The Opposition leaders led by Dr Farooq Abdullah, President of the National Conference, Tuesday unanimously decided to ‘hit the streets’ against the suspension of the Constitution in Jammu and Kashmir on October 10.
“The constitution is suspended and the democratic rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir are under attack. Today we all have decided to stage a peaceful protest on October 10 and are seeking necessary permission from the divisional commissioner,” Dr Abdullah flanked by the Peoples Democratic Party Chief Mehbooba Mufti and CPI(M) leader MY Tarigami told reporters after the over two-hour-long meeting at a hotel here.
The meeting of the opposition party leaders, convened by the President of the National Conference, was also attended by Vikar Rasool Wani, JKPCC Chief, along with former minister and working President Raman Bhalla, Panthers Party leader Harsh Dev Singh, Gulchain Singh Charak of Dogra Sadar Sabha, Muzaffar Shah of J&k Awami National Conference.
Several other representatives of different political outfits also attended the meeting under the chairmanship of Dr Abdullah and shared their feedback with regard to the emerging political situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
During the meeting, a threadbare discussion took place on a variety of issues in the wake of the current political scenario in Jammu and Kashmir and how to adopt their future strategy to counter the ruling dispensation.
Responding to a question from the media gallery with regard to today’s deliberations, Mohd Yousaf Tarigami of CPI(M) told reporters, “We have not organised any protest demonstrations so far. Now for the first time, we have decided to come together on the streets”.
Tarigami said, “We will defend the constitution, we will defend the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We will come on the streets, peacefully to send a message to the people of India to stand behind us and understand our pain in these difficult times.
“We do not trust this Government because it has deprived us of our rights by suspending the Constitution”, he added.
Earlier, answering one of the media persons Dr Abdullah said, “On one hand the Union Home Minister claims the situation is peaceful in Jammu and Kashmir and the Union Territory attained new heights and growth after the Abrogation of Article 370. Similarly, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also claims the situation is normal and the UT is recording progress on all fronts. At the same time, I also want to know why they have suspended the constitution of India here in J&K”.
Dr Abdullah said the government gave assurance to the people to hold Panchayat polls, Block development council polls, and Urban Local Bodies polls but overnight they have taken a U-turn and are shying away from conducting these polls. Dr Abdullah remarked it means claims made by the government during the G-20 meeting in Srinagar that the situation was normal and peaceful were not correct. I just fail to understand what is going on.