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| Art 370 anniversary divides J&K: NC, PDP, Cong protest, BJP celebrates | | |  Sanjay Pandita
Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 5: Contrasting political narratives played out across Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday as the ruling National Conference (NC), opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Congress and Apni Party staged protests against the abrogation of Article 370, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) celebrated the seventh anniversary of the constitutional change, describing it as a historic milestone that transformed the Union Territory.
The anniversary of the August 5, 2019 decision, through which the Centre revoked the special status of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated it into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, witnessed demonstrations, restrictions on political activities and sharp exchanges between rival political parties.
The ruling National Conference observed the day by holding a protest at its Srinagar headquarters, demanding the restoration of Article 370, Article 35-A and statehood.
Party leaders and workers carrying placards reading "Restore Special Status" attempted to march towards the city centre but were stopped by police after authorities denied permission for rallies and public demonstrations.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah did not participate in the protest as he was on an official visit to flood-affected areas of Poonch district. However, he reiterated his party's commitment to restoring the constitutional and political rights of Jammu and Kashmir.
In a social media post, Omar Abdullah said his party had neither forgotten nor accepted the developments of August 5, 2019, and remained committed to reversing the decisions that, according to him, had taken away the rights and identity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Chief Minister's Political Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani said the protest was aimed at pressing for the restoration of constitutional guarantees that existed before August 5, 2019.
NC chief spokesperson and MLA Tanvir Sadiq alleged that despite carrying only placards, party leaders, Cabinet ministers and legislators were prevented from holding a peaceful protest outside the party headquarters.
The Peoples Democratic Party also observed the anniversary as a "Black Day" and organised protests in Srinagar despite restrictions imposed by the police.
Dozens of party workers assembled at the PDP headquarters, demanding restoration of Article 370 and statehood. Party leaders alleged that police prevented them from taking out a march towards Lal Chowk and sealed the office premises by deploying heavy police and paramilitary forces.
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti did not participate in the protest. However, senior leader Iltija Mufti and MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Para staged a demonstration on Sonwar Road.
Iltija Mufti alleged that the party was not allowed to hold a peaceful protest against the abrogation of Article 370.
The Congress also observed the anniversary as a "Black Day" by organising separate protests in Srinagar and Jammu.
In Srinagar, party workers gathered at the Congress headquarters on Maulana Azad Road wearing black clothes and black headbands. They alleged that police prevented them from taking out a protest march.
Young Congress leader Waleed Karra said the party considered the abrogation of Article 370 unconstitutional and demanded restoration of statehood along with constitutional safeguards for Jammu and Kashmir.
In Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee leaders led by Working President Raman Bhalla staged a protest outside Rajiv Bhawan at Shaheedi Chowk.
The protesters raised slogans against the Central Government and attempted to burn effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Police intervened and prevented the protesters from proceeding beyond Shaheedi Chowk by erecting barricades.
Congress leaders alleged that the constitutional changes of August 5, 2019, had deprived the people of Jammu and Kashmir of their rights over jobs, land and statehood.
The Apni Party also held a protest inside its Church Lane office in Srinagar. Party leaders claimed they were not allowed to move outside the premises to hold a public demonstration.
Ahead of the anniversary, Jammu and Kashmir Police had issued an advisory directing people not to organise protests, rallies, processions or public gatherings without prior permission from the competent authority.
The advisory warned that any violation of the legal provisions would invite strict action in accordance with law and appealed to the public to maintain peace and order.
In contrast, the BJP celebrated the seventh anniversary by distributing sweets and beating drums at party offices in Jammu and Srinagar.
BJP leaders described the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35-A as a landmark decision that integrated Jammu and Kashmir fully with the rest of the country and accelerated development.
BJP MLA Yudhvir Sethi said the constitutional change had ended terrorism, separatism, stone-pelting and frequent shutdowns while paving the way for rapid infrastructure development and the establishment of premier institutions such as AIIMS, IIT and IIM in Jammu and Kashmir.
He criticised political parties observing the day as a "Black Day" and asserted that Article 370 could never be restored.
At the BJP headquarters in Srinagar, party leaders also hailed the 2019 decision, claiming it had significantly reduced violence, strengthened peace and boosted tourism and development across the Union Territory. |
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