Srinagar: Apni Party President, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, on Friday, said that the traditional political leaders have always been deceiving people for their own political gains and electoral benefits in Jammu and Kashmir.
He urged people not to continue falling prey to deceptive politics any longer.
Bukhari made these comments while addressing a party convention at Soibugh, in central Kashmir’s Budgam district, today.
The convention was attended by a large number of people. The event was significant because it marked the first public outreach campaign initiated by a mainstream political party in nearly four decades – — since 1987.
Recalling the sufferings and troubles that the people of this area have been facing for the past more than thirty years, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, “Back in 1987, an individual from this very locality attempted to place his trust in the power of the ballot box, seeking to bring about positive change for the people. But his well-deserved victory was denied, compelling them to opt for bullets instead of ballots.”
“However, the path of the violence brought only miseries and troubles to the people of this place and elsewhere across J&K. Today, we know for sure that the path of violence brought only misery and turmoil to the people of this region and beyond in J&K. Today, we are certain that violence is by no means a solution to our problems,” he added.
Urging people to contribute their efforts for a peaceful environment in Jammu and Kashmir, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said that sustained peace would eventually pave the way for the prosperity and development of this land and its people.
He expressed the Apni Party’s unwavering commitment to fostering lasting peace, sustained prosperity, and equivalent development in the region of Jammu and Kashmir. He promised that the Apni Party would ensure the economic and political empowerment of the people.
“We are destined to be Indians, and I firmly believe that everything necessary for the prosperity and development of this region will come from New Delhi. The solutions to our problems lie within Delhi. However, it is our responsibility to foster a peaceful environment here, enabling the benefits of peace to take root,” he said.
Talking about the abrogated articles 370 and 35A, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari expressed his hope that the Supreme Court, which is currently hearing the petitions regarding these revoked constitutional provisions, would deliver justice to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“For a while now, I’ve asserted that only the Supreme Court possesses the authority to restore what was taken away from us on August 5, 2019. I am hopeful that the apex court will indeed grant justice to the people of this region,” he remarked.
“From New Delhi, we are not demanding the moon and stars. We simply seek the rights that the constitution of our country guarantees us. Our fundamental and constitutional rights are sufficient for us to lead a dignified, peaceful, and prosperous life. We should no longer be deprived of these rights,” he added.
He emphasised the importance of working towards a brighter future for the younger generation and stated, “Our youth are our future. We cannot tolerate any form of uncertainty or turmoil here, as these factors impede the potential for a better future for our youth. Our youth need a peaceful environment and opportunities to lead prosperous lives.”
He assured that the Apni Party would persistently work towards creating a favourable and peaceful environment in J&K.
Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari demanded the government allow religious organisations like Jamaat-e-Islami to perform their social and religious duties, and release prominent religious leaders including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Moulana Abdul Rasheed Dawoodi, Moulana Mushtaq Ahmad Veeri, and others so that they could help to restrain social evils, primarily the prevailing drug menace in society.
Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari urged the government to permit religious organisations like Jamaat-e-Islami to fulfil their social and religious responsibilities, enabling them to contribute to the curbing of social issues, particularly the prevailing drug menace in society.
The Party’s Senior Vice President, Ghulam Hassan Mir, addressed the convention and elaborated on how the Apni Party played a role in ensuring that there was no demographic change in Jammu and Kashmir post-August 5, 2019, and the people of this region continue to retain their exclusive rights on jobs and agricultural land here.
