Srinagar, Nov 6: Political parties in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday welcomed the resolution passed in the Legislative Assembly, which called for dialogue between the Centre and elected representatives to restore the special status of the erstwhile state.
CPI(M) MLA from Kulgam, M Y Tarigami, described the resolution as historic and congratulated the assembly members. He emphasized that it had been their commitment to restore what was taken away on August 5, 2019. “Today, the House fulfilled its promise by passing the resolution and demanding that the Government of India immediately begin the process of restoring Article 370 through dialogue,” he said.
The resolution, passed in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, urges the Centre to engage in talks with the elected representatives for the restoration of special status.
PDP youth leader and MLA from Pulwama, Waheed Para, also welcomed the resolution, calling it a positive step. “We wholeheartedly welcome it as it reflects the wishes of the people of J&K,” he said, though he added that some aspects of the resolution could have been stronger. “The condemnation of the August 5, 2019, move is missing, and it does not explicitly call for the restoration of special status,” he noted. Despite these concerns, he reaffirmed his party’s support for the restoration of the special status.
Peoples’ Conference chairman and MLA from Handwara, Sajad Lone, said that the actions of August 5, 2019, were against the will of the people of J&K. “Today, we have taken the first step to reject what was done then. The assembly has clearly stated that the revocation of Article 370 was morally, ethically, and legally wrong. This will be remembered in history as the day the people of J&K rejected it,” Lone remarked.
The Congress party, an alliance partner of the ruling National Conference, also voiced its support. Congress Legislature Party leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir called for the immediate restoration of statehood to J&K along with constitutional guarantees, including protection of land and job rights. “The Congress, through a resolution passed in its CWC on August 5, 2019, endorsed the people’s resentment against the downgrading and bifurcation of J&K, which was an undemocratic and unconstitutional move by the BJP-led government,” Mir said. He added that the people of J&K had shown strong opposition to the reorganization during the assembly elections, demanding the restoration of their dignity and rights.
