Srinagar, Aug 30 (JKNS): BJP J&K Spokesperson Altaf Thakur on Sunday strongly criticised Mirwaiz Umar Farooq for calling upon political parties to unite for the restoration of Article 370, saying that such statements were an attempt to provoke people and disturb the peaceful atmosphere that has emerged in Kashmir after years of violence.
Thakur said Parliament had taken a historic constitutional decision on August 5, 2019, and the Supreme Court had subsequently upheld the abrogation of Article 370.
“Mirwaiz Umar Farooq should understand that Article 370 is not coming back. Parliament has buried Article 370 forever and no political party, leader or pressure group can reverse that constitutional reality,” Thakur said.
He said such calls risked dragging Kashmir back into the politics of the past.
“Statements of this nature are meant to provoke people and vitiate the peaceful atmosphere in the Valley once again. This will never be allowed. The nation has paid a very heavy price for the return of peace to Kashmir. The sacrifices of our brave security forces and civilians, including political workers who laid down their lives for peace and democracy, cannot be allowed to be undermined or challenged through politically motivated statements,” Thakur said.
He said Kashmir had witnessed enough bloodshed, shutdowns, stone-pelting and disruption, and the people should not be pushed towards another cycle of instability.
“Those who attempt to revive old fault lines must understand that Kashmir has moved ahead. Our youth want education, employment, entrepreneurship, investment, tourism and opportunities. They do not want to return to an era when shutdown calendars dictated their lives and violence dictated the future,” he said.
Thakur said political parties were free to express their views within the constitutional framework, but attempts to create agitation around an issue that had already been constitutionally settled would serve no purpose.
“Democracy gives everyone the right to speak and participate, but democracy cannot be reduced to repeatedly demanding the reversal of a constitutional decision that has already been upheld by the highest court of the country,” he said.
On the issue of statehood, Thakur said the BJP had made its position clear that statehood would be restored at an appropriate time.
“There is a clear distinction between statehood and Article 370. Statehood will be restored at an appropriate time, as has been stated by the Government. But there is absolutely no question of bringing back Article 370. Those spreading confusion on this issue should stop misleading the people,” he said.
Thakur accused those seeking to revive the Article 370 debate of ignoring the aspirations of the younger generation.
“The youth of Jammu and Kashmir are looking towards a future of peace, prosperity and opportunity. They want universities, jobs, businesses, better connectivity, tourism and modern infrastructure. They do not want to inherit the politics of fear, boycott and violence,” he said.
He said political parties should compete on development and governance rather than reopening issues that had already been settled constitutionally.
“Let there be a healthy political contest over employment, education, healthcare, tourism, investment and development. Let leaders tell the people what they can deliver rather than promising something that has no constitutional or legal possibility,” Thakur said.
He further said the sacrifices made over the past decades should not be forgotten.
“We cannot allow the sacrifices of security personnel, innocent civilians and political workers who stood firmly for democracy to be rendered meaningless. Every family that lost a loved one to terrorism has paid a price for the peace we see today. Nobody has the right to endanger that hard-earned peace for political expediency,” he said.
Thakur also appealed to the people, particularly the youth, not to fall prey to attempts to reopen old divisions.
“Kashmir’s future belongs to its young people. They must not allow anyone to take them back to a past of violence and uncertainty. The new Kashmir must be built through education, enterprise, democracy and peace,” he said.
He said the BJP would continue to oppose any attempt to create fear, confusion or instability in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Article 370 is history. Statehood will come at the appropriate time. Democracy will continue to deepen and development will continue. But there will be no return to the politics of violence, separatism and disruption,” Thakur said. (JKNS)
