Congress, NC’s silence over August 9 is hypocrisy: Hakeem Yaseen

Srinagar, Aug 3: Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) President and former Minister Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen on Saturday accused National Conference (JKNC) and Congress of “political hypocrisy and selective outrage”, questioning its decision to observe August 5 as a Black Day while conveniently ignoring August 9, the day when Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah was arrested in 1953 by the then Congress-led government.

Addressing a party convention in Wetred Kachwari, Khansahib, Yaseen said that while the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, deserves condemnation and resistance, JKNC’s silence on the betrayal of its own founder in 1953 reflects a double standard driven by political convenience rather than principle, said a press release.

Yaseen questioned the selective outrage of JKNC and Congress, stating that although the party is preparing to observe August 5 as a Black Day which he acknowledged as genuine and justified due to the abrogation of Article 370 they have conveniently forgotten August 9, a day they once also marked as Black Day to protest the arrest of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah in 1953.

“It is true that August 5 should be observed as Black Day, as Article 370 was snatched from us. We also urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to restore the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir with full dignity and honour. But why this selective memory when it comes to August 9? Who was responsible for that Black Day? Why is JKNC silent now?” Yaseen asked.