Ethnic Kashmiris worldwide are tired of constantly having to identify as 'other' Kashmiris and 'ethnic' Kashmiris as our identity has been appropriated and misrepresented by people of Azad Jammu Kashmir, a region where less than 5% of the inhabitants are actually of ethnic Kashmiri origin.

Furthermore, Kashmiri is an ethnic group, not a nationality as due to the Indian occupation of Kashmir, there is sadly no such thing as a Kashmiri state.

The UK is a prime example of misrepresentation and appropriation of the Kashmiri identity where majority of the Pakistanis are non ethnic Kashmiris with origins in Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, a region which was previously Punjab and then Jammu, yet never Kashmir. Yet these people identify as Kashmiri and spread misinformation about our culture and origins.

Kashmiris, we have our own language, customs, cuisine, culture, completely distinct from people of Azad Jammu and Kashmiri who are majority ethnically Paharis.

There is even a growing number of Mirpuris asking for the UK census to add 'Kashmiri' as an ethnicity for them to check. This is misleading and dangerous and a threat to the survival of our identity.

By signing this petition, we are showing how we acknowledge the seriousness of this situation and kindly request Mirpuris and others of AJK who are not ethnically Kashmiri to refrain from using 'Kashmiri' to self identify.