SRINAGAR: CPI(M) leader Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami on Tuesday said that on this fateful day, historic state of J&K was declared as UT and flag removed from Civil Secretariat. “Can this truly be seen as a celebration or an insult to the people of the erstwhile state of J&K?” he asked.
He further questioned the BJP government’s approach, saying, ‘Instead of introspection, the BJP government has declared this day as UT Divas without a face.’ Tarigami also raised concerns about the lack of development, job opportunities, and livelihood for the common people.
“How can this be a celebration when the state of J&K was dismantled and downgraded into two Union Territories? In parliament, the BJP government assured the people that statehood would be restored soon,” he said.
He pointed out that no state had been downgraded to a Union Territory after independence, while Union Territories were now seeking statehood. ‘The Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance from Ladakh are demanding full-fledged statehood,’ he added.
Tarigami criticised the BJP’s celebration of the day, calling it an insult to the people of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh. He concluded, ‘On this day, we register our strong protest against the unconstitutional moves of 5 August 2019, which resulted in downgrading and dismantling the historic State and disempowering the people of all regions.’
