Srinagar, Jul 29: Separatists have called for shutdown in Jammu and Kashmir on August 05 and 06 to protest against a “politically-motivated move” to “abrogate Article 35-A”.
Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik met at Hyderpora today to discuss and deliberate the “serious challenge” posed to Article 35-A in the Supreme Court.
In a statement issued by the JRL, the trio said challenging Article 35-A in Indian Supreme Court is one more serious assault launched against the people of Kashmir by the powers in New Delhi.
“The attempt to change the demography of Jammu and Kashmir and insidiously destroy its disputed nature has always been on the agenda of BJP/RSS and the challenge to 35-A in the Indian Supreme Court is a serious part of that plan.
“Once the hereditary state subject laws are done away with, it will pave way for settling outsiders in Jammu and Kashmir in hordes. And as part of the BJP/RSS plan Kashmiris will become a minority in their own land and that day will not be far when like Palestinians, Kashmiris will be pushed to the margins of their land and rendered homeless,” the statement said.
It said JRL wants to make it clear to the Government of India that Kashmiris will not take this attack on them lying low. “Any and every attempt made at changing the demographic nature of the state will be stiffly resisted. They can kill us or detain us, but we won’t succumb to pressure tactics,” the statement said.
JRL said it is in touch with all segments of society including the legal fraternity, traders, civil society members, academia and others and there is complete unanimity and cohesion among all with regard to resisting and fighting this serious assault together.
JRL said that on 5th and 6th of August a complete protest strike will be observed throughout the state, and people will register their total disapproval and resistance to this “politically-motivated move”.
They warned that “a mass agitation of hitting and occupying streets will be launched if any tinkering with Article 35-A is allowed to take place under a legal garb, the consequences of which will be entirely on those perpetuating such mischievous ploys against people of J&K.”
Praising the resilience and courage of people, JRL asked them to be ready “as there is every apprehension that as always, there may be a mass crackdown against leadership and political activists by the ruling dispensation and they may be gagged arrested and jailed.”
In that case, JRL appealed people to be strong and carry forward the agitation against this assault.
