SRINAGAR: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari stated on Saturday that the abrogation of J&K’s special status and statehood has deeply hurt the sentiments of the people in Jammu and Kashmir.
He emphasised that the special constitutional position and statehood were integral to the identity of the region and its people, and the impact of their removal would continuously hurt the masses here.
However, Bukhari expressed hope that the Supreme Court, currently reviewing the petitions related to Articles 370 and 35A, would restore these abrogated articles.
Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari made these remarks while addressing a party convention in the Rajbagh area of Srinagar.
Taking a dig at the regional political parties that have been at the helm of affairs for decades, he criticised them for attributing J&K to India when in power and speaking differently when out of power, which has made the identity of J&K people suspicious.
Apni Party President said that Article 370 and 35A were related to the identity of Jammu and Kashmir.
He said, “Even though these constitutional articles were revered by past rulers, the people of the region were emotionally attached to them, and they will continuously feel the pain of losing the special status and statehood of Jammu and Kashmir.”
Bukhari said that post-August 2019, when the entire state of J&K was in chaos and uncertainty, Apni Party was established to stand by the people who were in deep distress at that time.
He said, “After Article 370 was abrogated and the State was bifurcated into two UTs, Apni Party took the initiative to stand by our people, and we approached the Union government to ensure no demographic changes occur here and that the spatial rights of J&K people over jobs and agricultural land are protected.”
He further said, “We are committed to continuing our efforts to safeguard the fundamental and constitutional rights of the people in J&K. Furthermore, our aim is to create a peaceful environment here so that people do not suffer uncertainty and abnormality anymore. Our youth deserve a better future and an abundance of employment opportunities. Apni Party will do everything to ensure peace, prosperity, and development in this region.”
Bukhari strongly urged regional parties to stop befooling people and making them scapegoats for their own political gains. He said, “I urge political parties to stop deceiving people with emotional sloganeering and deceptive narratives.”
He added, “The J&K people have already suffered hugely due to the protracted conflict over the past more than three decades. We cannot afford further deaths and destruction here.”
Apni Party leader reiterated his demand for the release of the Valley’s prominent religious leaders, including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Moulana Abdul Rasheed Dawoodi, and Moulana Mushtaq Ahmad Veeri. Also, he urged the authorities to release those youngsters who have been kept in jails so that they can start their peaceful and normal lives with their families.
He urged people to contribute their efforts to sustainable peace in Jammu and Kashmir.
He said, “I strongly believe that solutions to our problems and issues will come from New Delhi, as the constitution of the country gives all the rights and protection to our rights. We are destined to be part of the country, as we have chosen to be with it. We have sacrificed a lot to be part of this democratic country.”
The party stalwarts present on the occasion included Mohammad Ashraf Mir, Muntazir Mohiuddin, Haji Parvez Ahmad, Noor Mohammad Sheikh, Aftab Malik, Dilshada Shaheen, Mohammad Shafi, Wajahat Ahmad, Jeelani Kumar, Adil Ahmad, Muhsin Qayoom, Aijaz Ahmad, Imtiaz Ahmad, Hilal Ahmed, and others.
