The event was organised to mark Pakistan’s invasion of Jammu and Kashmir on October 22, 1947

To observe ‘Black Day’ or the day when Pakistan invaded Kashmir on October 22, 1947, a two-day National Symposium & Exhibition on “MEMORIES OF 22 OCTOBER 1947” was opened in Jammu & Kashmir’s (J&K) Srinagar. The symposium has been organised to highlight the historical relevance of the day.

The symposium has been organised by the Union Ministry of Culture at the SKICC in Srinagar. The exhibition is being organised by the National Museum Institute of History of Art, Conservation & Museology (NMI).

The symposium was attended by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha while Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Prahlad Singh Patel also participated through video conferencing.

Speaking at the event, LG Sinha said, “22 Oct, 1947 is BlackDay; at the same time it is also the moment of history for us to make both the elderly & the younger generation aware that Pakistan did not only shed the blood of the people & Kashmiriyat, it tried to divide us, which we have failed with our unity & goodwill.”



Calling terrorism is a collective enemy of humanity, he said, “Terrorism is collective enemy of humanity & the entire world knows about the actual perpetrators of terrorism. It is high time we defeat their evil designs by spreading communal harmony & love for humanity. It is necessary to unmask Pakistan & its sympathizers.”

The event will also be shown through videos and graphics to the people.

After India got its independence and Pakistan became a separate country, the kings of princely states were given an option to become a part of any of the two counties. The princely state of Jammu and Kashmir wanted time to decide but Pakistan had other plans.

On October 22, 1947, Pakistan launched ‘Operation Gulmarg,’ and invaded Kashmir after months of planning which resulted in the killing of thousands of people. The invaders carried out the acts of plunder, rape, arson, looting and killing.

Jammu and Kashmir's ruler Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession to India on October 26, 1947. The next day, the Indian Army launched an operation to drive out the invaders.