Here’s Why Everyone Is Changing Their Display Pictures To A Red Square #RedForKashmir

If you have been seeing the red colour sprawled across your social media today and have been wondering what the reason is, here are all your answers.

What’s the context?

The Indian Government revoked Article 370 today, and as a result Jammu and Kashmir is losing its special status and will be recognised as a Union Territory. The state will be divided into two parts – J&K in the west and Ladakh in the east. This decision has left the country divided in its interpretation and the fairness of the decision. Many believe that this is immoral and unconstitutional. Users have been quick to point out that Article 370 was the instrument which defined the relationship between India and J&K, and the termination of the same, revokes the relationship as well. Since yesterday, the media has been unable to get any reports from the state as al communication has been shut down, including landlines, internet, radio, and cable TV services.

How did the #RedForKashmir movement start?

An Instagram account called @withkashmir initiated this idea to bring attention to what was happening since yesterday.

“We are going #RedForKashmir to bring global attention to the region. As Kashmir goes under communication blackout, it becomes your duty to amplify their voices,” its post said. “Red is the colour of our blood. Red is the colour of our history. Red is all of us,” it reads.

Change your profile picture to red to show support for Kashmir. #StandWithKashmir #RedForKashmir pic.twitter.com/ArRHRf7usr

— Sameera Khan (@SameeraKhan) August 4, 2019

 

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As Kashmir is going through an internet blockade, we want to bring global attention to the crisis that we are witnessing. Around 25,000+ Indian troops have been deployed in a region with reportedly half a million Indian troops already present. In the past couple of days, leaders, activists, and journalists have been detained. Businesses, schools, and all transportation have been shut off. City streets and rural villages are being patrolled by Indian military forces. People continue to be locked in their homes after a curfew was declared. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ More info: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/04/heightened-security-and-anxiety-in-kashmir-amid-fears-of-unrest AND https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/08/panic-kashmir-india-asks-tourists-pilgrims-leave-190802145955424.html ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ We are going #RedForKashmir to bring global attention to the region. As Kashmir goes under communication blackout, it becomes your duty to amplify their voices. ⠀ #RedForKashmir #StandWithKashmir #Kashmir #HumanRights #InternationalLaw

A post shared by Stand with Kashmir (@standwkashmir) on Aug 4, 2019 at 1:54pm PDT

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#redforkashmir

A post shared by It'x Ka_min_ay (@_itxkaminay_) on Aug 5, 2019 at 1:12am PDT

 

My parents are making last minute phone calls to friends and family. I am shaken by their calmness. They sent money to my brother (outside of Kashmir) not knowing their own fate post midnight in a very matter of fact way. Our lives are survival.#KashmirBleeds #StandWithKashmir

— Zara Bakshi (@BakZara) August 4, 2019

Friends and family in #Kashmir were sending messages over the last few days asking if India has some sort of a final solution in mind. It was too hard to give comfort or say everything will be fine. Now the messages have stopped coming. The long night has begun #StandwithKashmir

— M Junaid (@mjunaidr) August 4, 2019

Imagine sitting at home, cut off from the world (even TV jammed!) with soldiers at every corner, the streets cleared, and you’re fully aware that something is being decided about your future but you don’t know what, or when, or how. This is when you know you’re occupied #Kashmir

— Azad Essa (@azadessa) August 5, 2019