childhoods. Yet, our resolve remains unshaken. The dream of freedom lives on, stitched into the soul of every Kashmiri," he said.
In conclusion, Altaf Ahmed Bhat called upon the Kashmiri diaspora, Pakistani brethren, and the global community to stand united in their support for the just cause of Kashmir. "Let the 19th of July not just be a day on the calendar — but a living promise that we shall never surrender, and never forget where we belong."
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