Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Saturday lashed out at the ruling BJP’s aggressive and destructive policies about J&K and its people.
He was addressing a party convention at the Samba constituency in Jammu, where people and the party workers greeted him rousingly on his arrival at the venue.
According to a press release, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari while taking a dig at the BJP blamed the ruling party in Delhi for trying to undermine the constitutional and political rights of the J&K people.
He said, “It is disturbing to see that new aggressive laws undermining the rights and interests of J&K are being brought into effect here with each passing day.”
“The latest, in this regard, are the new land lease rules, which might terminate the old leases here.” He added.
He also denounced the BJP government for not restoring statehood to J&K, and not holding assembly elections here. He said, “They say that the promise of abrogation of article 370 was in their election manifesto. But, then why did they also snatch the statehood away and divided J&K into two union territories? And, why don’t they hold elections here even after a state of normalcy is restored here? These things are creating apprehensions among the masses.”
“To elect their own representatives to place them at the helm of affairs is a democratic right of the people, and they cannot be deprived of this right for so long without any plausible reason,” he added.
Emphasising on unity among the people of Jammu and the Valley, and urging them to maintain harmony, Apni Party President said, “People of both regions ought to stand united and maintain harmony so that they can protect their constitutional rights and mutual interests. We need to initiate a movement to demand our rights such as the restoration of statehood, holding of immediate assembly polls, and reversal of hostile laws which have been brought into effect for the past some time. Jammu and Valley is a single unit and people must understand that they have mutual interests to protect. You must stand united and assert your rights.”
He assured that the Apni Party will not leave any stone unturned to protect the interests of Jammu and Kashmir.
He said, “When there was chaos and uncertainty across the J&K post-August 5, 2019, and people were apprehensive of losing their identity and even basic rights, Apni Party took the initiative and raised its voice in the corridors of power at New Delhi. We ensured agricultural land and jobs are secured for the J&K people only. We made the Union Govt announce that people of J&K will not lose their exclusive rights on the agricultural land and jobs in J&K. Similarly, we will keep striving to resist all the hostile laws and unfriendly policies of the government.”
In his hour-long speech, Syed Mohamad Altaf Bukhari talked about the issues of the daily wagers, intensifying corruption, rising unemployment, irregularities in the selection of job aspirants, illegal mining, handing over projects to outside contractors, and so on. He promised that the Apni Party, if it gets a mandate, will ensure justice in all these matters. He said, “Political dynasties and even BJP leaders of Jammu and Kashmir will not dare to talk about all these matters. But the Apni Party will never shy away from saying the truth to the power, that be, in New Delhi.”
“We are among the people and we will stand by the people that may come. We will never allow any injustice, discrimination, and violence of the people’s rights.” He added.
Party’s Senior Vice President Ghulam Hassan Mir while addressing the convention stressed the unity among the J&K people irrespective of their caste, creed, religion or geographical identities. He said, “We are one and we must understand that our unity is our strength. Our unity will enable us the power to ensure peace, prosperity, and the development of Jammu and Kashmir.”
On valence and hostile politics, Ghulam Hassan Mir said, “Until a few years ago, Kashmir was recognized as a place of turmoil and violence. The Apni Party made efforts to make our youth understand the fact that violence is our enemy and peace is our power. Apni Party believes that J&K people can get everything that matters to them through peaceful and political means.”
Party’s Provincial President Manjit Singh while addressing the convention urged people to join hands with Apni Party. He said, Apni Party is working for a peaceful and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir. Peace and prosperity will eventually empower people politically and economically.” “However, the Apni Party needs full public support to ensure its people-friendly agenda is implemented properly.”
Besides Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari and Ghulam Hassan Mir, the prominent party leaders and senior workers who were present on the occasion included General Secretary Asgar Ali, Provincial President Manjit Singh, Provincial Vice President Faqir Nath, District President Samba Raman Thapa, Provincial General Secretary Arun Chibber, Provincial Secretary Dr. Rohit Gupta, State President Trade Wing Aijaz Kazmi, State Coordinator Saleem Alam, SC Wing Coordinator Bodh Raj Baghat, OBC Coordinator Madan Lal, State Vice President Youth Wing Raqeeq Khan, General Secretary Youth Wing Abhay Bakaya, Provincial President Youth Wing Vipul Bali, Provincial President Legal Wing Vipul Bali, Provincial President Legal Wing Vikram Rathore, Provincial President Trade Wing Raj Sharma, District President Legal Wing Sahil Bharti, District President Youth Wing Samba Mangat Ram, District President Trade Wing Anirudh Vasist, Senior District Vice President Youth Wing Sandeep Vaid, District Secretary Youth Wing Abhinav Gupta, District President ST Wing Arif Choudhray, Block President Ramgarh Bachan Lal Choudhary, Block President Vijaypur Mohan Lal Sharma, Babu Ram Bagat, Raman Sharma, Irshan Choudhary, and others.
Meanwhile, scores of people from various parts of Jammu joined the Apni Party today in presence of the party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari.
He greeted the new entrants into the party fold. The new entrants included Zorawar Singh, Narinder Singh, Minder Pal Sharma, Surjit Singh, Swarn Singh, Sunil Kumar Cheeku, Manmohan Singh (Pangdour wale), Surjeet Singh, Sucha Singh, Balwinder Singh, Sat Pal, Narinder Singh, and others.
