 Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Aug 7: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Friday said that "Apni Party is coming forward with a new vision and strategy to ensure that Jammu & Kashmir's lost dignity, status, and respect are restored, and that a brighter, more prosperous, and dignified future for its youth is secured."
He made these remarks today while addressing a workers' convention in Hajin Sonawari in Bandipora district. The event, which was attended by a large number of people-men and women, young and old-was organised by the party's in-charge for the Sonawari constituency, Imtiyaz Paray.
The party's Senior Vice President, Ghulam Hassan Mir, Provincial President for Kashmir, Mohammad Ashraf Mir, and several other leaders also addressed the convention.
Addressing the gathering, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said that he feels pained to see the helplessness of people, especially the youth in Jammu and Kashmir. He said, "I wonder how long our people will have to suffer. How long will FIRs continue to be registered against our youth, and how long will they be repeatedly summoned to police stations? On the one hand, our youth are living under a sense of insecurity; on the other, they are grappling with the lack of livelihood opportunities and rising unemployment.
Taking a dig at the National Conference for making people suffer by repeatedly changing its political positions and slogans over the past seven decades, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, "In 1947, the National Conference leadership took a decision and was rewarded with power. But just six years later, when that power was taken away, the same leadership backtracked from his own earlier decision. Then, another 22 years later, in 1975, it made yet another U-turn. For decades, this changing politics and constant political wandering came at a heavy cost to the people.
"But the story did not end there. Even after 1975, the NC continued to raise different slogans, at one time demanding autonomy and at another time taking a different position. At the same time, it did not hesitate to support New Delhi in gradually weakening Article 370, which had provided Jammu and Kashmir with special constitutional status," he added.
He also lashed out at the PDP, saying that another family-based party later came up with a different slogan, calling it "Self-Rule". He said that over the years, these family-based parties built political empires for themselves and enjoyed power, while the people were left to suffer. "How long will the people continue to suffer?" he asked.
Speaking about the Apni Party's vision, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, "We want to give solace to the people and help them come out of this miserable situation. People are made to suffer every now and then, and this must end. Apni Party is coming forward with a new vision and strategy to restore Jammu and Kashmir's lost dignity, status and respect, and to secure a brighter, more prosperous and dignified future for its youth." |
