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.

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We are witnessing a grave escalation of the crisis in Kashmir. 35k troops have been deployed in a region with reportedly already half a million Indian troops. There is an internet blockade and communication blackout. Preceding to this situation political leaders, activists and even journalists have been detained. The troops are patrolling on the streets and people continue to be locked in their homes after a curfew was declared. Indian government has revoked the Article 370 which established India’s relationship with Kashmir. Situation remains tense, as Indian Army along with other troops continue to patrol in a region which is the most militarised zone in the world. 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 Red is the colour of our blood. Red is the colour of our history. Red is all of us. As Kashmiris continue to live under an Internet blockade it becomes your duty to amplify their voices. Tag your friends and spread the word. Via @standwkashmir

A post shared by With Kashmir (@withkashmir) on Aug 4, 2019 at 11:49am PDT

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 Ayesha Chaudhary (@ayeshachaudhary290) on Aug 5, 2019 at 1:12am PDT

 

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#redforkashmir

A post shared by Talha Bilal🤙 (@talhaistic21) on Aug 5, 2019 at 1:15am PDT

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#redforkashmir #standwithkashmir

A post shared by Inaam khan (Amie) (@khaninaam66) on Aug 5, 2019 at 12:56am 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