Srinagar, Aug 5 (Representative) Ahead of the third anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) reiterated that it would continue its fight using all peaceful, legal and democratic means to reverse August 5, 2019 decision. The party leaders requested the Chief Justice of India to constitute the bench to begin hearings in the matter. “Hon’ble Chief Justice had committed to doing this as soon as the summer break ended. That has happened a few weeks ago, we hope the honourable CJI will convene the bench and start hearings in the matter,” a joint statement by party leaders said. “The day (August 5,2019) will always be remembered when the rights and dignity of people of J&K were illegally snatched away following the unilateral, and unconstitutional abrogation of Articles 370, 35 A,” the statement added.
The day, they said, marks the “unceremonious breaching of sacred commitments made to people of J&K in order to uphold the political agenda of BJP and the RSS”. Meanwhile, the Peoples Conference termed August 5, 2019 as a “dark day” in J&K’s history. “August 5 will perpetually be remembered as a dark day and a day of disempowerment in the history of J&K. It is a reminder of the humiliation that people of J&K were subjected to three years ago,” the PC statement said.“Post August 5, 2019 the so called NC-PDP alliance and the BJP government at the Centre have miserably failed to keep their commitments. While former has endorsed further decline by their deceptive conduct in the political identity of J&K the latter is continuing to disempower masses of the erstwhile state of J&K,” the statement read.
“Though as an eyewash, senior leaders of the government had assured the nation on the floor of the house that our rights will be restored to heal the wounds inflicted on the people of J&K. However, three years have passed but they have failed to even give the rights to the state to have a representative government. While the citizens of this country outside J&K enjoy the basic right of electing their own representatives, it is a pity that the people of J&K have been denied this very basic right in a functioning democracy,” it added. “We will consult all stakeholders, people across the board and engage all elements in society to reach a consensus on how to pursue the legitimate fight for rights and dignity of the people of J&K,” it said.