Jammu, Aug 04: The BJP unit of Jammu and Kashmir is holding several programmes on Saturday to celebrate ‘August 5’ in a festive way at various places across the Union Territory by involving the “beneficiaries” of the abrogation of Article 370.
The party said that Paharis, Gaddis, West Pakistan Refugees, Gorkhas, Valmiki Samaj, SC and ST communities and other beneficiaries will celebrate the day by holding various programmes.
“Different Morchas and units of the BJP will celebrate August 05 in a festive way with the beneficiaries of Article 370 tomorrow,” BJP State Press Secretary, Dr Pardeep Mahotra told Rising Kashmir, adding, “The concerned Morchas and units of the party like Mahila Morcha, OBC Cell, SC & ST Morcha and others will celebrate the day with the beneficiaries in a big way.”
J&K BJP president Ravinder Raina told Rising Kashmir that the matter regarding the abrogation of Article 370 is sub-judice and, therefore, the BJP can’t hold celebrations on its own as a party.
“We respect the judiciary and won’t hold celebrations as a party,” Raina said, adding, “The beneficiaries of the revocation of Article 370 are celebrating on their own and the BJP leaders are free to be part of the celebrations.”
It is worth mentioning here that 22,160 families of West Pakistan Refugees have become permanent residents of J&K after the abrogation of Article 370. The WPRs can now vote in the Assembly, Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies (ULB) elections in J&K. They can now have also government jobs here.
Similarly, the Gorkha community can also vote in the Assembly, ULB and Panchayat elections in J&K. The Valmiki Samaj is also living a “dignified life” in J&K since the abrogation of Article 370 on August 05, 2019.
