protests unilateral abrogation of Articles 370 & 35A, reiterates demand for restoration of statehood and constitutional safeguards
Baramulla, August 5:
The Baramulla unit of the Jammu & Kashmir Apni Party on Wednesday held a protest meeting at its party office to mark the anniversary of August 5, 2019, when the Government of India unilaterally abrogated Articles 370 & 35A, revoked the special constitutional status of the erstwhile State of Jammu & Kashmir, and reorganized it into two Union Territories.
The protest was organised to condemn the unilateral abrogation of Articles 370 & 35A and the subsequent downgrading of Jammu & Kashmir from a full-fledged State to two Union Territories. The party described the developments of August 5, 2019, as a watershed moment that fundamentally altered the constitutional and political relationship between Jammu & Kashmir and the Union of India. Party leaders said the decision, taken without the consent of the people or their elected representatives, weakened democratic institutions and led to the political disempowerment of the people of Jammu & Kashmir.
The protest meeting was convened to condemn the unilateral decision and to renew the party’s demand for the restoration of full statehood, along with meaningful constitutional and legal safeguards, including safeguards relating to land, employment opportunities and identity, for the people of Jammu & Kashmir.
According to party leaders, Party Vice President and Constituency In-charge Jenab Shabir Ahmad Lone, Youth Leader Faraz Ashraf, and several party associates were not allowed to leave the party office during the programme. They further alleged that several party workers were prevented from entering the office premises to participate in the peaceful protest meeting.
Addressing the media, Party Vice President and Constituency In-charge Jenab Shabir Ahmad Lone said that the restoration of statehood must remain the foremost priority for the Government of India.
“Seven years have passed since Jammu & Kashmir was downgraded from a full-fledged state to a Union Territory. The aspirations of the people cannot be fulfilled without the restoration of democratic institutions and full statehood. We once again urge the Government of India to honour its repeated assurances and restore Jammu & Kashmir’s statehood at the earliest. Alongside statehood, the people deserve credible safeguards to protect their land, employment opportunities and identity. Strengthening democracy, empowering elected institutions and restoring the constitutional dignity of Jammu & Kashmir are essential for lasting peace, development and public confidence,” Shabir Ahmad Lone said.
Speaking on the occasion, Faraz Ashraf, Youth Leader, Jammu & Kashmir Apni Party, said that August 5, 2019, marked a turning point that, in his view, disrupted the democratic and political fabric of Jammu & Kashmir.
“The unilateral abrogation of Articles 370 & 35A, the revocation of Jammu & Kashmir’s special constitutional status and its bifurcation into two Union Territories represented a serious political disempowerment of its people. If constitutional protections under Articles 371A, 371F and 371G continue to exist for states like Nagaland, Sikkim and Mizoram, it raises an important constitutional and political question as to why similar constitutional protections for Jammu & Kashmir became unacceptable. We believe the decision was taken to satisfy political and electoral considerations outside Jammu & Kashmir, while overlooking the sentiments, aspirations and democratic rights of its people. Democracy flourishes through dialogue and consensus, not through unilateral decisions,” Faraz Ashraf said.
The leaders reiterated that the Jammu & Kashmir Apni Party would continue to peacefully and democratically oppose the unilateral abrogation of Articles 370 & 35A while pursuing the restoration of full statehood and meaningful constitutional safeguards to protect the unique identity, land and employment rights of the people of Jammu & Kashmir.
The programme concluded with party leaders and workers reaffirming their commitment to safeguarding the democratic rights and constitutional aspirations of the people of Jammu & Kashmir, while calling for the restoration of statehood, meaningful constitutional safeguards, and continued democratic opposition to the unilateral abrogation of Articles 370 & 35A through peaceful and constitutional means.