Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari, on Saturday, said that the abrogation of J&K’s special status and statehood have 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, the Apni Party Chief expressed his hope that the Supreme Court, which is currently reviewing the petitions related to Articles 370 and 35A, would restore these abrogated articles.
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 made the identity of J&K people suspicious.
Apni Party President said that the Article 370 and 35A were related to the identity of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Even though these constitutional Articles were hallowed 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,” he said.
Bukhari said that post-August 2019, when the entire state of J&K was under chaos and uncertainty, Apni Party was established just to stand by the people who were in deep distress at that time.
“After Article 370 was abrogated, Apni Party took the initiative to stand by our people, and we approached the Union government to ensure no demographic changes occurs here and the rights of J&K people over jobs and agricultural land are protected,” he 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 here 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,” he added.
Bukhari strongly urged the regional parties to stop befooling people and making them scapegoats for their own political gains. He said,
“I urge the political parties to stop deceiving people with emotional sloganeering and deceptive narratives.”
“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,” he said.
