BJP's Hoax of a 'Naya Kashmir' a Joke, PAGD Says on Second Anniversary of Article 370 Move

Srinagar, August 4: In a statement released on Wednesday – a day before the second anniversary of the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A and the following bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into union territories – the PAGD summed up the aftermath of the Centre's August 5, 2019, decision, calling it "damaging [to] the very bond of our relationship with union of India". It added that the hoax of BJP's "Naya Kashmir" was a joke now as people have started questioning the futility of the move.

It appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to stand united and said “we shall not succumb but continue our struggle in defence of our rights using every opportunity through peaceful and legal means."

"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 the Union of India. By demolishing the Constitution of Jammu & Kashmir, the government has crossed all limits of constitutionality," PAGD spokesperson and senior CPI(M) leader M.Y. Tarigami said in a statement here.

The PAGD – an amalgam of various mainstream parties in Jammu and Kashmir, including the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – said it was hoped that the central government would realise the futility of its decisions of August 5, 2019.

"The recent participation of J&K leaders (in a meeting) with the prime minister 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. 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...," Tarigami said.

He said downgrading the historic state of Jammu and Kashmir and dividing it into two separate union territories without the consent of the people and also ignoring the resolution adopted by the J&K legislature on March 3, 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 Governor's Rule.

"Thereby the very existence of a state becomes a matter of central discretion, a substantial step towards a unitary state,” the statement said.

"The hoax of BJP's Naya Kashmir is a joke now. The people have started questioning those in authority as to what they have achieved by destroying Jammu and Kashmir," the PAGD leader said.

Referring to the abrogation of Article 35-A that made the status of permanent residents redundant, the statement said the protection of jobs and land rights was removed arbitrarily which deepened the alienation and sense of insecurity in all the regions.

"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.

He said the PAGD earnestly appeals to all sections of the 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 said.

The PAGD 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 government of India was so insistent on taking such drastic unlawful measures. 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,” Tarigami said.

The statement said the “unconscionable suppression of civil and democratic rights continues unabated. Indiscriminate arrests and harassment of all sections of our people, including government employees, on different pretexts continues and issuing dictates like the recent one not to provide clearance for passport and government services anyone involved in ‘law and order and stone pelting cases’ is one more addition.

"Adverse police report ‘cannot be a substitute for being found guilty’ in a court of law. This amounts to violation of the most scared principles of the justice system,” he said.

Here is the PAGD's statement in full:

1. August 05 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 . By demolishing the constitution of Jammu & Kashmir by the Government it has crossed all the limits of constitutionality

2. 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. Thereby the very existence of a state becomes a matter of central discretion, a substantial step towards a unitary state.

3. The abrogation of Article 35 A made the status of permanent residents redundant . Protection of Jobs and land rights was removed arbitrarily which deepened the alienation and sense of insecurity in all the regions . 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 Goverence any better? The fact remains not a single claim stands the test of the scrutiny .

4. 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.

5. 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. 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 any one involved in “ law and order and stone pelting cases” is one more addition . “ Adverse police report “ can not be a substitute for being found guilty in a court of law . This amounts to violation of the most scared principles of the justice system .

6. 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. And empowered the people of all the regions and communities with dignity by liberating them from the shackles of authoritarian monarchy and ruthless feudalism.

7. It was hoped that the Govt of India would realise 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 . 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 dis heartening is deepening.

We 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.