SRINAGAR: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Friday asserted that the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood should be pursued through political dialogue rather than court intervention, calling it a “political issue, not a legal battle.”
Speaking to reporters after unfurling the national flag at the party headquarters in Srinagar on Independence Day, Bukhari expressed doubts over the motives of those who approached the Supreme Court with a petition on statehood. “We don’t know who they are. But if they are from the same political quarters that went to court against the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A, they should know such moves have only harmed our cause in the past,” he said.
The Apni Party chief recalled that the challenge to Article 370’s abrogation eventually ended with the Supreme Court upholding the Centre’s decision. “Political disputes should be settled politically. Taking them to court often complicates matters and damages public interest,” he added, vowing to expose those “habitually” taking political matters to judicial forums.
Bukhari also called upon both the Union Territory and Central governments to verify the identity and credentials of the petitioners in the statehood case.
The Independence Day ceremony was held with subdued celebrations, in solidarity with the victims of the devastating Kishtwar cloudburst. Extending his greetings to the people on the 79th Independence Day, Bukhari said, “Today is a day of pride for our nation, but our hearts are heavy with grief over the loss of precious lives in Kishtwar. We stand with the affected families in this hour of tragedy.”
Senior leaders including Ghulam Hassan Mir, Mohammad Dilawar Mir, Mohammad Ashraf Mir, Muntazir Mohiudin, Yawar Mir, Dilshad Shaheen, Raja Manzoor, and several others attended the flag-hoisting event.
