August 5 marks painful chapter in our recent history: Altaf Bukhari

Srinagar, Aug 5: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Tuesday said that the constitutional changes made by the Centre on August 5, 2019, left deep scars on the hearts and minds of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

On the sixth anniversary of the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari wrote on his X handle: “August 5 is a painful reminder of a dark moment in our recent history. On this day in 2019, the sudden and sweeping constitutional changes by Centre left deep scars on the hearts and minds of the people in Jammu and Kashmir. I have said it before, and I will say it again: New Delhi must uphold the dignity and democratic rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The restoration of these rights is not an act of generosity—it is a constitutional and moral obligation.”

He further said, “This region has gone through a prolonged phase of violence and bloodshed. The people have suffered immensely over the past several decades, and therefore they long for peace, justice, and dignity—fundamental aspirations that can no longer be ignored.”

“This is the right time for New Delhi to initiate a genuine, inclusive, and meaningful dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir in order to address their issues and grievances and move toward a lasting resolution,” the X post further reads.