SUHAIL KHAN
SRINAGAR, NOV 06: A resolution passed in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly has sparked an overwhelmingly positive response from political parties in the Kashmir Valley, urging the Centre to initiate dialogue with elected representatives for restoring the special status of the erstwhile state.
CPI (M) MLA from Kulgam, M.Y. Tarigami, praised the assembly’s decision, calling the resolution ‘historic.’ In his statement to Kashmir Despatch, Tarigami highlighted his party’s unwavering commitment to the cause. “It has been our commitment that we will restore what has been taken from us on August 5, 2019,” he declared. “Today, the House fulfilled its promise by passing this resolution, demanding that the Government of India immediately start a dialogue for restoring Article 370.”
Former Chief Minister and PDP President Mehbooba Mufti offered a nuanced view, terming the resolution an ‘ambivalent move.’ Although she acknowledged the National Conference-led government’s effort, she criticized what she described as a ‘half-hearted approach’ in the resolution’s language. Mufti insisted her party, the PDP, remains committed to achieving the full restoration of the autonomy and status that existed on August 4, 2019.
The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Chief, Tariq Hameed Karra, echoed these sentiments, expressing his party’s support for the resolution while underscoring the importance of restoring constitutional and democratic rights to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “The resolution reflects the aspirations of the people who seek not only statehood but also the safeguarding of their cultural identity, land rights, jobs, and natural resources,” Karra stated. He condemned the BJP’s opposition to the resolution, stating that it shows a fundamental disconnect between the party’s political stance and the local populace’s wishes.
Expressing his endorsement, Waheed Para, PDP’s youth leader and MLA from Pulwama, described the resolution as a positive step. Speaking to Kashmir Despatch, Para commented, “This is a welcome move, reflecting the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. However, some wording in the resolution could have been stronger.” His comments hint at a broader desire within the region’s political landscape for a more assertive stance in the pursuit of restoring Kashmir’s pre-2019 status.
Congress Legislature Party leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir referenced the Congress Working Committee’s (CWC) resolution from August 5, 2019, which condemned the downgrading and bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir as “undemocratic” and “unconstitutional.” Mir noted that the public sentiment during the assembly elections demonstrated a collective opposition to the reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir, with the people seeking a restoration of their “dignity and honor.”
MLA Langate, Sheikh Khursheed, also lent conditional support to the resolution. However, he criticized the National Conference (NC) for a perceived lack of commitment, asserting that any resolution concerning Kashmir’s autonomy must include an unambiguous endorsement of both Article 370 and Article 35A, which he described as essential for Jammu and Kashmir’s unique identity within India.
The newly passed resolution, while marking a significant legislative step, has also underscored the complexities and mixed opinions surrounding Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and political future. While it has renewed hopes for dialogue and a possible path forward, it also reflects the diverse viewpoints of political stakeholders who continue to champion the unique cultural and constitutional identity of Jammu and Kashmir.
