Srinagar, Aug 4 : On the second anniversary of the Article 370 revocation and bifurcation of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state into two union territories, the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) on Wednesday J&K remains “as far from Delhi and from the Dil (heart) of India as it has ever been.”
“August 5 marks the completion of two years since the unprecedented assault on the constitution of India was taken to nullify Article 370 of the constitution, thereby damaging the very bond of our relationship with union of India,” PAGD spokesman Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami said in a statement to Kashmir Despatch.
“By demolishing the constitution of Jammu & Kashmir by the Government it has crossed all the limits of constitutionality.”
The PAGD is an alliance of six parties in Jammu and Kashmir, including the NC and the PDP, formed in the aftermath of the GoIs August 2019 decision to nullify Article 370 and split J&K into two union territories. The group’s public stand is for the restoration of the special status of the ‘state’ of J&K
“Downgrading historic state of Jammu & Kashmir and dividing it into two separate union territories without the consent of the people and also ignoring the Resolution adopted by J&K legislature on 03 March 2004 to preserve the unity and the secular character of Jammu & Kashmir state has set a precedent that any state can cease to exist as a state and can be carved up into any number of fragments any time, by placing it under Governors Rule,” the PAGD’s spokesman said. “Thereby the very existence of a state becomes a matter of central discretion, a substantial step towards a unitary state.”
The abrogation of Article 35A made the status of permanent residents redundant, he said. “Protection of Jobs and land rights was removed arbitrarily which deepened the alienation and sense of insecurity in all the regions,” he said, adding, “The economy of J&K has virtually collapsed as tourism, trade agriculture, horticulture and Handicraft sectors were badly hit.
Employment opportunities are shrinking. Is Corruption any less and Governance any better? The fact remains not a single claim stands the test of the scrutiny.”
He said a process of “throttling of democracy and democratic rights was initiated. The clampdown and continuous restrictions on the movement and association of the people and gagging the media has resulted in forced silence.”
“Over the last two years it has become amply clear why the GoI was so insistent on taking such drastic unlawful measures during these two years we have seen that people of J&K are being ripped apart into smaller units, ripped off their jobs and rights over the natural resources that are theirs,” he said, adding, “Unconscionable suppression of civil and democratic rights continues unabated. Indiscriminate arrests and harassment of all sections of our people including employees on different pretexts continues and issuing dictates like the recent one not to provide clearance for passport and govt. services anyone involved in “ law and order and stone pelting cases” is one more addition.”
Tarigami said “adverse police report “ cannot be a substitute for being found guilty in a court of law. This, he said, amounts to violation of the most scared principles of the justice system.
“The hoax of BJP’s Naya Kashmir is a joke now. The people have started questioning those in authority as what they have achieved by destroying the Naya Kashmir which came into being through protracted historic struggle of the people of Jammu & Kashmir,” the PAGD spokesman said, adding, “And empowered the people of all the regions and communities with dignity by liberating them from the shackles of authoritarian monarchy and ruthless feudalism.”
He said It was hoped that the government of India would realize the futility of its decisions viz-a-viz August 05 2019.
“The recent participation of J&K Leaders with the PM was a leap of faith on that hope but none of the measures required to begin rebuilding the shattered confidence of the people of J&K has been taken ,” he said, adding, “J&K remains as far from Delhi and from the Dil (heart) of India as it has ever been. Rather the distances are further widening and disheartening is deepening.”
The PAPD, he said, “earnestly appeal to all sections of our people in each region and community to remain united and not to fall prey to the false and slanderous campaigns and divisive attempts aiming at dividing and disarming our people.”
“We are sure that at this time of serious crises we shall not succumb but continue our struggle in defence of our rights using every opportunity through peaceful and legal means,” Tarigami added.
