Branch officers and members showed support for the Free Kashmir Demonstration that took place in Victoria Square in response to the Indian government revocation of Article 370, which affords the people of Jammu and Kashmir autonomy and a protected status. Article 370 is sensitive because it guarantees significant autonomy for the Muslim-majority state but the BJP-led government is hailing its decision to strip the state of autonomy after seven decades. The decision has also been accompanied by a mass telecommunications blackout which has reportedly included restricting television broadcast and internet access as well as reported acts of violence and human rights violations.