Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) chief Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Saturday urged the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fulfill his promise of holding a dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir to help bridge the gap between Kashmir and New Delhi.
He made this appeal today while addressing a meeting at the party headquarters here to discuss the current political situation and pressing public issues. Leaders and senior workers from the Budgam constituency, where by-elections were held recently, also attended the meeting, a party press release said.
Appealing to the Centre to initiate a “confidence-building outreach” to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Bukhari said, “New Delhi may or may not choose to talk to Pakistan — that decision rests entirely with the country’s leadership. But I urge the Prime Minister and the Home Minister to start a dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir without any further delay. Please fulfill your promise of bridging the gap between Kashmir and New Delhi. Restoring trust and confidence is of utmost importance.”
Addressing the central government, he said, “You will have to win the hearts and minds of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and you will have to bridge the existing gap of mistrust. The people of J&K are citizens of this country and hold the same rights as people in every other part of India. The harassment and intimidation of Kashmiri students and other communities living in different parts of the country must end.”
Speaking about the Apni Party’s vision and agenda, Bukhari said the party was formed in response to the crisis that followed the events of August 5, 2019.
He said, “Whatever happened on August 5, 2019, will remain a dark chapter in our history. The people of Jammu and Kashmir had an emotional attachment to Article 370, which was revoked on that day. Moreover, a state with more than two hundred years of history was bifurcated and reduced to two Union Territories. Ours was once a great state, with borders stretching from China on one side to Afghanistan on the other. Such an old and historic state was divided and downgraded on August 5.
“Following the August 5 event, the entire Jammu and Kashmir faced deep chaos and uncertainty. People feared losing the identity and demography of the region after the loss of statehood and special constitutional rights. A complete lockdown and communication blockade was imposed, and thousands of people were detained. Initially, we waited for the traditional leaders to respond to this chaotic situation.
“But, astonishingly, they chose to remain silent and did not speak for the people who were in great distress. That was the crucial moment when we had to decide how to fulfill our responsibility and how to stand in solidarity with our people during those difficult times,” Bukhari said,
“A group of like-minded people among us met and decided to approach the Central government to prevent any possible demographic change in J&K. It was not New Delhi approaching us, as some critics falsely claim to defame us. It was we who chose to meet the people in Delhi who were in positions of authority,” he added.
“At that time, it was Kashmir that needed help and protection. New Delhi did not need to approach the people of Kashmir — they had nothing to lose. That is why we went to the Centre. First, we were advised to meet the Lieutenant Governor here. We met the LG — most of us were former ministers and legislators.
“One of the traditional parties even removed 18 of its leaders simply for meeting the LG with us. That is when we felt the need to create a party of our own, so that our voice could be strong and effective. And, this is how and why Apni Party was established on March 8, 2002. We were 43 leaders, including 37 former ministers and former legislators, who formed this party,” Bukhari added.
He then went on to explain “how difficult it was to convince New Delhi to allow the people of J&K to retain their special rights over jobs and land”.
“Ultimately, we succeeded in obtaining an official assurance from the Government of India that the people of J&K would continue to have special rights over land and jobs here,” Bukhari claimed, adding that this was the “Apni Party’s first major success and contribution, and we are proud of that achievement.”
He said “we held meetings with the prime minister, the home minister, and other government leaders in broad daylight and in full view of the media, as we had nothing to hide.”
Bukhari urged all those associated with the party to hold their heads high, as they belong to an organisation “rooted in truth and integrity”.
“Unlike others, we do not lie or mislead people for our own political gains. We are the ones who succeeded in securing the return of special rights over land and jobs from New Delhi,” he claimed.
“Traditional leaders, over the decades, surrendered many key powers — whether it was the prime ministership, the Sadr-e-Riyasat, or jurisdiction to the Supreme Court and the Election Commission, and much more. Therefore, you should feel proud to be associated with the Apni Party,” he said.
