YouTube removes Hadiqa Kiani’s Kashmir tribute song

YouTube took down Pakistani singer Hadiqa Kiani’s tribute song for the people of Kashmir — Daimi Bahar — released on the Kashmir Martyrs’ Day and on the day of the botched coup attempt in Turkey — with Turkish singer Ali Tolga.

Determined, Kiani took to social media where she said that it was another attempt to silence the voices of the people of occupied Kashmir.

“Our tribute to Kashmir was removed from YouTube a few hours ago,” the Boohe Barian singer posted on Instagram. “There seems to be a systematic silencing taking place but we will not be silenced because our message is of love and peace.”

Not to be outdone, the singer disclosed that an international civil rights organisation was “actively working to re-upload the video” on social media.

Kiani’s song was a lyrical tribute to the people of Kashmir and Turkey for their resilience in tough times.

Moreover, Kiyani informed her Instagram followers that Kashmir Civitas, an international civil society committed to the rights of the Kashmiris, was “actively working to re-upload the video.”

The new song ‘Daimi Bahar‘, translated as eternal spring, is a lyrical tribute that was primarily written in Turkish with a few bits in Urdu. The song gives an overview of both Turkey and Kashmir’s sacrifice through gripping visuals.