New Delhi: The Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] has adopted a resolution urging the immediate restoration of democracy in Jammu & Kashmir and the prompt conduct of assembly elections in the region.
This comes as the fourth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 and the dissolution of the state of Jammu and Kashmir is observed.
“August 5, 2023 marks the completion of four years since the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 being annulled and the state of Jammu and Kashmir dismantled. This assault on the Constitution and federalism presaged an all-round attack on the rights of citizens in Jammu and Kashmir,” read the resolution.
The last five years under Central rule have seen steps to alter the very identity of Jammu and Kashmir with change in domicile laws and land rights. There is a concerted move to change the demography of the state, it alleged.
“The period has seen large-scale detention of political leaders and activists using draconian laws like the Public Safety Act and UAPA. Hundreds of political prisoners are still in detention, many of them in jails outside J&K.
“Despite tall claims, the economic situation has deteriorated with high unemployment, estimated to be three times of the national average. The livelihood of different sections of the people like apple growers and small business owners have been adversely affected.”
The CPI (M) claimed that the media has faced severe state repression. “Guidelines have been imposed imposing censorship and curbing freedom of expression. Various journalists are under detention under the draconian laws,” it alleged.
“The basic denial of democracy and democratic rights of the people is seen most acutely in the failure to hold assembly elections to the J&K assembly. Even after a delimitation exercise that was weighted to favour BJP’s interests and reducing the representation of the people of Kashmir valley, the Central government is not holding elections.”
“Thus, in all respects, the people of J&K have been reduced to second class citizens. The Central Committee of the CPI(M), therefore, demands that elections be held to the J&K assembly immediately.”
It said the restoration of democracy requires the release of all political prisoners and an end to the use of draconian laws to suppress the political opposition and the media. “The Centre should reverse all the measures that erode the domicile status of the permanent residence of J&K and protect their land rights,” it said.
“The Central Committee expresses solidarity with the democratic forces and the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their struggle to restore their rights.”
