Art-370 abrogation anniversary: BJP celebrates, opposition denounces the move

Srinagar, Aug 05: Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday celebrated 5th anniversary of Article 370 abrogation in Srinagar and hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision of absolute integration of J&K into the Union of India.

Several BJP activists led by party spokesperson Altaf Thakur held a celebratory event at party headquarters here in Jawahar Nagar Srinagar wherein the decision of August 05, 2019 was hailed.

The party activists on the occasion chanted slogans, saying the decision ensured absolute merger of Jammu & Kashmir into the Union of India.

They said the courageous decision of PM Modi led government in 2019 put end to terrorism in the region and paved way for a peaceful atmosphere in J&K.

Meanwhile several J&K opposition parties criticized BJP on its August 05. 2019 decision, and alleged their leaders have been locked up at homes to stop them from voicing their concern.

National Conference (NC) said the blatant suppression of mainstream democratic activities post August 05, 2019 serves to showcase the administration’s underlying fear and exposes the hollowness of their claims of progress over the past five years.

“The Government has once again unjustly placed our leaders under house arrest. This blatant suppression of mainstream democratic activities only serves to showcase the administration's underlying fear and exposes the hollowness of their claims of progress over the past five years,” JKNC in a statement said.

It said, “August 5, 2019, remains a stark reminder of the disempowerment of the people of J&K, a process that continues unchecked with the absence of a democratically elected government in the region”.

“The unilateral and undemocratic decisions made on August 5, 2019, are a betrayal of the promises made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir by New Delhi. These decisions are unacceptable to the people of J&K, as demonstrated by the recent parliamentary election results in the region,” the statement said.

The Government has once again unjustly placed our leaders under house arrest, effectively isolating the party headquarters Nawa-e-Subha in Srinagar.

This blatant suppression of mainstream democratic activities only serves to showcase the administration's underlying fear and…

— JKNC (@JKNC_) August 5, 2024

It further said that “As far as JKNC is concerned, we will persist in our fight for the restoration of our abridged rights through democratic, legal, and peaceful means. The unjust actions of the government will not deter us from our mission to uphold the rights and freedoms of the people of Jammu and Kashmir”.

NC vice-president and former chief minister Omar Abdullah took on BJP for chocking dissent over Article 370 abrogation.

Taking to micro-blogging site X (formerly twitter) Omar said: “This is what passes for democracy & free speech in J&K. A handful of BJP “leaders” are encouraged to celebrate today while those who would have registered their protest against what was done to J&K are locked up in homes across the valley”.

This is what passes for democracy & free speech in J&K. A handful of BJP “leaders” are encouraged to celebrate today while those who would have registered their protest against what was done to J&K are locked up in homes across the valley. https://t.co/FT8yGLTwFs

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) August 5, 2024

PDP president and the former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti termed the August 05. 2019 as a “dark day” for J&K besides a “blot” on Indian democracy.

“5th August 2019 will go down in history not just as a dark day for J&K but a blot on Indian democracy. The day when a semi autonomous state was disempowered, dismembered & robbed of everything special & sacrosanct to us. Since then the state has been threatened into silence which is touted as ‘peace and normalcy’ to the rest of the country. Five years on the siege continues but so does the unyielding defiance & resistance. We Kashmiris refuse to be erased & unpeopled,” Mehbooba tweeted.

5th August 2019 will go down in history not just as a dark day for J&K but a blot on Indian democracy. The day when a semi autonomous state was disempowered, dismembered & robbed of everything special & sacrosanct to us. Since then the state has been threatened into silence which… pic.twitter.com/FNxQcJsYLc

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) August 5, 2024

Mehbooba's daughter Iltija Mufti claimed that the concerned Station House Officer had locked their gate and took the keys away.

If Kashmir is as normal as GOI claims it to be why does @JmuKmrPolice place us under illegal house arrest on 5th August every year ? The arrogance is such that SHO Nowgam has locked us up inside our own house & taken the keys away. Cops or new age jailers? You decide. pic.twitter.com/2GAAMZ8L0i

— Iltija Mufti (@IltijaMufti_) August 5, 2024

J&K Congress chief Vikar Rasool said that the party is observing today as 'Black Day' to protest against the "degradation of J&K from a state to a Union Territory."

Congress is observing ‘Black Day’ today to protest against the degrading J&K from a full-fledged historical State into two Union territories.

J&K was a historical state endowed by the Maharaja with a state subject to safeguard the land and jobs of the native population.

BJP… pic.twitter.com/ov1t0jc2HK

— Vikar Rasool Wani (@vikar_rasool) August 5, 2024

Peoples Conference president Sajad Lone said that August 5 will always be an ugly reminder of the complete disempowerment of the Kashmiri’s as there is no elected government in place for last five years.

“August 5 will always be an ugly reminder of the complete disempowerment of the Kashmiri people. Five years on there is no elected Assembly and the locals have no say in running their own affairs,” Lone in a tweet said.

August 5 will always be an ugly reminder of the complete disempowerment of the Kashmiri people. Five years on there is no elected Assembly and the locals have no say in running their own affairs.

And sadly there aren’t enough powerful voices in the country to seek questions as…

— Sajad Lone (@sajadlone) August 5, 2024

“And sadly there aren’t enough powerful voices in the country to seek questions as to why J and K has been selectively targeted for such humiliating existence,” he added.